In 2016, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board approved a 20-year plan to address racial inequality in parks and transform the neighborhood parks system. Ten years into the process, officials say they are ahead of schedule.

The 20-Year Neighborhood Parks Plan (NPP20) uses a first-of-its-kind “equity ranking” to target funding toward communities with the greatest need. Advancing racial equity in the parks system is a high priority for the board, which states on its website that “racial equity is when race is no longer a predictor of access to parks and recreation, health, well-being, and quality of life.”

“[Equity is a priority in parks development] because for so long it wasn’t very important and this resulted in disparate service across the system,” MPRB Commissioner Tom Olsen said in an email. “Parks provide many wonderful societal benefits that lift up whole communities. So not only is it just that we invest equitably, but it is the smart thing to do as it improves outcomes for the entire city.”

The equity ranking uses seven quantitative measures focused on racial and economic equity. In the community, it considers concentrated poverty, population density, youth population and crime rates. It also evaluates the condition and lifespan of existing parks, as well as previous capital investments. In 2016, the parks with the highest rankings included Bassett’s Creek Park, 28th Street Tot Lot and Central Gym Park.

All but two of the 34 parks ranked highest in need of support were in North or South Minneapolis.

As of December 2025, 46 parks have completed capital investment projects and 28 recreation centers have received major repairs. Minneapolis has 180 parks total, and NPP20 aims to improve all of them by 2036. A goal the city is on track to meet ahead of schedule.

“Every neighborhood park in the city is on track to receive renovations and improvements,” Olsen said.

One of the largest projects is a $45 million redevelopment of North Commons Park in North Minneapolis. The project is about 35% complete and will rebuild the water park, renovate the community center, construct a 22,000-square-foot indoor fieldhouse and expand public amenities.

When construction began in July 2025, state Rep. Fue Lee, who represents the district, told the Minnesota Star Tribune, “For far too long, north Minneapolis has been forgotten by the state of Minnesota. But not no more.”

The park’s pool was last renovated in 1997.

Across the river, Saint Paul’s Parks and Recreation system plan also emphasizes equity. The plan highlights major demographic shifts, noting that more than 20% of the city’s residents were born outside the United States.

It also describes parks as uniquely democratic spaces and calls for consideration of unhoused residents’ use of park facilities.

“Serving more residents, and more perspectives about the role that parks spaces and programs can play in our lives, presents the City of Saint Paul with a powerful opportunity to serve the community’s evolving social, recreational, and ecological needs into the future,” the plan states.

Although St. Paul did not develop an equity ranking like Minneapolis, its prioritization system favors parks in areas of concentrated poverty, high under-18 populations and historically low investment.

The city’s 40-year comprehensive plan, adopted in 2020 under former Mayor Melvin Carter, states in its Parks, Recreation and Open Space section: “White people are significantly more likely to explore those parts of our park system than are African Americans, African immigrants, Asian Americans, Asian immigrants and Hispanic/Latino/Latina people. As a city, we are obligated to ensure that everyone has access to and feels welcome within our public lands.”

One strategy both cities are using to improve equity is “Greening the Green Line.” Areas along the METRO Green Line have about 10% less green space than the urban core.

Little Mekong Plaza, located on University Avenue in St. Paul, aims to establish an Asian cultural corridor. Owned by the Hmong American Partnership, the city described it in a press release as “reflecting Hmong, Vietnamese, and other ethnic and immigrant communities that live and operate businesses in the area.”

In 2024, a $2.4 million grant from the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership helped fund St. Paul’s North End Community Center and a six-acre park. The surrounding area is about three-quarters people of color, but prior to the development, the green space was run-down and considered unsafe.

Both cities have received positive feedback on their efforts. For Olsen, NPP20 is a clear success.

“I think the biggest indicator that this is working is that constituents really don’t reach out to complain about the quality of their parks,” he said. “I have only ever heard that people are satisfied with how their parks have been developed. And if someone reaches out because the lifespan of their park is starting to get old, we are able to point very clearly to when their park will be invested in.”

