(Image: City of Skate)
A tiny Minneapolis park lying within a Hill & Lake neighborhood is soon due for some updates and upgrades. Smith Triangle, its official name, is small and highly urban, located at the northwest corner of 24th Street and Hennepin Avenue in East Isles.
According to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board website, it is classified as a “triangle and other tiny park,” and it is designated as a neighborhood park that serves nearby residents. The park is one of 37 designated triangle parks in the Minneapolis park system, and one of two in East Isles.
The Park Board website has links that chronicle the histories of different parks within the system. The site notes that Smith Triangle was “graded and seeded in 1901. Curbs and gutters were not put in until 1909.”
The park did not see any major changes until 1967, with the addition of the Thomas Lowry statue. Designed and executed by sculptor Karl Bitter, the statue was originally located in Virginia Triangle and was relocated when the state highway department purchased the park from the park board when the Lowry Tunnel was created.
Michael Jones, staff lead from the Park Board’s planning division, has been executing the community engagement plan as part of the planning process meeting with the East Isles Neighborhood Association, Temple Israel, neighboring businesses and even a representative of the local skateboarding community.
“The scope of the project includes specific funding to first prioritize renovations to the existing Thomas Lowry Memorial Sculpture.”
Per the plan, “The scope of the project includes specific funding to first prioritize renovations to the existing Thomas Lowry Memorial Sculpture. The remainder of the funding is to support additional site improvements throughout the park. Community engagement efforts within the East Isles neighborhood and with other key stakeholders will ultimately inform what improvements will be prioritized for this project.”
In both the March and May meetings, Jones and the East Isles Neighborhood Association discussed the current condition of the park and priorities for making it more welcoming and active.
Neighbors voiced concerns that the park feels neglected, has poor lighting, and occasionally hosts drug activity. Hopes for park upgrades include restoring the historic statue, improving lighting, creating intentional landscaping, and even providing a space for local skateboarders.
The first priority of the limited funding of $232,000 will be allocated to renovation of the statue. The remainder of the funds will be directed to site improvements based on community feedback. At the May meeting, it was proposed to approach the park project in two phases: restoration of the statue first, and then site upgrades with remaining funds.
Many world-class cities have small pocket parks that serve as an oasis in a concrete jungle, where one can stop for a rest and enjoy some greenery. Some even provide recreational opportunities. These parkettes are also often host to historic statues or monuments. Minneapolis is fortunate to have a park like Smith Triangle, which has the opportunity to have all of the above.
Quinton Courts writes for the Hill & Lake Press. He lives in East Isles.
