The Saint Paul Parks Conservancy

Fundraising partner/fiscal agent for Saint Paul Parks and recreation: as The trusted partner of Saint Paul Parks and recreation, The Conservancy actively raises funds and leads consortiums of partner agencies. Additionally, The organization serves as The fiscal agent for philanthropic funds for various park projects and volunteer groups. In 2022 funds were raised and stewarded for The following projects: -restoration of cochran park fountain -como woodland outdoor classroom (serving 1,500 students) - project design and planning for new educator welcome sign for this key nature resource for schools -building a new half-pipe skate park facility at battle creek park -design and project planning for pedro park, capital city bikeway, historic irvine park, margaret park, frogtown community center, north end community center additionally, The following park volunteer groups became fiscally sponsored organizations of The Conservancy: friends of mears park, friends of wacouta commons park, friends of pedro 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. 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 2022, The Conservancy conserved The following iconic bronze sculptures: "f. scott fitzgerald- and "The source" (rice park), "nathan hale," "The new york eagle,- and "indian hunter and dog" (summit ave Parks). Finally, The Conservancy worked to expand access and engagement in key Parks: -launched a two-year pilot project designed to expand hands-on art and music programs in underserved neighborhood Parks located in areas of concentrated poverty. More than 1,800 youth and families were reached with free programs. -tech for all initiative: dprovide new computers and scholarships for tech camps at north dale rec center -held three spanish/englaish nature walks at swede hollow park

-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 seven volunteer events (buckthorn removal, seed harvesting, trash pick-up) that engaged 140 volunteers in five Parks -recognzed twelve volunteers of The year at The signature celebration "party for The Parks" - The first city-wide Parks and rec volunteer awards

Second accomplishment: partner for Parks capital campaign: The Conservancy is in The early (quiet) phase of a 5 m campaign to expand equity and access within The park system so that all families have what they need to thrive in their own neighborhood. The following progress was made on captial projects completed in 2022: - new system-wide Parks plan to identify equity gaps and opportunities -wacouta commons park - new playground at this park that serves 180 families of color in adjacent low-income housing -swede hollow park - cultural/interpretive signs installed; design work begun on upper bluff and woodland garden; partnered on water study for restoring flow to phalen creek -completed a design feasiblity study for The raspberry island bandstand to prepare for restoration -fundraising work for north end community center fields and solar array -fundraising work for frogtown community center

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.