Anya Armentrout is a freelance journalist, a student at Macalester College and a contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

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WASHINGTON, DC (FOX 9) – The Republic of Somaliland is calling for Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar to be extradited after Vice President JD Vance accused her of committing immigration fraud.

Vance accuses Ilhan Omar of immigration fraud

The backstory:

Vance appeared on conservative Benny Johnson’s podcast over the weekend, where he accused the Minnesota lawmaker of fraud.

“Ilhan Omar definitely committed immigration fraud against the United States of America. She has been at the center of a lot of the worst fraudsters at the center of the Somali community,” Vance told Johnson.

Omar has been at odds with the Trump Administration and the White House multiple times over accusations that she married her brother to obtain U.S. citizenship. FOX 9 looked into those allegations, and found no evidence that can corroborate that.

Omar calls allegations ‘a ridiculous lie’

The other side:

Omar responded to Vance’s allegations on Sunday, via FOX News.

“This is rich coming from someone who literally said they were willing to ‘create stories’ to redirect the media,” the statement said. “This is a ridiculous lie and desperate attempt to distract from the pedophile protection party’s unpopular war of choice, increasing gas prices, and rapidly dropping polling numbers.” 

Omar sprayed at town hall

Local perspective:

In late January, Omar held a town hall where after calling for then DHS Sec. Kristi Noem to resign over Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities, an attendee stood up and sprayed Omar with a liquid. 

The man, later identified as Anthony Kazmierczak, was charged with threats of violence and assault for the attack. The Hennepin County complaint alleges that Kazmierczak told Omar that “you should f–king die” during the attack.

Trump on Omar: ‘Throw her the hell out’

Why you should care:

President Trump made an appearance in Pennsylvania last December, where he highlighted Minnesota’s ongoing issues with fraud.

President Trump blasts Ilhan Omar, Gov. Walz at Pennsylvania rally

President Donald Trump on Tuesday blasted Minnesota lawmaker llhan Omar and Gov. Tim Walz over the fraud taking place in the state as federal agents are in the Twin Cities area targeting the Somali population. Trump made the remarks while speaking about the economy at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mt. Pocono, Pennsylvania.

Trump said in the appearance she married her brother, and “she should get the hell out.”

“You know, that’s called the Great Big Minnesota scam with one of the dumbest governors ever in history. I love this Ilhan Omar, whatever the hell her name is, a little turban. I love her, she comes in, does nothing but bitch. She’s always complaining. She comes from a country where, I mean, it’s considered about the worst country in the world, right?” Trump said. “They have nothing. She comes to our country and she’s always complaining about the constitution allows me to do this. We ought to get her the hell out, she married her brother in order to get in. Can you imagine if Donald Trump married his sister, if I married my sister to get my citizenship? Do you think I would last about two hours, or would it be less? She married her brother to get in, therefore she’s here illegally. She should get the hell out, throw her the hell out.”

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A sunny and warm Sunday is in store for the Twin Cities, with even higher temperatures expected on Monday before a chance of rain and cooler air returns later in the week.

Sunday forecast

Local perspective:

Sunday is starting with some cloud cover before sunshine moves in with highs near 70 degrees around the metro and southern parts of the state. 

Winds will be much lighter than Saturday, coming from the south at 5 to 10 mph with only occasional gusts up to 15 mph. 

The Brainerd Lakes area will see temperatures in the 60s, while the North Shore will be cooler, which is typical for this time of year. 

Sunday’s weather is expected to be dry and pleasant.

Overnight, temperatures will drop to the upper 30s and lower 40s, with some clouds moving in ahead of Monday. 

Extended forecast 

What’s next:

Monday could be the warmest day of the week, with highs in the lower 70s for the Twin Cities and some spots in southern Minnesota possibly reaching close to 80 degrees.

Winds will shift from southerly to southeasterly and then easterly as the day goes on, but should remain light. 

After the warm start to the week, a cold front will move through on Tuesday, bringing a chance for a few rain showers in the early morning. 

Temperatures will likely drop to the upper 40s by Wednesday and Thursday, with another front possibly bringing showers late Friday into early Saturday.

The rest of the extended forecast calls for temperatures close to or just below average, with highs in the upper 40s to lower 50s.