USURPING THE PARK BOARD’S AUTHORITY–A PARK WATCH COMMENTARY

USURPING THE PARK BOARD’S AUTHORITY–A PARK WATCH COMMENTARY

Park Watch has learned that the City has issued the following statement regarding the Park Board’s proposed resolution regarding termination of discussions with the City about The Yard:

“The City will continue to work on plans to develop the Downtown East park independent of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. This includes developing a capital plan to create the park, an operating plan to fund ongoing operations and possibly a conservancy to run the park.”

 

This is Park Watch’s comment in response to this statement:

It is the Park Board’s responsibility to develop, budget for and manage the parks in Minneapolis,

While the judge said that the Park Board must own all parks in Minneapolis, the fact is that the Park Board does not have to accept any land offered to it as a park. If the City would attempt to take possession of “The Yard” and create a park, it would be usurping the Park Board’s authority in violation of the City Charter and using public monies in competition with the Park Board.