Minnesota Park - 2010 -11 Fix-Its Complete!

1603 W. 33rd Avenue / 1602 W. 33rd Avenue

What's New

In fall 2008, over 1,000 Anchorage parks supporters participated in grading neighborhood parks for the Anchorage Parks Report Card. The Anchorage Park Foundation and the Parks & Recreatin Department use information from these local "Fix-It Lists" to engage local Very Important Park Committees in planning Fix-It efforts in neighborhood parks.

Minnesota Park is a 1,200 foot long, narrow park along Minnesota Drive between Spenard Road and Benson Boulevard. It is a highly visible community asset with room to become a neighborhood destination for play and recreation. The Spenard Very Important Parks Committee has actively recruited volunteers and supporters to dramatically restore the park.

The VIP Committee elected to divide repairs into two phases, with the 2010 Phase One including the following efforts:

• Removing graffiti and re-capping the fence along Minnesota Drive;
• Removed the mugo pine shrubs along Minnesota Drive, improving visibility into the park;
• Pruning trees and spreading mulch in tree beds;
  
• Planting several new trees at park entryways;
  
• Installing updated park signs;
  
• Removing an unused and dilapidated tennis court;
  
• Installing new benches and trash cans; and
  
• Installing boulders along the border of the park to discourage people from parking their vehicles on the lawn.
  

In addition, the Minnesota Park VIP Committee has successfully obtained an Anchorage Park Foundation
Challenge Grant to make further repairs at Minnesota Park in 2011 targeted at adding new recreational components to attract more park users.

Thanks to the Spenard Very Important Parks Committee parks committee for their involvement in prioritizing repairs and recruiting volunteers! For photos of these improvements and many others, please visit the Anchorage Park Foundation Facebook page (no account needed).

The APF is proud to fund neighborhood park fix-its with support from the Rasmuson Foundation & the Alaska State Legislature.

Park History

This park is leased from the State of Alaska on a 55-year long term lease. Planning for use of this park began in 1972, and a grant was received in 1974 to develop the park. The park was funded by the Land & Water Conservation Fund as well as a levy for the Spenard District. New play equipment was installed in 1997.

Features & Amenities

• Accessible play equipment for 2-5 year olds
  
• Accessible play equipment for 5-12 year olds
  
• Two tennis courts
  
• Multi-purpose court
  
• Parking lot with 21 spaces