Minneapolis Park and Recreation Commissioner District 6
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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 SuperintendentA candidate forum for this race will be held on October 29, 2025 (location) (livestream).
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Ranked Candidates
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All Candidates
Cathy Abene
(NP)
Ira Jourdain
(NP)
Biographical Information
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?
How would you make our parks more accessible to *all* members of our community?
What steps would you take as a Park Board member to work with the City to mitigate water pollution, such as stormwater runoff?
How would you recommend increasing safety in parks, especially when there are large public gatherings?
The Park Board is vital for engaging Minneapolis youth, offering safe spaces and programs—from sports to arts—that spark growth and community. As the city’s top youth employer, it opens doors for all. As Board President and a parent whose kids loved park programs, I’m proud we created a “pay what you can” model, so no kid is left out. MPRB staff’s expertise drives variety and fun, helping kids make friends and build bonds. This year we enrolled 2,000 kids in soccer alone! I’m committed to providing responsive, data-driven after-school and summer programs. Targeted social media outreach will reach more families, ensuring everyone can find their passion and explore their interests in our parks.
Minneapolis parks are a gem—99% of residents can walk to one in under 10 minutes, and about 95% in a recent survey called them welcoming and accessible. I’m proud of my work with the city to boost our parkway paving program, allowing us to more rapidly rebuild ADA-compliant curb ramps. MPRB staff excel at designing accessible spaces, from therapeutic recreation areas to tailored accommodations, ensuring everyone enjoys our parks. To go further, I’ll expand multilingual outreach and clear signage, maintain paths for mobility needs, and use data to offer programs tailored to the community being served. My commitment is clear: every resident, regardless of background or ability, feels at home in our parks.
As a water resources engineer leading the U of M’s campus stormwater and water programs—where we ranked #1 nationally for clean water in 2025—I bring hands-on expertise to the Park Board. In this term, I’m proud that we created an MPRB stormwater management team and launched an action-oriented partnership with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and City of Minneapolis that is already working on investments that address urban runoff and improve water quality. This is one of the areas during my current term that I’m most proud of and I would like to continue progress by expanding watershed collaborations citywide and using data to identify areas where water quality improvements and restoration projects will have the largest benefits.
Minneapolis parks are incredibly popular, drawing millions of visits yearly, with the Chain of Lakes as Minnesota’s second-most popular attraction behind the Mall of America. To boost safety, especially for large gatherings, I’ll leverage technology and strategic planning. MPRB staff excel at coordinating safe events, and I’ll support adding real-time monitoring tools like cameras to enhance security. For large gatherings, I’ll prioritize locations with managed access points to streamline crowd control. Staff training will ensure quick responses and situational awareness. I’m proud of our safety work and will collaborate with the City and state to fund tech upgrades and staff resources, ensuring every visitor feels secure.
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