1. Conway Park – Heart of D1 Presentation by the District 1 Community Council

2. Location of Conway Park  North of SunRay Shopping Center & I-94  In Conway neighborhood  Surrounded by large apartment complexes and modest single family homes  SunRay Library shares the park space with Conway Rec Center  Total of 22.3 acres – 8.7 acres of ballfields, 9.4 acres of open space and 4.2 acres of constructed space

3. Location, location, location

4. Recent History of the Park  In 2009 a community garden is created in the park – second in the district  In 2012 Mayor announces he is removing Conway Rec from city programming and selects a partner  2012 neighborhood asks for rec center to remain city-run  2013 city and community jointly put out a request for proposals and select a partner

5. History of Park continued  2013 CIB funds used to construct new totlot and splashpad  2013 - 2014 SunRay Library is redesigned and remodeled to create indoor and outdoor community space – but small & fenced  2014 University of St. Thomas builds science garden – “Growing Science”  2014 – 2015 Children and Nature Network and Library partner to re-naturalize part of park and identify community need for a master plan for the park

6. Univ. of St. Thomas & Conway

7. The Proposal  Build on work by community, the library, the Children and Nature Network, University of St. Thomas  Address unmet needs of area youth, especially older children and those with other recreational interests than soccer  Address unmet need of community for an identified center to the district

8. Proposal – youth basketball court

10. Proposal – local skate park

11. Proposal – picnic tables and grills, an amphitheater??

12. Use the space and the topography to create PLACE

13. Overall – a full park plan is needed…

14. Benefits and impacts of this project  Builds on previous work but also is strategic about future improvements  Enhances livability and provides for unmet need of a community center, activities for all ages and all income levels  Improves aesthetics and the asset the park represents

15. THANK YOU FOR BUILDING COMMUNITY!