Construction
Court Repairs and Rehabilitation
This year we're repairing basketball, tennis or other hard surface courts at 18 parks!
Curous which courts are having work done this season? This new map shows plans for repairs at 18 courts for the 2022 season:
minneapolisparks.org/courtrepairs
Updated regularly, the minneapolisparks.org/courtrepairs map shows locations where contractors for MPRB are working, as well as completed and planned work. Court repairs can vary depending on conditions, but are generally one of three types:
- Full-depth renovation - remove and replace the asphalt court surface, net/posts and fencing
- Asphalt overlay - new asphalt surface, color coating and line striping
- Surface rehabilitation - new color coating and line striping
..
The court repair map is updated regularly with locations where work is planned, underway and completed. Court repairs vary depending on conditions, but generally fall into three categories:
Full-Depth Renovation removes and replaces the asphalt court surface, nets/posts and fencing.
Asphalt Overlay installs a new asphalt surface, color coating and line striping.
Surface Rehabilitation includes new color coating and line striping.
The six courts at Lake Nokomis community center are going through plan review at the city, and construction is anticipated to begin in July.

The trail has been moved, and work to stabilize the embankment is underway.
Project Manager: Chris DesRoches, (612) 313-7717, cdesroches@minneapolisparks.org
Staff and elected officials at the park board, City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County have heard and continue to listen to the community’s concerns regarding Cedar Avenue and the Cedar/Edgewater/Nokomis intersection area. Using input from past community engagement and conversations, as well as data and analysis by engineering staff, we are continuing safety improvements along this corridor.
In the last year, the county and city installed enhanced speed signs on Cedar Avenue and temporary delineators to create a center median and bumpouts at Edgewater Boulevard. Moving forward, the county is working with MnDOT and the city to replace the temporary delineators with a permanent raised center median, permanent bumpouts, and upgraded pedestrian curb ramps at Edgewater Boulevard. These improvements will be constructed this year with a MnDOT pavement preservation project (more information here: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy77bloomington-mpls/)
Current closure:
Tue, May 31 through Tue, June 28 Cedar Ave. will be closed in both directions between Lake Nokomis Pkwy. and Hwy 62

The latest: This project is out for bid and once a contractor is selected, a project schedule will be shared via gov delivery and this newsletter.
Staff continue to move forward with design of improvements to the parkway intersection and regional trail that will improve the safety, experience and comfort of all trail and parkway users while preserving high quality mature trees in the area. Planning staff have also collaborated internally with the maintenance team to include lifecycle maintenance improvements to the bike trail between Portland Ave and Chicago Ave as a part of this project. This addition will be an efficient use of public funds, improve safety and usability, and provide a safe and direct connection to an existing northbound protected bike lane along Park Avenue. The project is anticipated to be constructed over an approximate 8 week time period in 2022, with more specific dates established once bids are received. Staff continue to add updates to the project webpage.
Proposed Improvements are as follows
• Upgrading crosswalk markings, expanding curb ramps and installing a raised crossing on the south side of the intersection where the trails cross.
• Widening the bike and pedestrian trail south of E Minnehaha Parkway between E 50th Street and Portland Avenue, and along Minnehaha Creek south of the intersection.
◦ To provide more space for boulevard tree roots and improve trail quality, the trail segment between E 50th Street and Portland Avenue will be reconstructed farther south, but will remain entirely within MPRB property.
• Reworking E Minnehaha Parkway just south of E 50th Street to create an aligned 3-way stop, which will create a safer and user friendly experience for all modes.
◦ The parking bay immediately south of the intersection will need to be removed to preserve as many healthy and mature trees as possible.
• Converting E Minnehaha Parkway frontage roads to one-way streets to calm traffic and improve safety at intersections.
• Other possible improvements include installing medians on E 50th Street and Portland Avenue to help direct traffic flow on the frontage roads. Per the Master Plan, vehicle flow will remain continuous on the main Parkway road.
View Schematic Design
If any remaining funding is available after implementation of changes in this location, prioritization of additional potential projects will be discussed with the community.
To receive notifications about this project as it progresses, please subscribe to updates on the project page. Please feel free to contact the project manager with any questions you may have about this project.
Project Manager: Carol HejlStone 612-230-6454, phejlstone@minneapolisparks.org

The Latest: This project is out for bid and once a contractor is selected, a project schedule will be shared via gov delivery and this newsletter. Construction is still anticipated to take place this summer.
During our meeting on December 15, commissioners approved the Phase 1 concept plan for new play areas at Keewaydin Park.
Based on feedback from community members, commissioners also approved retaining the park's wading pool until its structure or supporting infrastructure fails. The pool and its infrastructure will be assessed on an annual basis in consultation with MPS facilities management staff.
The Phase 1 concept plan (pictured above and available on the Keeywaydin Park project website) includes several new play areas and other improvements, including:
- Climbable stacked boulder hills and walls
- Free-standing bouldering monoliths
- Zip line
- Separate age 2-5 and 5-12 play zones with adventure towers
- Creative nature play area with art and performance spaces
- Sand play area, slides, basket swing, and spinner
- Native plantings and naturalized stormwater area
- Picnic areas and seating
Next steps
Winter/spring 2022: Final design, construction bids
Project staff will develop a final design for the project, solicit construction bids and award a construction contract.
Summer/fall 2022: Construction
With a successful contract, project construction is planned to begin in summer 2022, with completion in fall 2022.
Learn more about this project and subscribe to project updates on the project page. Starting with my next newsletter this project will move to the construction section.
Project contact is Colleen O'Dell, 612-230-6469, codell@minneapolisparks.org
The latest: Playground equipment ordered for this project has been delayed due to supply chain issues, and until a shipping date has been identified, construction is delayed.
The park board has approved the design for this playground. This project will update the playground at Pearl Park to meet current safety and accessibility standards.
For more information and to subscribe to updates for this project, please visit the project page or reach out to the project contact: Francisca Pass at 612.499.9074 or via email at fpass@minneapolisparks.org.

The Latest: Due to supply chain issues, the finishing touches for the splash pad are delayed. As soon as materials arrive the work will be completed and the splash pad opened.
Phase 2 Improvements
- Redesign and renovation of the athletic field in the south area of the park to improve drainage, turf quality and overall play quality
- Design and construction of a new splash pad to replace the wading pool
Construction is underway on a new splash pad at Phelps Park! The design includes a large open area with a variety of spray jets to run through and around, and a large mist sprayer at the center.
Remaining work on the splash pad is being completed this spring and the splash pad will open this summer.
The park board has entered into a fundraising agreement to upgrade the field to artificial turf with the Phelps Activities Council which has delayed the implementation of field improvements while funding is sought to expand them.
Final Schematic Design Concept [PDF]
Questions about this project should be directed to the project manager : Jon Duesman, jduesman@minneapolisparks.org.
Subscribe to the project page to receive updates.
Pickleball Court Renovations at Nokomis Community Center
A project page is being created for this work, and when available I'll share a link and construction details here. Work is anticipated to begin in July.
In 2016, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the City of Minneapolis approved ordinances to reverse years of underfunding in neighborhood parks. The 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan (NPP20) is a long-term initiative that will transform the neighborhood park system with the following measures:
- Protect current levels of MPRB funding.
- Dedicate an additional $11 million annually, through 2036, in NPP20 funds for increased maintenance, rehabilitation and capital investments in neighborhood parks.
- Allocate NPP20 funds using a data-driven, criteria-based system to help address racial and economic equity.
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