Show your support to Met Council

The 9-hole master plan is currently up for approval by the Metropolitan Council. Met Council is a regional authority that oversees projects for the greater Twin Cities metro area. Because Hiawatha-Nokomis is officially a regional park, the master plan must be approved by Met Council as well as by the Minneapolis park board.

We want to make sure Met Council hears loud and clear that the people of Minneapolis support this plan. Please take a few minutes to write to the members of the council and ask them to vote yes.

How to help

Send an email to the full board of Met Council representatives telling them why you care about the Hiawatha Master Plan. If you’d like to send a personalized note to the Council Member that represents your district, you can find a map here.

To:

Charlie Zelle <Charles.Zelle@metc.state.mn.us>, Judy Johnson <judy.johnson@metc.state.mn.us>, Reva Chamblis <reva.chamblis@metc.state.mn.us>, Tyronne Carter <Tyronne.Carter@metc.state.mn.us>, Deb Barber <deb.barber@metc.state.mn.us>, Anjuli Cameron <Anjuli.Cameron@metc.state.mn.us>, John Pacheco Jr. <john.pacheco@metc.state.mn.us>, Robert Lilligren <robert.lilligren@metc.state.mn.us>, Yassin Osman <Yassin.Osman@metc.state.mn.us>, Diego Morales <Diego.Morales@metc.state.mn.us>, Peter Lindstrom <peter.lindstrom@metc.state.mn.us>, Susan Vento <susan.vento@metc.state.mn.us>, Gail Cederberg <Gail.Cederberg@metc.state.mn.us>, Chai Lee <chai.lee@metc.state.mn.us>, Toni Carter <Toni.Carter@metc.state.mn.us>, Tenzin Dolkar <Tenzin.Dolkar@metc.state.mn.us>, Wendy Wulff <wendy.wulff@metc.state.mn.us>, Colin Kelly <Colin.Kelly@metc.state.mn.us>

Sample letter:

Chair Zelle and Metropolitan Council Members,

I’m asking you to vote to approve the Hiawatha Golf Course Area Plan and respect the democratic process that has brought this Plan before you. It is an equitable plan that considers all stakeholders, including golfers, and addresses the terrible pollution and flooding issues at Lake Hiawatha. Our community wants a clean lake, a sustainable golf course, and a revitalized park. We’ve waited many years for this plan to be put into action and it’s time to move it forward.

[This park/plan is important to me because…]

Thanks,

[Your name]

[Your neighborhood]

Show your support to Met Council

We want to make sure Met Council hears loud and clear that the people of Minneapolis support this plan. Please take a few minutes to write to the members of the council and ask them to vote yes.

How to help

To:

Sample letter:

Chair Zelle and Metropolitan Council Members,

I’m asking you to vote to approve the Hiawatha Golf Course Area Plan and respect the democratic process that has brought this Plan before you. It is an equitable plan that considers all stakeholders, including golfers, and addresses the terrible ongoing pollution of Lake Hiawatha. Our community wants a clean lake, a sustainable golf course, and a revitalized park. We’ve waited many years for this plan to be put into action and it’s time to move it forward.

Thanks,

[Your name]

[Your neighborhood]

Why should Shaffer support the plan?

The nine hole plan is the result of eight years of community engagement, and takes into account the perspectives of Black golfers, Dakota people, neighbors, park users, and environmentalists, all while responsibly addressing the flooding and pollution issues.

A nine hole golf course increases inclusivity by creating a welcoming space for new golfers, casual golfers, women, and young people.

The nine hole plan expands opportunities for youth sports by adding golf simulators and other learning facilities, and by creating improved ski trails with snowmaking capabilities.

The nine hole plan rewilds and restores natural spaces around the lake, increasing biodiversity and providing opportunities to connect city residents with nature.

The nine hole plan puts us on a path of sustainability and resilience in the face of changing demographics and a changing climate. We cannot wait any longer to start preparing our city for the future.

Want to do more?

Contact Jacob Frey

If the September 7th vote passes 5-4, the plan will go to Mayor Frey with an option to veto. Contact him and ask him not to veto the plan! Let him know that a veto would only cause more delay and more harm, and would put Public Works between a rock and a hard place, since they still have an obligation to treat stormwater pollution.

Email Frey: jacob.frey@minneapolismn.gov

Also contact policy aide Suzanne Sobotka: suzanne.sobotka@minneapolis.mn.gov or 612-673-5485

Contact the rest of the park board

Phone numbers and information on districts can be found here. Please feel free to email all commissioners at once, or write a personal message to each of them for an even greater impact. Thank the supporters for their work on the plan, and ask the opponents to reconsider their stance.

Supporters of the nine hole plan

President Meg Forney

mforney@minneapolisparks.org

Commissioner Tom Olsen

tolsen@minneapolisparks.org

Commissioner Becky Alper

balper@minneapolisparks.org

Commissioner Steffanie Musich

smusich@minneapolisparks.org

Commissioner Cathy Abene

cabene@minneapolisparks.org

Opponents of the nine hole plan