The Minneapolis Park and Rec Board (MPRB) is kicking off engagements for the next phase of improvements at Folwell Park. The project will also include an all-wheel park for skateboards, bikes, in-line skates and scooters.
Planning is underway and MPRB wants community input. They have an online survey to better understand community needs and desires for this implementation phase of park improvements. The survey includes a more targeted survey regarding the all-wheel park being planned for Folwell. The all-wheel park survey is geared towards community from the skateboard, in-line skate, scooter, bike community. The total length of the survey takes 10-12 minutes to complete. The optional all-wheel park survey takes about 10 minutes. The survey opened April 17 and runs through May 9.
Save the date for the MPRB Community Open House at Folwell Park Recreation Center, 1615 N Dowling Ave. N, on May 25 from 4:30- 8 p.m. Stop in anytime and learn about the project and help the MPRB design this phase of improvements! More details to come. Check out the project page and sign up for updates.
Project Description
Project Overview: This project will focus on implementing improvements at Folwell Park identified in North Service Area Master Plan. Currently, there is funding that must be spent on the all-wheel park and will be the primary focus of the project. As the funding allows, the project will also explore including other improvements including expansion and re-location of basketball courts, parking lot entrance improvements which focus on creating a safer entrance into the park, improved lighting, security, circulation improvements, field improvements such as turf quality and drainage, and new and improved picnic areas. The project team will seek to prioritize other possible improvements based on budget, sequencing, need and greatest impact. To develop the design of the all-wheel park, the community and stakeholder groups will be engaged. The consultant team includes a qualified skate and all-wheel park designer who will help MPRB staff work with community to design and develop all improvements. Design and engagement are expected to occur throughout 2023 with construction in spring 2024. In general, if the overall project design is consistent with the MPRB approved master plan, no public hearing will be required for site plan concept approval.
Project Timeline: The project is generally expected to follow a phased approach
• Phase 1: Pre-design Work. The first phase will involve an RFP process to seek a consultant to support planning efforts for all site work, establishing a TAC that includes community members from the “all-wheel” community who will be involved in conceptual design for the all-wheel park feature.
• Phase 2: Design Development. The second phase will involve concept development with community input at key milestones. A concept will be brought to the board for concept approval in this phase.
• Phase 3: Implementation. Phase three will be implementation of all improvements and is expected in 2024.
Check out the proposed plan and take the survey at minneapolisparks.org/folwell-park-improvements/.