NRP Success Stories - Ward 11 - Some of the Success Stories from Ward 11

• Washburn High School Computer Lab – A new computer lab was installed in the Washburn High School with a neighborhood NRP contribution of $125,000. 

• Ramsey School Playground Improvements – Neighborhood residents worked with school parents and other volunteers to install a new playground using $75,000 in NRP funds and $40,000 in private contributions to purchase the new equipment.  When the Ramsey Fine Arts School was converted from a middle school to a K-8 school, there were only two swings for over 900 students.

• Housing and Business Improvement Programs – Tangletown residents invested NRP funds in both housing and business improvement matching grant programs.

• Washburn Water Tower - The Tangletown Neighborhood Association (TNA) invested $35,000 of their NRP funds in the renovation of the water tower grounds with landscaping, decorative iron fencing, gardens, and benches. The Washburn Water Tower is a prominent historical feature in the Tangletown neighborhood.  It has also, however, been the target of graffiti and late night problems.  Neighborhood volunteers invested thousands of volunteer hours over a three year period to make this site a beautiful neighborhood destination.

• Nicollet Avenue Bridge - The neighborhood invested more than $1.3 million to slow traffic on the bridge and to increase pedestrian safety. The Nicollet Avenue bridge over Minnehaha Creek had the reputation of being the fastest bridge in the City, with recorded vehicle speeds reaching 60 mph.  This project reduced the bridge driving lanes from 4 lanes to 2, widened the sidewalks, installed new bridge lighting and added 4 pediments with the Tangletown “T” logo.  Pedestrian scale streetlights were added in 2003-2004 to Nicollet Avenue with an NRP investment of $53,000 to complete the streetscape. 

• Picnic in the Park – Picnic in the Park is a summer celebration of the Hale, Page, and Diamond Lake (HPDL) Neighborhoods that draws between 2,500 – 3,000 people each year to Pearl Park to enjoy live bands, great food, and kids’ games and attractions.  The Picnic is a partnership between Pearl Park, the Pearl Improvement and Recreation Council, and the HPDL Community Association.  HPDL Businesses, Non-Profits, Churches, and Committees sponsor booths at the Park to disseminate information.  More than 40 businesses, churches, and non-profits participate in the event and over sixty volunteers from the community help put it on.

• Teen Job and Opportunity Fair – The Teen Job and Opportunity Fair (TJOF) is a free event that offers Minneapolis youth ages 14-18 employment, volunteer, and workshop opportunities in one convenient location. For seven years, employers and service agencies have used this opportunity to connect with over 700 prospective youth employees and volunteers at South High school. Almost 60 organizations are involved with planning, financing, publicizing and conducting the Teen Job and Opportunity Fair.

• Treasure Hunt –This event, sponsored by the HPDL Business Association and the HPDL Community Association, builds connections between HPDL residents and businesses.  Businesses donate prizes that are awarded to the resident who finds a hidden rabbit replica.  The replica is placed on public property within the HPDL boundaries, and one clue is posted in an HPDL business each day for seven days in July.  The HPDL office receives more calls, emails and comments about the Treasure Hunt than it does for any other HPDL activity.

• Block Contacts – HPDL has recruited 100 Block Contacts.  These contacts cover 80% of the total blocks within the HPDL boundaries.  Block Contacts distribute HPDL’s publicity flyers and other materials to residents on their block four to five times each year.  Additionally, block contacts deliver welcome packets to residents on their block who have recently moved into the neighborhood.  Many of HPDL’s event volunteers, new Board or Committee members come from the Block Contacts. 
 

• Housing Programs – The Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group invested 60 percent of its NRP funds in housing. The neighborhood has made over $1 million of its NRP funds available to residents for home improvements. 

• Town Oaks Water Reconstruction Project – The Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group helped residents of this major housing complex address a structural problem that threatened their homes. Using NRP funds, residents worked with the Public Works Department and the Town Oaks Association to reconstruct the water system for this housing project.

• Lake Nokomis Improvement Project – Residents in the Nokomis East area invested $350,000 of NRP funds to carry out several initiatives designed to address environmental concerns in the neighborhoods. Residents established the Blue Water Commission in partnership with two other neighborhood groups, the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, and Hennepin County to oversee these efforts. The Commission issued a report that has served as the blueprint for addressing Lake Nokomis water quality concerns. Three wetland ponds were constructed as part of the plan near the southwest part of Lake Nokomis to help capture contaminated runoff before it enters the lake.

• Native Gardens/Savanna Restoration Project – Nokomis area residents concerned about the water quality of Lakes Nokomis and Hiawatha completed several environmental projects to address the negative impact of phosphorous runoff from fertilizer use. The neighborhood invested NRP funds to reintroduce native plants, grasses, and wildflowers in three gardens near Lake Nokomis.  Volunteers planted wetland and other native vegetation in three gardens and on the shoreline around Lake Nokomis to improve water quality by controlling erosion. The gardens have been a major source of pride and community building for residents who have been responsible for their maintenance.