Kingfield Neighborhood Association

Of Dogs and Men: race, symbolism, and an ill-fated dog park in South Minneapolis

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By Jennifer DeJonghe, a neighbor

When I first saw the fliers around my neighborhood for a proposed dog park in my local park, I immediately and unquestioningly signed up as a supporter.  I had just recently adopted a rescue dog and had been feeling guilty about the extra driving I was doing to take him to dog parks.

dogs and people at a dog park Lake of the Isles dog park, Minneapolis. Photo by Tanya at petswelcome

I have long been a heavy user of this local park, which had been named for the slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr….read the rest.

Off-leash Area Not Just for Dogs, Brings People Together Too

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By Ben Harris

In the wake of some disagreement about whether it’s respectful to locate a dog park at Martin Luther King Park, Bryant resident Ben Harris talks about why he supports a dog park. He argues it could bring neighbors together.

The proposal for an off-leash area at Martin Luther King Park isn’t just—or even mainly—about the dogs.

Not just constant companions in our lives, our dogs are ambassadors and ice breakers. They provide commonalities that we share with perfect strangers.

Read more here.

Park Board Committee Approves Creation of Dog Park Citizen Advisory Committee

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Some worry the committee may have some problems with diversity if more organizations from the black community aren’t involved.

By Sheila Regan, Southwest Minneapolis Patch
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Planning Committee passed a resolution Wednesday night to authorize the formation of a citizen advisory committee to help create a dog park in Southwest Minneapolis.

The resolution calls for the advisory group to recommend a location for an enclosed off-leash recreation area in the 6th Park District, specifically focusing on areas along Martin Luther King Park and Lyndale Farmstead Park. If the advisory groups is approved by the whole park board, the committee will present their recommendations at the March 16, 2011 Planning Committee hearing.

Read full story here.

Park Board Looks to Honor MLK, Soothe Hurt Feelings on Kingfield Dog Park

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A study about creating an off-leash dog area in Martin Luther King Park in Kingfield will be released at this evening’s park board meeting—although there are some disagreements in the community about whether the presence of dogs would disrespect the slain civil rights leader for whom the park is named. 

By Sheila Regan, Southwest Minneapolis Patch

”There’s some push back from senior citizens in the African-American community,” said Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Commissioner Brad Bourn (District 6). “That spurred a whole other issue that there’s not enough being done at MLK park right now to recognize Martin Luther King’s contributions.” 

Bourn said the park board will be looking at ways to honor King’s legacy, whether with maintenance around the memorial statue in the park or the creation of other programs. It will also use a 2001 park board study on alternative sites for off-leash parks.

Read full article here.

Minneapolis Arts Commission Presents Walldogs on Nicollet with an Award for Celebrating the City through Public Art!

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The Minneapolis Arts Commission selected three public art projects to be recognized with the first annual MAC Awards.  The projects include a colorful park bench crafted by youth in North Minneapolis, a Nicollet Avenue mural project that increases awareness of the city’s heritage with historic images of the city (yes, our own Walldogs on Nicollet Project!!), and the installation of dramatic photographs in a downtown skyway to give voice to the Minneapolis immigrant community.   [Read more…]