Equity evaluation procedure for Undeveloped Parks.
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances § PB17-6
in effectPB17-6. - Equity evaluation procedure for Undeveloped Parks.
Each undeveloped neighborhood park shall receive a criteria-based equity rating to be calculated as follows:
A. Community Characteristics. The community characteristics metrics for undeveloped parks shall be the same as those described in PB17-4.
B. Park Asset Characteristics.
1. Each undeveloped park shall receive a unique Park Asset Characteristic score to be determined as follows:
2. Asset Proximity.
a. Finding: Undeveloped parks that if developed may serve as the primary recreational area in a neighborhood can be considered critical park infrastructure. Those undeveloped parks that are not near other major recreational assets should be prioritized for development.
b. At least yearly, the Superintendent shall direct park staff to perform a geographic assessment of the proximity of existing major recreational assets to each undeveloped park. For purposes of this assessment, the five major asset types are considered to be:
● enclosed and climate-controlled buildings,
● developed athletic fields,
● courts of any surface type,
● aquatic facilities of any type, and
● formal play areas or designated and MPRB-constructed nature play areas.
c. From a baseline total of 5 points, parks will have their score reduced by one point for each asset type described in B.2.b that is present within a 10-minute walk. For instance, if no major assets are within a 10-minute walk, the park will receive a score of 5 points, while if a court and play area are nearby, it will score 3 points. If all five asset types are nearby, the park's score will be zero.
d. The number of examples of an asset type does not affect the score, only the presence or absence of that type. A park that is near 3 play areas will score the same as a park near just one play area.
3. Asset Potential.
a. Finding: According to adopted park plans, some undeveloped parks are envisioned to include future recreational assets, while others are envisioned to remain as they are or to include small improvements, like benches and landscaping. Those undeveloped parks that can and are envisioned to host amenities will be able to serve as important recreational hubs in their neighborhoods. These parks with asset potential should be prioritized.
b. Park staff shall use MPRB adopted park plans to determine whether an undeveloped park is envisioned to have future recreational assets. For the purposes of this analysis, future recreational assets are defined according to the six listed under PB17-2 included in the definition of Undeveloped Parks, with the following additions:
● paved trails or walkways and gathering areas with or without seating, with the exception of regular sidewalk connections near the park perimeter, the intent being that there be some kind of internal park circulation or formal space available to people of all abilities;
● off-leash dog parks; and
● community gardens constructed and managed according to the MPRB Community Garden Polic
c. Parks envisioned to have any of the listed assets will score 5 points. Parks not envisioned to have any of the listed assets will score 0 points.
The Superintendent shall direct park staff to annually produce an ordered ranking of undeveloped neighborhood parks by combining each park's Community Characteristic and Park Asset Characteristic scores annually. Such ordered ranking shall be included in the Superintendent's Recommended Budget to the MPRB Board of Commissioners and used to update MPRB's five-year project schedule. The approved projects shall be included in the Annual Report required by PB16-3(G)(2).
(Ord. No. 2023-101, § 1, 9-20-23)
Source: City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PAREBOCOOR_CH17CRBASYCARENEPAPRSCCOCH16--20YENEPAPL_.17-6EQEVPRUNPAFetched: 11/1/2026