MINNESOTA Recreation & Parks | Fall 2022

MINNESOTA

RECREATION & PARKS

Publisher

Minnesota Recreation and Park Association 200 Charles Street NE, Fridley, MN 55432 www.mnrpa.org Tel: 763.571.1305

An affi liate of National Recreation and Park Association

Editorial Staff

Michelle J. Snider Bethani Gerhard

Editorial Board

Scott Berggren, Crystal Jennifer Fink, New Brighton Lori Hokenson, New Brighton John W. Stutzman, Golden Valley

Advertising Sales & Design

Todd Pernsteiner Pernsteiner Creative Group todd@pernsteiner.com 952.841.1111

MRPA Board of Directors 2022

President: Ross Demant, Wright County President-Elect: Jerome Krieger, Blaine Past President: Chuck Stifter, Maple Grove Secretary: Annie Olson, Minneapolis Treasurer: Ben Boldt, Rochester RSC Chair: Scott Heitkamp, Burnsville East Metro: Andrew Pimental, Eagan East Metro: Becky Sola, Shoreview East Metro: Reed Smidt, Woodbury Northwest Region: Marcia Larson, Bemidji Southern Region: Joey Schugel, St. Peter West Metro: Nicole Gorman, Edina West Metro: Mike Ramirez, Brooklyn Park West Metro: Jason T. West, St. Louis Park

This magazine is the offi cial quarterly publication of Minnesota Recreation and Park Association and is provided complimentary to members as part of their MRPA membership. The editorial board encourages the submission of articles and photos for publication by agency members. Articles of approximately 500-700 words or less may be submitted, but may be edited for length and clarity. Contact Michelle Snider, MRPA, at 763.571.1305 x100 if interested in submitting an article for a future issue.

Articles and Advertising Deadlines

Winter 2023 issue ...................December 10, 2022 Spring 2023 Issue .............................March 2, 2023 Summer 2023 issue ...........................May 22, 2023 Fall 2023 issue ..............................August 27, 2023

MRPA reserves the right to approve all submitted advertising in MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks magazine. All requests for advertising should be made to Todd Pernsteiner, Account Manager, at 952.841.1111 or todd@pernsteiner.com.

Regis ter today!

2022-23 UPCOMING EVENTS

Leadership Summit December 6, 2022 Brookview Golden Valley Annual General Meeting and Awards Luncheon January 13, 2023 Owatonna

Certifi ed Playground Safety Institute Course and Exam March 2023 TBD

MRPA Annual Conference 2023 September 26-29, 2023 Plymouth Community Center Plymouth

WATCH WWW.MNRPA.ORG FOR MORE DETAILS & UPDATES.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

From the President .....................................4 Keeping Up ..............................................6-7 MRPA Flashback ..........................................7 MRPA in Action ...........................................8 College Corner ...........................................9 MRPF Corner ........................................10-11 Doggone It! Minnesota Dog Parks Waseca ....................................................13 Three Rivers Park District .................14-15 Anoka County ........................................16 Bemidji ....................................................17 Faribault ..................................................17 Inver Grove Heights ...............................18 Owatonna ...............................................18 Richfi eld...................................................20 South St. Paul .........................................20 Finding Grants ....................................21-23 Community Passion Makes Playground Wish a Reality in Waconia ..................24-25 MRPA Conference in Review .............26-33 2022 Awards of Excellence Administrative or Management Strategies ................................................38 Marketing and Communications .........39 Parks and Facilities ..........................40-46 Programming and Events ...............47-48 Sponsorships and Partnerships .....48-50 Volunteer Initiatives ...............................51 2023 Commercial Buyer’s Guide .......53-62 Cerftifi ed Playground Safety Inspector Course Information...................................62 Advertiser Index........................................62

DONATING TO MRPF HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER!

1. Shop for your purchases at smile.amazon.com. 2. Designate Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation as your benefi ciary.