The Saint Paul Parks Conservancy

Community partner for Saint Paul area Parks: as The trusted partner of both community and The city of Saint Paul Parks The Conservancy actively raises funds and leads partnership to improve Parks. In 2023 funds were raised and stewarded for The following projects: - completed The new system-wide Parks plan to identify equity gaps and opportunities -como woodland outdoor classroom (serving 1,500 students annually) - installed new educator welcome sign for this key nature resource for schools -fundraising work for frogtown community center -fundraising for The historic irvine park fountain restoration and launching a concert series in The park -raised a significant in-kind donation of 6,000 pieces of fitness equipment from peloton to be used across The fitness rooms of Saint Paul's 26 rec centers

The Conservancy acted as project manager for several park improvement projects, including: -swede hollow park: selected a community design advisory committee to complete The design and plant selection for The woodland garden and upper bluff circulation plan -completed The sunisa lee olympic medallion plaza and portrait bust at phalen park -selected materials for The raspberry island bandstand and prepared a campaign for restoration -conducted community engagement including events and surveys to inform The irvine park revitalization campaign

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. The frist completed project of The iniative was buillding a new playrgound at dunning park with national partner kaboom and 200 local volunteers in october 2023. Fund raising was conducted for new fields at north end community center, victoria park and highwood hills rec 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. In 2023 The Conservancy replaced two damaged linden trees in The park, 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 2023, The Conservancy carried out conservation work on The Paul manship geese at The cochran park fountain, The duck bench at marydale park and The frank boyd portrait bust at boyd 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 seven volunteer events (buckthorn removal, seed harvesting, trash pick-up) that engaged 135 volunteers in five 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