1. Posted by http://MillCityTimes.com
TO: Innovation and Development Committee
FROM: Don Siggelkow, Assistant Superintendent for Development Services
DATE: September 21, 2011
SUBJECT: Study Item on a Loring Park Conservancy Framework
Background
The Board of Commissioners have held three study sessions to discuss the concept of a
conservancy at Loring Park. Tupper Thomas, former Director of the Prospect Park
Conservancy in Brooklyn, New York has been a valuable resource in the discussions. In
addition, a work team met and discussed how a conservancy could work in our park system.
The work team was comprised of:
Anita Tabb – District Four Commissioner
Bob Fine – City-Wide Commissioner
Ray Harris – Loring Park Neighborhood Resident
Tupper Thomas – Former Executive Director for the Prospect Park Alliance
Don Siggelkow – Assistant Superintendent for Development
Cecily Hines - Minneapolis Parks Foundation President
Shortly after the Board held a third study session on the conservancy concept, a public meeting
was hosted by Citizen’s for Loring Park to engage the community in the discussion. Valuable
insights were garnered from that meeting and subsequent meetings with Citizen’s for Loring
Park.
To progress the discussion on whether a conservancy would be a viable concept for Loring
Park, the Board will be presented with an operational framework. The framework is outlined
below and is based on the Board study sessions and the community discussions. This
st
framework will be presented and discussed by the Board at the September 21 Innovation
Committee meeting. The Board will vote on the framework at the October 5th Innovation
Committee Meeting and the October 19th Board Meeting. If approved, the framework will be
presented in a series of public meetings to be held through the winter months. A draft
agreement will be presented to the Board at the conclusion of the public meetings based on the
community input from the public meeting series.

2. Posted by http://MillCityTimes.com
Draft Framework for a Park Conservancy Model
9/21/2011
1. The conservancy will undergo an evaluation commencing in the fourth year and a review
and decision by the Board in year five on the future of the conservancy.
2. The conservancy role is to enhance the maintenance level of the park, enhance
programming in the park and raise funds and make improvements to the park.
3. The parkland remains in control of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
4. The Conservancy will not make public policy decisions about parkland.
5. The Park Board will retain final authority on all decisions about the park.
6. All Park Board policies on community engagement will be adhered to by a conservancy.
7. The Policing functions in the park will remain with the Park Board.
8. Full time Park Board employees will be retained but managed by conservancy staff.
9. A Conservancy Board will be comprised of representatives from local businesses, the
Minneapolis Community Technical Community School, neighborhood organizations,
neighborhood institutions, community representatives and downtown business
community representatives. The Possible structure of two Boards for the Conservancy
will be an executive committee and a community committee.
10. Special events that currently occur in the park will continue to be permitted and
managed by the Park Board.
Previous Board Discussions
February 9, 2011 Presentation by Tupper Thomas on the Prospect Park Alliance
March 16, 2011 Discussion of Conservancy Models in Innovation and Development
Committee
June 15, 2011 Innovation Committee Discussion
Prepared by: Don Siggelkow, Assistant Superintendent for Development Services
Approved by: Jayne Miller, Superintendent