The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is moving forward with a plan to add a permanent stage or platform, an all-inclusive playground, and an outdoor fitness area to the east side of Elliot Park.

A final design concept was developed and unveiled in late October following several months of engagement with the neighborhood’s residents, businesses, and institutions. It’s a combination of three initial design concepts shared with the public during a series of open houses at the park’s Elliot Recreation Center.

Safety was top of mind during discussions with the community and throughout the design process. Part of the work will entail “strengthening the access points and limiting the challenge points,” according to project manager Michael Jones of the Park and Rec Board.

Jones said the goal of the redesign is to establish Elliot Park as a destination and activate it with multiple programs.

Elliot Park Neighborhood Inc. helped Jones and fellow project manager Emma Pachuta facilitate community meetings at the recreation center.

Abdulrahman Wako, executive director of EPNI, told Downtown Voices that “deep, concerted engagement” was carried out over the past several months, with the project team really making an effort to reach out to stakeholders in the immediate area, including North Central University students.

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More than $2.1 million is earmarked for the project, with $390,000 going toward a new playground, which will be located closer to the building and parking.

A stage or platform for concerts and movies will be at the center of Elliot Park’s east side, where the old playground currently stands, along with a flexible lawn that can also be used for informal activities and games, like catch or frisbee.

The outdoor fitness area will be located at the far southeast corner of Elliot Park at 14th Street and 11th Avenue. Wako said the gym was one of the biggest requests made by the community.

A splash pad will replace an existing wading pool by the basketball court, and a patio where parents can sit while their kids play will be installed right outside the Elliot Recreation Center between the new playground and slash pad.

If the budget allows, the Park and Rec Board could also incorporate a glowing element to Elliot Park’s concrete paths or hire an artist to create a mural, but there’s not enough funding to cover renovations to the Elliot Recreation Center.

The Park and Rec Board expects to put out a request for bids in February, start construction next spring, and hopefully have the work wrapped up in Elliot Park before winter.