MRPF New Initiative Grants

that time alone, the Foundation has granted over $75,000 to agencies just like yours. Helping to fund and create the first cell phone guided park tours, pop-up parks, interactive GPS scavenger hunts, Spikeball leagues, MobileRec fitness programming, E-sports leagues, and ice bowling, just to name a few! As we look ahead to celebrating the history and accomplishments of the last 50 years, we ask that you join us in creating innovations and milestones in the future. Learn more about the Foundation and make donations or become a member at www.mnrpf.org.

Each session MRPF awards up to $4,000 to members’ organizations that are working to develop new and innovative programs. These grants spur innovation in the park and recreation field at the local, regional, and state level. In upcoming issues, we will highlight past grant recipients. Annual grant deadlines fall at the end of March and early November. For more information contact Lisa Abernathy at 952-924-2539 or labernathy@stlouispark.org, or visit https://mnrpf.org/grants.

Kali the Kiosk – City of Becker

Year Started: 2018

Grant Award: $1,600

Kali the Kiosk was started in 2018 with the support of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation’s New Initiative Grant to fund the construction of the kiosk. Kali the Kiosk’s motto is L.E.A.D. – learn, explore, aspire and discover. Kali is an interactive kiosk at the Becker City Park that includes games, make or take crafts, touchless flyers/crafts with items found around the park, nature walk activities and more. Kali also has maps of the local trails and parks on the opposite side of her activities board. In 2020, Kali expanded to in person activities. Activities were programmed to help keep her active during Covid restrictions. Kali’s activities were a hit and more outdoor activities were planned such as a snow sculpture contest. The snow sculpture contest was a great success amongst single participants and the local clubs like cub scouts, girl scouts, and daycares. Kali started a summer photo contest in 2021 where Kali’s friends would submit a photo of themselves playing outside with an interactive Kali activity or other activity. Kali even has multiple logos for the different seasons including a Vikings logo. Kali is updated weekly and has sparked creativity and inspiration for exploring outdoors within the community and the parks staff.

The Minnesota Recreation & Park Foundation (MRPF) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Minnesota by supporting recreation and parks through education, networking opportunities, programming grants, student and professional continuing education scholarships, and providing support to the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association. Learn more at www.mnrpf.org.