Kingfield Neighborhood Association

Kingfield Citizen Pruners Hit the Streets this Saturday!

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A handful of Kingfield residents were trained last year by the MPLS Park Board Forestry Department and the U of M on pruning trees and passed our exam to be official, card-carrying Citizen Pruners. We receive a card and can prune public trees on our own time but also join organized pruning events throughout the year, which is what we will be doing on the streets in Kingfield on Saturday. Many of us in Kingfield also care for our new public orchard located in MLK Park.

If you have a tree that needs particular attention (boulevard or public property only!) message us at info@kingfield.org and let us know the address it is located at. We will try to create a route to include it. You can also post a photo and the address of the offending “sucker-is” tree on our Facebook page.

KFNA is working to set up another Citizen Pruner Training for September; it occurs over two dates: an evening classroom session and a hands-on Saturday morning session. If you might be interested in joining the team send us a message and we will send you the dates when they are confirmed!

Citizen Comments Requested on the Revised MLK Park Plan, part of the MPRB Southwest Area Master Plans

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The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB)  has published revised concepts for the Southwest Service Area Master Plan (called the Southwest Parks Plan for short) including MLK Park. The goal of all of these plans is to create a cohesive set of new, long-term plans for these Minneapolis neighborhood park properties. The King Park Plan can be viewed in this group of Plans.

If you would like to see how the updated concept compares to KFNA’s comments/input on the initial concepts read our initial response here.

We would encourage you to think about how you use the park now and what makes MLK Park great!  What elements of the new park design would improve that experience? What park elements, location and spacing could be improved in the concept?  Is there anything missing from the design that you think needs to be included?  The two initial concepts for the park can be found here.

You can share your comments to this updated concept plan online at surveymonkey.

If you would like to discuss or share any specific comments on the design with the neighborhood’s Community Advisory Committee Member contact Chris DesRoches @ chris@kingfield.org.

KFNA’s Comments on MPRB Southwest Service Area Master Plan Regarding MLK Park

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On March 27, 2019, the KFNA Board submitted comments to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board in response to two draft long-range design and use plans for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park located in the Kingfield Neighborhood. This response was drafted by reflecting on comments from the community, alongside reflection by the Board of Directors.  We confirm in this statement that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park is an invaluable asset for our neighborhood which serves both as a daily place for recreation and also as a community space for meetings, gatherings and events.

The park acts as a connection for residents on both sides of 35W serving both the Kingfield and Bryant Neighborhoods and it is a regular occurrence on a summer night to see families crossing the 40th Street Pedestrian bridge coming to and from the park. One of the greatest things about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. park is this high amount of activity that happens within its boundaries. Through more detailed planning and activation of currently underutilized spaces we believe the park can provide a higher quantity and better variety of activities to create a more inclusive and dynamic space. We believe that generally Plan B fits this vision because of its wider range of activities and holistic use of space.

See full comments here: KFNA Comments on SW Master Plan 2019

Seeking Volunteer Adult Leaders for Summer 2019 Little Kids Soccer Program

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The nine-week Little Kids soccer program at King Park starts June 19 at King Park but only if enough adults volunteer to staff the program. A minimum of 12-15 adults are needed for on-field parent coaching and to staff the registration/T-shirt table. Adults who volunteer are excused when they have a conflict but otherwise participate from 6:15-7:15 p.m. through Aug. 14. Training is provided; Spanish language skill is a plus.

To volunteer, contact Michael Vanderford (612-296-9647 or michaeljvanderford@gmail.com) by the end of March.

SW Area Park Master Plans: Comments Due by 3/31/19

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Comment on initial long-term plans for dozens of SW MPLS parks by the end of the month

On Feb. 1, 2019, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) published initial concept plans for more than 40 Southwest Minneapolis neighborhood park properties. Since then, more than 500 comments have been submitted through the online survey.

Please read KFNA’s comments for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park here.  Follow the links below to make your own comments on the proposed plans for this, or any of the parks, listed below.

KFNA Comments on SW Master Plan 2019

Park Design Concepts

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