Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board releases proposed 2026-27 budget with 5.86% recommended increase

At the Aug. 19 Board meeting, Superintendent Al Bangoura presented his recommended 2027 and 2028 Budget for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB). 
“At the heart of this budget is a simple responsibility: We are stewards of something that belongs to the people of Minneapolis,” said Bangoura. “We have inherited a remarkable park and recreation system, and the decisions we make today will determine the strength, quality and accessibility of that system for generations to come.” 
The Superintendent’s Recommended 2027-28 Budget is the second developed under MPRB’s new two-year budget process, the first was 2026-27. When adopted in December, the MPRB’s 2027 Annual Budget will be appropriated and the 2028 budget plan will be established, with time for further analysis and refinement during 2027.  
The recommended 2027 budget includes a 5.86 percent tax levy increase, which amounts to about 1.02 percent of the overall Minneapolis property tax. This aligns with the amount the Board requested the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) consider to maintain current service levels and support increased operating needs associated with North Commons Park, Upper Harbor Park and other new and improved park amenities.  
This request of 5.86% does not align with Mayor Frey’s recommendation for a 2.5% increase to the MPRB tax levy. At the Board meeting commissioners unanimously affirmed the importance of being funded at 5.86%. On Sept. 23, BET will decide the amount MPRB will be funded at. 
“These are difficult decisions,” said Bangoura. “Our responsibility is to be honest about what it costs to provide the level of service our residents expect, while at the same time being disciplined and responsible with public resources.”  
"MPRB continues to rely heavily on property tax revenue to maintain park and recreation services, care for park assets and natural areas, invest in youth and employees, and support equitable access to Minneapolis parks," according to MPRB staff. "Over the last 10 years we have gone up 63% with the city going up 104%."
The Superintendent’s Recommended 2027-28 Budget continues implementation of revenue opportunities identified in 2026 while introducing additional strategies to strengthen MPRB’s long-term financial sustainability. These include a credit-card fee pass-through beginning in 2027, expanded sponsorship efforts planned for 2028 and continued exploration of opportunities such as mobile taphouse and billboard advertising. This is part of an ongoing initiative to reduce reliance on property tax revenue. The recommended budget also evaluates vacant positions to determine whether they continue to meet critical organizational needs, can be repurposed or should be eliminated.  
The Superintendent’s Recommended 2027-28 Budget marks the 11th year of the 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan, or NPP20. Established in 2016, NPP20 uses a criteria-based system to guide capital and rehabilitation investments in neighborhood parks. The recommended budget includes $4.8 million in General Fund property tax levy support for NPP20 operating, maintenance and repairs funding costs and $13.6 million in 2027 for neighborhood park rehabilitation and capital investments. 
The 2027-28 budget supports increased public use and activation of North Commons and Upper Harbor parks and additional service needs associated with new and improved amenities, athletic fields and the Southwest Light Rail station. Investments are proposed across park maintenance, recreation, safety, environmental stewardship and other services needed to support these facilities and increased park use.
 
2027-2030 Strategic Directions
The recommended budget funds initiatives that begin the implementation of the 2027-2030 Strategic Directions, Performance Goals and Priority Comprehensive Plan Strategies adopted by the Board in July 2026. These priorities guide annual budgets, budget actions and work plans and support implementation of the Parks for All Comprehensive Plan. The budget emphasizes caring for park amenities and infrastructure, protecting natural resources and investing in the employees who provide park and recreation services.
Strategic Direction A – Leading through Climate Action
The Board is committed to leading through climate action by integrating climate into planning, policy, and capital decisions; creating a climate-forward approach to land management; and positioning parks as community climate solutions through partnerships. This budget supports these goals through department budget actions that include identifying and developing evaluative standards to be developed for measuring climate resiliency in decision making; it will also initiate and finalize research around climate-forward land management; and research and analyze MPRB program offerings and geographical access.
Strategic Direction B – Creating Pathways for Youth Employment, Skills and Safety
The Board recognizes that investing in youth is an investment in the future of Minneapolis. It supports continued investment in parks, programs, and opportunities that help young people thrive, build strong communities, and contribute to a vibrant and healthy city. The Board is committed to creating pathways for youth employment, skills, and safety through strengthening youth employment and workforce programs, connecting these pathways for youth from elementary to employment age, and enhancing safety through staff collaboration. This budget supports these goals through the department budget actions. 
The 2027 budget also includes funding for a youth garden crew at Upper Harbor Park, part-time recreation and aquatics staff at North Commons Park, and part-time concessions staff at the golf courses. The 2028 budget plan includes funding for a stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) young adult crew at Upper Harbor Park.  These positions are largely filled by youth and young adults. To enhance safety through staff collaboration, the 2027 budget not only includes the increase in staff at North Commons Park, but also the addition of two Park Police Officers, a conversion of part-time Park Patrol Agent hours to two full-time Park Patrol Agents, and an increase in part-time Park Patrol Agent and Street Reach Attendant hours.
Strategic Direction C – Enhancing Stewardship of Natural Areas
One of the most consistent messages received from all Commissioners is the desire to enhance stewardship of natural areas. The Board is committed to increasing the quality of natural areas through focused management and protection, with an eye to future expansion. This requires funding new staffing and resources for managed natural areas. This budget supports these goals through the department budget actions. The 2027 budget includes the conversion of part-time Seasonal Natural Resources Specialists hours to three full-time Environmental Program Specialists, and the 2028 budget plan includes the addition of a full-time wildlife program position.
Strategic Direction D – Sharing our Impact, Funding our Future
Commissioners recognize the significant impact property taxes have on Minneapolis residents and the need to pursue responsible revenue diversification strategies that reduce reliance on property taxes, strengthen financial sustainability, and protect MPRB’s long-term ability to provide the world-class parks and services our residents deserve. The Board is committed to sharing our impact and funding our future through establishing and implementing an organization-wide revenue strategy and elevating MPRB’s approach to telling its story. This budget supports these goals through the department budget actions. The 2027 budget builds on the work of the staff-led Revenue Team and includes non-property tax revenue increases of $908,862 in the General Fund and $1,238,836 million in the Enterprise Fund. The budget also supports a comprehensive website redesign and strategic brand refresh.