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Volunteers honored for contributions to Minneapolis parks

Written by editor on 27 April 2011

Minneapolis Park Board Honors its volunteers

By Angela Schneider

If it wasn”'t for the thousands of volunteers who selflessly donate their time and talents, the Minneapolis Park System would not be as successful as it is. Their contributions range from gardening and coaching to starting a neighborhood festival and playing vital roles in the creation of a new recreation center.

To recognize the essential role volunteers play in the parks, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) presented the Volunteer of the Year Awards at special ceremonies held Wednesday, April 20. Remarkable Volunteer Service Awards were presented to five adults and one group. The Rising Star Award was given to four youth.

All honoree contributions embody one or more of the themes set forth in the Park Board”'s Comprehensive Plan including, Environmental Stewardship, Community Engagement, Recreation that Inspires, Safe Places, and Vision and Leadership.

REMARKABLE VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD

Each recipient of the Remarkable Volunteer Service Award received an art piece created by a local artist, and a donation of $500 to the park program where they serve as a volunteer. Funds will be used to enhance programming, purchase needed materials or supplies and launch innovative ideas. The award recipients are Amos Deinard in Kenwood, Brad Pass in Phillips, Jessica Hill at Lake Hiawatha Center, Rodney Lossow in Longfellow, Steve Young in Fulton Neighborhood and Pershing/Linden Hills.… Read the rest “Volunteers honored for contributions to Minneapolis parks”

“Growing in the Backyard” Citizen Health Action Team The Community Commission on Health Approves a New Project for the Backyard

Written by editor on 27 April 2011

By Janice Barbee, Cultural Wellness Center

On April 7, 2011, the Commission on Health approved the Family Garden project of the Backyard Initiative”'s Growing in the Backyard Citizen Health Action Team (CHAT). The CHAT stated in their proposal to the Commission: “This project will empower Backyard residents to produce their own healthy foods, increase connections to the local food system, and increase each family”'s understanding about how the food system works. Families participating in the Family Gardens project will actively take responsibility for creating and maintaining a series of gardens throughout the Backyard. These activities will also increase a sense of belonging and community for each family.”

The Commission on Health, a group composed primarily of residents who live in the “Backyard” ”“ in Powderhorn Park, Central, Corcoran, or one of the four neighborhoods in Phillips ”“ meets every month at the Cultural Wellness Center. The Commission first met in February 2010 to put community residents at the center of the Backyard Initiative, a partnership between Allina and these communities. Its work is to monitor the health of the community, build the community”'s capacity for taking responsibility for its own health, and support efforts to maintain and improve the health of Backyard residents.… Read the rest ““Growing in the Backyard” Citizen Health Action Team The Community Commission on Health Approves a New Project for the Backyard”