The following press release was issued on January 7, 2015 by the MPRB.
Minneapolis Parks Announces New Deputy Superintendent
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) welcomes Jennifer Ringold as the new Deputy Superintendent.
The Deputy Superintendent position leads and manages the internal service departments and coordinates and facilities improved performance for the various functions and activities for the Park Board. The Deputy Superintendent provides broad leadership aimed at assuring fiscal integrity and programming that is responsive to a diverse community, and maintaining extraordinary high quality standards for the nationally recognized park system.
Deputy Superintendent Ringold began her duties on January 4, 2015.
Since 1999, Ringold has served the MPRB as a Community Planner, Citywide Planner, Manager of Public Engagement and Citywide Planning, and most recently as the Director of Strategic Planning.
“Jennifer has exemplified what it means to have an unwavering commitment to public service and to protecting and managing Minneapolis’ shared natural resources. Her sixteen years of service with the Park Board is an invaluable asset to have as the new Deputy Superintendent,” said Superintendent Jayne Miller.
“Over the course of her career, Jennifer has proven time and time again that she is a highly effective leader with an exceptional working knowledge of the Park Board’s operations, strategy development, fiscal management, community engagement and park redevelopment.”
Throughout her tenure at the Park Board, Ringold has broadened her experience and taken on greater challenges in areas that have resulted in significant contributions to the Park Board. Highlights of her accomplishments include:
- Leading the development of the Park Board’s 2007-2020 Comprehensive Plan, the first MPRB comprehensive planning process in 40 years
- Serving as the staff lead for the Park Board’s state bonding requests, including the recently awarded $10 million Sculpture Garden capital project
- Overseeing the MPRB’s five-year $80+ million capital improvement program
- Serving as a co-lead for the 2010 Minneapolis National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Congress
- Leading cross-functional teams to review and develop responses to regional light rail transit projects and development directions
- Establishing the first sustainable mountain bike trails in the park system after effective community engagement and a successful demonstration project
- Engaging residents with varying interests – historians, environmentalists, gardeners, bicyclists, and neighbors – to successfully develop the Longfellow Gardens concept plan
Ringold received a Master of Science degree from the Humphrey School of Public Policy and Affairs at the University of Minnesota with a focus in environmental policy and planning, sustainability, strategic planning, and conflict management. She also is a graduate of the NRPA’s Directors School.