New Parks: Build new parks in underserved areas in order to ensure that all Minneapolis residents live within a ten-minute walk of a park.

Parks are a key factor in a city’s measure of quality of life. They provide undeniable benefits to surrounding communities such as free recreation, enjoyment of nature, and social gathering. Neighborhood parks were a key component of the design of Minneapolis’ award-winning park system in the early 20^th century. The visionary park superintendent Theodore Wirth promoted plans for a playground within one-quarter mile (5-minute walk) of every child and a recreation center within one-half mile (10-minute walk) of all residents. Currently 97% of Minneapolis residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, but small pockets of the city still lack easy access to such a critical component of a livable urban life. Some of these gaps are in places where new residential neighborhoods are emerging. Through the Park and Recreation Board, the City provides for parks, parkways, and recreational opportunities for its current and future residents' use. As the city grows in population, it will be important to continue evaluating park access and to build new parks in underserved areas.