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On October 17 Karen Collier asked "What's happened
to the Parks Legacy group who wants to turn it (the Superintendent's residence)
into a public building ?"
Thanks for asking about us Karen!
The Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society (M.P.L.S.) is
alive and well! We are a 501(c)(3) corporation and our mission is to
preserve, protect, and interpret the historical resources of the Minneapolis
Park System.
With many potential projects in mind throughout the
city, the M.P.L.S. has already raised the funding and directed the study which
resulted in the historic Superintendent's residence at 3954 Bryant being placed
on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park
Service identified this National Historic Site, as the "Theodore Wirth Home
and Administration Building".
After Theodore Wirth, some of the succeeding
Superintendent's lived in this building. Since 1997 it has been leased to a
professional recreation association, the Minnesota Recreation and Park
Association (MRPA) for their office space.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is now
considering the building's highest and best public use including converting it
back into a Superintendent's Residence.
Depending on the Minneapolis Park Board's decision,
the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society has developed a program to open all
or part of the building for public use.
The East Harriet Farmstead Neighborhood Association
( this National Historic Sight is located within Lyndale Farmstead Park)
has already set aside $5,000 for the restoration of the fireplace if the
M.P.L.S. opens the home for public use. The Minneapolis Park Board and the
Minneapolis Star Tribune have received numerous letters in support of our
program. We have nearly 800 signatures on petitions, from all 6 park districts,
encouraging the Minneapolis Park Commissioners to consider this M.P.L.S.
program.
We have many other appropriate projects pending in
every park throughout the city and are currently conducting a Charter Membership
Drive.
If you love our Minneapolis Parks, consider
joining! If you would like further information on the Minneapolis Parks Legacy
Society, please email us at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Theodore J Wirth
Board Chairman
and
Joan Berthiaume
Board President
Boar
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