Saint Paul Parks And Recreation Conservancy

Equal play saint paul initiative: to respond to the lack of high quality play opportunities in saint paul's high need neighborhoods, the conservancy launched an initiative to create new play areas, sport courts and fields across the city. Four projects were completed for this iniative: - new multi-purpose synthetic fields at north end community center and victoria park - a new soccer field at highwood hills rec center - a new playground at hayden heights rec center

The conservancy acted as project manager for several park improvement projects, including: -swede hollow park: completed the woodland garden, began the engineering study for improved ada trail access -started construction and hosted the groundbreaking for pedro park -replaced and planted nine urns along the newly constructed kellogg boulevard median and bikeway -completed the restoration of cochran park fountain with ramsey hill association

Capacity building. According to the city parks alliance and the nataional association of park foundations (of which the conservancy is a member), city-wide park nonprofits tend to grow slowly over time and employee a staff of 4-15 ftes. In 2024 the conservancy hired its second full time position of associate director/director of philanthropy with 18 years of executive and fundraising experience and secured the services of a part- time grant writer with 30 years of park fundraising experience. To support this staff growth, the conservancy upgraded its donor management software and website to support monthly giving, multi-year pledges, gala events, team walks/runs and peer-to-peer fundraising. After four years of operating with one full time staff position supported by a back office contract with the saint paul chamber of commerce, these steps represent a significant new level of operation and support for parks. Finally, six new board members were added in jan 2024. Rice park management: the conservancy partners with the saint paul garden club and rice park association to oversee the long-term maintenance of rice park. This work includes managing the rice park revitalization endowment fund and contracting horticultural services for this landmark historic green space experienced by six million visitors annually. In 2024 the conservancy contracted weekly garden and turf care services, coordinated four annual planting events with the saint paul garden club. Served as fiscal agent and advisor/consultant for these neighborhood based volunteer groups: friends of wacouta commons park, friends of pedro park, friends of mears park and historic irvine park assocation. The conservancy contracts art conservators as needed and advises parks staff on care for artworks in the state's second largest collection of outdoor art housed in saint paul parks. In 2024, the conservancy carried out conservation work on the f. Scott fitzgerald sculpture at rice park as well as additional work at the duck bench at marydale park. The conservancy also manages programs to add and dedicate trees and benches in saint paul parks, as well as a program to sponsor sculptures compensation process for top official: starting compensation was set in 2020 with the consultants hired to conduct the search and hire process, including a survey of compensation for similar positions locally, regionally and nationally. The board sets annual goals for the executive director and conducts an annual performance review, managed by the board president. Compensation adjustments for cost of living and merit are discussed and approved by the full board. Volunteer management: -supported 200 garden stewards who tend 42 gardens through fourteen planting events -partnered with the trust for public land to convene a cohort of 12 "friends of" park groups to strengthen the private stewardship of parks across the city. -coordinated and/or co-sponsored four volunteer events (buckthorn removal, invasive plant removal and weeding, trash pick-ups) that engaged 80 volunteers in three parks -recognzed fourteen volunteers of the year at the signature celebration "party for the parks" - as part of the city-wide parks and rec volunteer awards, major media coverage in both twin cities daily papers, wcco radio and tv, kare 11 tv and fox 9 news earned more than 600,000 "hits" for these amazing volunteers. Additionally, four park volunteers were interviewed and recognized by media outlets in related stories.