The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board is planning a more than $2.1 million improvement project for Elliot Park.

Improvements will focus on the east side of the 6.5-acre park, where a playground and wading pool are located. An athletic field, skatepark, basketball court, and recreation center are on the park’s west side; some of them could also get upgrades, though.

The Park Board earmarked $390,000 for a new playground but hasn’t set aside any other funds in the $2.1 million budget for anything else. An in-progress community engagement period with residents and other stakeholders will identify how the Park Board spends the rest of the money, according to Emma Pachuta, one of two project managers.

A proposed park plan design for Elliot Park was developed as part of the Park Board’s Downtown Service Area Master Plan in 2017. It recommends a seasonal activity space, picnic area, water play fixture, community gardens, and an addition to the recreation center, which likely won’t be feasible due to cost.

The plan design will be used as a framework for the project, and community engagement will continue through summer to inform next steps in priorities and design. Construction should be done by 2026.

These are some of the issues identified in the plan design:

  • Narrow sidewalks and lack of boulevard buffer for pedestrians
  • Difficult street crossings make accessing the park a challenge
  • Areas of the park are not ADA compliant
  • Lack of centralized open space for flexible use
  • Skate park needs to be updated and expanded
  • Insufficient storage capacity in the recreation center
  • Lack of gathering space and spectator space for activities on the artificial turf field 
  • Sightlines are blocked by berms
  • Trees were lost to the construction of the soccer field
  • Existing, tall hackberry trees circling the existing play areas need to be protected and supported
A current bird's-eye view of Elliot Park, courtesy of the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.

Almost $1.5 million in funding for Elliot Park improvements is coming from the Park Board’s 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan (NPP20) fund, and the remaining $640,000 is coming from neighborhood capital levies, according to the project page.

Open houses are scheduled for April 11 and 23 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Elliot Recreation Center, 1000 E. 14th St, where members of the community are invited to share their ideas, concerns, and vision for the park. 

Feedback can also be shared with the Park Board through this online survey. Here’s the link to sign up for updates on the project.

The Park Board and the East Town Business Partnership cohosted a community meeting on March 28 at the Elliot Recreation Center to discuss how safety in the park–a top concern in the area–can be improved through the park's design.

Elliot Park is surrounded by Hennepin County Medical Center, North Central University, and Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It’s two blocks south of U.S. Bank Stadium, adjacent to The Commons, which opened in 2016.

Elliot Park isn’t the only downtown Minneapolis park that’s having work done in the next couple of years.

A restoration of Berger Fountain, also known as the dandelion fountain, in Loring Park is expected to start in the fall.