Prioritizing Public Space for Belonging
Minneapolis’ civic commons 2021 in pictures
The past year has served to reconfirm the importance of a robust, nature-rich public realm that is welcoming to all. From health and wellbeing to environmental and economic resiliency, our parks, trails, libraries and community centers are critical civic infrastructure that provide multi-faceted benefits for communities. Today, the fourth in our series of photo essays reflecting on public space efforts in cities across the country features the civic commons work in Minneapolis.
Elevating Black Design
For residents of this largely-Black North Minneapolis community, proximity to the Mississippi River wasn’t obvious, barricaded as it is by Interstate 94 and heavy industry. Which is why the new Overlook at 26th Ave N, opened in May 2021, is a revelation of sorts: Its perch above the river is the first new riverfront public space for this area of the city in nearly a generation. Designed by 10x10 Landscape Architecture and 4RM-ULA Architecture with featured artwork from designers and youth apprentices at Juxtaposition Arts, its beacon beckons the community to come and pause for a moment of connection — to nature and each other. See the project.
Minneapolis Youth Have Sol
Sol of the Cities Futsal League brought kids together in a “serve-to-play” six-week season of activity, sportsmanship, and community service. Twin Cities Sol Futsal and the Karen Football League organized the tournament as part of Seeds to Harvest’s 100 Days of Summer programming for youngsters on the Northside. After Saturday morning games, players volunteered in community, including leading aerobics classes, planting trees, and picking up trash. “I liked the swimming suit service project best,” said player Eh Dah. “We got to write personal notes to everyone when we donated the swimsuits. They got something special along with the suit.” Explore the story.
Demystifying Design for the Next Generation
“Design is everywhere,” says Paul Bauknight, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation’s Project Implementation Director, and co-instructor of Design Camp at Harrison Park in North Minneapolis, a week-long submersion for youth ages 11–14 into design thinking, skill-building, and hands-on creation. “A big part of what we were doing here was showing the kids that nearly everything around them was created or put where it is by a human being. We’re teaching them to ask questions like, ‘What is it? Who does it work for? How would I do it?’” Delve into design camp.
Talking About Race, Place, and Space
In fall 2021, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation leveraged its events platforms to continue the community conversation about race and public space in America. Kofi Boone, Joseph D. Moore Distinguished Professor and University Faculty Scholar in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at North Carolina State University, and Tabitha Montgomery, Executive Director of the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association — whose community includes George Floyd Square — headlined a frank and open conversation about race, place, and representation for the October Next Generation of Parks virtual event.
In September, Toni Griffin — renowned designer and founder of the Just City Lab and Urban AC, as well as Professor in Practice of Urban Planning at the Harvard Graduate School of Design — spoke to Minneapolis community leaders and funders for the Sunrise on the Mississippi event. “We have to understand the social psychology around space, around the appropriation of space, of being in space, how we perceive who’s in space, how we make unconscious bias decisions about who is occupying space,” said Griffin from her East Coast office. “I’m speaking to leaders here — it is your responsibility to also change and pivot and be disruptive and break the molds that exist within your institutions. There’s got to be a real strength of will to be able to do that work.”
Reimagining the Civic Commons is a collaboration of The JPB Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, William Penn Foundation, and local partners.
