Minneapolis Park and Recreation Commissioner District 1 Choose 3
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board serves as an independently elected, semi-autonomous body responsible for governing, maintaining, and developing the Minneapolis Park System. City of Minneapolis voters elect nine commissioners every four years: one from each of the six park districts, and three that serve at-large.The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board performs its many duties through the contributions of elected Commissioners and the leadership of the Superintendent. Their actions are guided according to the following roles and responsibilities. Commissioners:Develop park policiesEnact ordinances governing the use of neighborhood and regional parks, parkways, beaches and lakes, and special use facilities such as pools, ice arenas and golf coursesAppoint the SuperintendentWatch the candidate forum, recorded on October 29, 2025.
Biographical Information
telephone
6128051415
Contact Phone
Dan Engelhart
Facebook (Full URL)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575505567754
Campaign Twitter Handle
@engy5150@blueskysocial
What role does the Park Board play in reaching, engaging and supporting our city's youth? What ideas would you propose for reaching, engaging and supporting our youth?
As a Business Agent with MAPE and with MDE in my assignment I will be uniquely able to champion the Full Service Community Schools model. As a lifelong organzier we will deeply listen and have programming that meets the needs and interests of youth. The number one employer of youth in our city has to have a culture of welcoming and belonging in the workers that are youth. The partnership with MPS particularly yet all learners that are in any school. Youth sports, youth programming, arts, ANYTHING that builds community in a healthy way- MPRB recently voted to move 300k to unspecified pavement work that eliminated 3 youth programming positions, I will never do anything like that- Our youth and community around includes the jobs.
How would you make our parks more accessible to *all* members of our community?
ALL- has to mean all, I believe in collective liberation as the only way forward. This means that anything that is inequitable or has accessibility limitations has to be addressed in a way that works for everyone. This means being clear about the seperation with ICE and more. This means policies or tabling the conversation at certain times in this political moment if it will potentially harm those that are most vulnerable in this time of othering and divison. I will do this with deep community and relationships and the love for building the power we need to have our parks and programming be the healthy third space for everyone, and when it might be the first or only space, we work with that as that does include everyone.
What steps would you take as a Park Board member to work with the City to mitigate water pollution, such as stormwater runoff?
Any and All possible- the fact that stormwater drains right into our water ways most of the time has to be addressed. The recent Star Tribune Article shows how threatened our lakes were and in my opinion still are. The River is also a national treasure. More holding ponds and large permeable installations, intergovernmental partnerships to do everthying possible with any property publicly held. MPRB is a crucial partner in this effort that is also full watershed and beyond. My first job as an organizer was on water quality issues. It takes the whole community to truly take this on. I will use my skills, experience and success to bring the experts and community together to protect our water!
How would you recommend increasing safety in parks, especially when there are large public gatherings?
We have a very serious issue with violence and particularly gun violence. It has hit so hard in Minnesota lately. Large gatherings are going to need the appropriate level of safety measures taken. Highly accountable Park Police with MPRB doing the work to be the employer of choice for all workers.
Biographical Information
Contact Phone
(612) 309-5098
Facebook (Full URL)
http://www.facebook.com/danmillerforparkboard
Campaign Email
danmillerforparkboard@gmail.com
What role does the Park Board play in reaching, engaging and supporting our city's youth? What ideas would you propose for reaching, engaging and supporting our youth?
We need to prioritize investments in quality, affordable youth programming---including nature programs and teen hub studios as well as youth employment opportunities, such as the Mississippi River Green Team, to teach transferable job skills. We need to grow youth sports and Rec Plus, our park's affordable child care program. We need to strengthen connections between Minneapolis Public Schools and Minneapolis Parks & Recreation.
How would you make our parks more accessible to *all* members of our community?
We need to ensure that park playgrounds, pools, ice rinks and athletic fields are equitably distributed. Our park buildings and sports arenas need updating including air conditioning at all recreation centers. We need to complete the crucial park renovations at Jackson Square and Luxton Parks and establish a second dog park in District 1. We need to prioritize the completion of the Grand Rounds Missing Link and the Above the Falls plan.
What steps would you take as a Park Board member to work with the City to mitigate water pollution, such as stormwater runoff?
Minneapolis Parks & Recreation needs to partner aggressively with the City, County, State and our watershed districts to maximize funding for stormwater improvements. We need to protect and expand our City’s tree canopy as well as quickly and equitably replace lost trees to buffer climate change and its increasing heat index. We need to protect the Mississippi which is the source of our City’s drinking water as well as District 1’s most significant water resource.
How would you recommend increasing safety in parks, especially when there are large public gatherings?
We need to Increase and stabilize staffing levels at recreation centers and regional parks. This includes empowering park directors to develop programming that's tailored to the community, fostering collaboration between the parks, schools and neighborhood organizations and prioritizing all park staff, coaches and volunteers are valued. Our parks need to be community driven and activated spaces.