What I Stand For
Everyone belongs in our parks - They are our “Third space.”
It's simple: if something's happening in our parks, every family should know about it and feel welcome to join. Right now, too many kids face barriers when they want to get outside and be active.
Team sports like basketball, soccer, and volleyball are what come to mind first when many people think about our park rosters, and they are important. And…our parks offer so much more— like hiking, birdwatching, orienteering, skiing, art, and music. When kids hear "sorry, we're full," that's not okay with me. Instead, let's build a grassroots, intergenerational movement that brings more families into our parks community and expands quality programming for everyone who wants it.
I want our parks to be that safe "third space" where people can enjoy the outdoors and community centers on their own terms, too. We know that too many places to gather are private and segregated by age, class, ability, and race. I want to ensure that park Community Centers are the centers for all of us in our communities again.
Smart Partnerships benefit our parks and residents.
For fourteen years, I've coached cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and outdoor adventures at Theodore Wirth Park through the Loppet Foundation. I've watched this partnership with MPRB transform the park with quality trails, programs, and the Trailhead Welcome Center. This winter alone, my team taught thousands of beginning skiers who never would have tried it without these resources. This kind of success needs to happen in more places in a variety of ways, while we balance environmental, equity, and safety concerns. With your help, we can get more Minneapolis residents off their screens and into the outdoors.
Best practices for the Environment are key in decisions about our parklands.
We're facing a climate emergency, and as our city grows denser, we need to figure out how to expand park access without sacrificing sustainability. The MPRB's vision of access for all must include strong environmental protections for the parks we love. Sometimes that means making tough choices between expanded access and protecting native habitats. I'm committed to approaching these decisions with an open mind, listening to communities, and ensuring we leave our parks in even better shape for future generations.
Teamwork...you know what they say about it…I believe that dream.
Growing up playing sports taught me the value of authentic communication, patience, and humility. Today, I coach people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds in trail sports. I'm already engaged in our parks community, having served on Community Advisory Councils for (both the Master Plan for the Minnehaha Creek Regional Trail System, and the Parks for All Comprehensive Plan.) I've attended planning sessions and watched MPRB board meetings for years. Local government can be slow and frustrating, but we can’t make shortcuts. Decisions are better when everyone gets a voice. I'm ready to foster even better teamwork on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.