new ordinance that will open the door to converting parks to
agricultural use, specifically an ordinance to Modify Prohibitions
Relating to Molesting Vegetation.
http://minneapolisparksmn.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=1772&MediaPosition=&ID=3700&CssClass=
Currently, molesting vegetation in any park is prohibited.
"Three general situations exist under which taking of some plant
materials would
be warranted: the harvest for personal use of fruits and nuts from MPRB
owned trees, the
harvest and management of food production areas such as community
gardens and non-profit farms under agreement with MPRB, and the
management of vegetation by MPRB staff or others working on MPRB
authorized projects."
At the same time, consideration of a draft community garden policy has
been pulled from the agenda for the second meeting in a row. I
understand why for it contained a peculiar non-transparent process:
Commissioners were asked to vote on releasing the draft policy for a 45
day public comment period PRIOR to even seeing the draft policy! The
policy would be released on September 21st - two days after Board
approval of the comment period AND Commissioners would hear a staff
presentation on the draft policy sometime in the next 6 weeks. (Gotta
wonder if this peculiar process to elevate and extend the issue has
anything to do with all of the PB electioneering going on.)
I had a preview of this policy at a May meeting: contrary to current
Board policy, one or more private-plot gardens would be established in
every neighborhood park, fences allowed. Any 'unused' parkland might
become private garden plots as long as the site does not interfere with
current park operations. Because the private gardeners would be
considered stewards, the parkland would be available at no charge. The
"community" eligible to apply for a plot would be anyone living within 2
miles of the garden (so, for Powderhorn, about 100,000 people.) Produce
could be sold commercially with approval from PB staff. I have no idea
how much of this is contained in the final draft policy.
The Park Board approved an Urban Agriculture Plan in 2014. At that
time, the vision was to provide in-park gardens as a recreational and
learning opportunity either through the MPRB or an MPRB partner agency
(e.g. Youth Farm). Orchards would be planted as an educational resource
to be harvested by volunteer gleaning organizations with produce donated
to food shelves. Privatization of parkland was specifically prohibited.
So far, the MPRB has planted an orchard at Adams Triangle, 37th &
Minnehaha, and approved another at Lake Hiawatha. Some Hiawatha
activists are hoping to convert the golf course site to orchard. This
ordinance would divert that produce from the food shelves to private
individuals.
fyi,
Shawne FitzGerald