My vision for Minneapolis Parks
Youth Development
Young people should be seen as decision makers. I believe youth are powerful and our future depends on them. As a life-long youth worker and someone who grew up playing and gathering in Minneapolis parks, I know the value of building free and accessible high-quality programming that centers the development and empowerment of young people.
From youth employment and internship opportunities, mentorship, access to arts and culture, and providing safe spaces that support health and wellness, I am committed to putting youth at the forefront and making decisions that will have a long-lasting positive impact on their lives and our futures.
Vision:
Support the expansion of the Youth Empowerment Summer Initiative, meant to activate park spaces by creating safe, free, and fun youth and family events.
Offer free swimming classes to youth in order to prevent and address the racial disparities that persist in drowning deaths.
Create more youth employment opportunities by funding Minneapolis Park Corps and Teen Teamworks that are meant to provide youth with lifelong skills.
Collaborate with trade schools to create new paid career pathways.
Support the Youth Advisory Council to ensure youth have decision making power over their own parks.
Establish an Art and Culture fund to support youth arts and creativity activation through performances, public art, music, dance, and theater at parks.
Provide access to healing and wellness activities such as yoga, meditation and danza.
Environmental Stewardship
All residents deserve access to public green spaces within walking distance from their area of residence no matter their zip code. Access to green spaces will continue to improve the physical and mental health of our communities, while also continuing to address climate change.
Vision:
Support the improvement of water quality in our lakes through storm water treatment.
Support the protection of wildlife, native plants and pollinator habitats through land restoration efforts.
Support the expansion of bike infrastructure, multi-model transportation options, and traffic calming on parkways.
Support the passing of the Hiawatha Master Plan, which recognizes climate resiliency and historical contributions of Black golfing leaders.
Support expansion of green spaces, such as the Uptown Mall.
Collaborate with Indigenous land stewards to create greater access to medicine gardens and strengthen our local food systems.
Workers’ Rights, Labor, and Economic Development
Workers are fundamental to our parks. In 2024 parks employees went on an unprecedented historical strike after our current commissioner turned her back on workers. I believe that all workers deserve to feel valued, respected and heard in their workplace. This advocacy extends beyond our park employees and includes our street entrepreneurs who also deserve opportunities to build economic stability and contribute to the vibrancy of our community.
Vision:
Supporting workers' rights, fair contracts, safe working conditions, and equitable pay.
Building intentional relationships by hosting worker listening and engagement sessions that are accessible for MPRB employees to ensure their voices are heard.
Implementing policies and culture change that ensures employees feel safe expressing their concerns without the fear of retaliation.
Establish a safe and equitable pathway for micro-entrepreneurs to operate in our parks.
Community Engagement and Constituent Services
Community engagement should be accessible for all. I will be a commissioner who is present in the community, who responds to constituents, provides consistent newsletters, updates, and community office hours. I believe that communication, presence, and collaboration are crucial to advancing our shared goals of making our parks more vibrant, safe and welcoming.
As your next park board commissioner, I am committed to:
Monthly newsletters with regular office updates, events, and engagement opportunities.
Hosting accessible and consistent office hours at the parks and in District 5.
Events and town halls with our intergovernmental partners to ensure our residents are being heard across jurisdictions.
Participating in District 5 community engagement opportunities to learn about the ongoing needs of residents.