Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Thank you to everyone who supports our be- the world. He is one of the founding members
loved Loring Park. As we move into autumn,
I want to highlight some of what the Friends Presidents Message of Friends, and consults with the Minneapolis
Park Board Forestry Department on tree se-
of Loring Park has done with the generous the Loring Greenway. The Berger Fountain lection for Loring Park. Lee writes an expert
financial support you have given us. projects are part of the revised Loring Park article for every Friends newsletter, usually
Our largest investment this year was dedicat- Master Plan that has not yet been approved on trees; however, in the last newsletter and
ing $4,100 to protect the beauty and diversity by the Park Board. this edition he contributed articles on climate
of our urban forest from the emerald ash bor- change. Lee was heavily involved in the push
Friends also supports programs in the park.
er by treating twenty-four ash trees. Dr. Lee to rid Loring Parks waters of invasive cattails,
We co-sponsor, along with The Citizens for a
Frelich selected the healthiest of the ash trees and he is currently developing a list of native
Loring Park Community, the summer music
in the park for treatment. The elms need to be flowering plants that will benefit pollinators.
festival and the Aquatennial Pre-parade Fam-
treated every two years and this is the second We are very fortunate to have an expert of
ily Fun Party. We also sponsor the Loring
treatment. There are smaller expenses for his caliber giving so generously of his time
Park Guest Artist program, Yoga in the Park,
bench maintenance and plant purchases. and knowledge to Loring Park.
Picnic Operetta, and the monthly singalong
We are trying to build up our treasury for antic- with Dan Chouinard. New this year, we be- Thanks also to Pat Davies for rounding up
ipated larger capital projects: the tennis court came a co-sponsor of the People for Parks MPRB District 4 board candidate state-
reconstruction has an estimated cost over 2017 Poster Competition. (See article above.) ments. There will be a public forum at the
$300,000, so we may be contributing funds to Loring Park Community Arts Center on
I would like to point out what a tremendous
a matching grant. We have $33,000 of funds October 11th at 6:30pm. Come early or
asset it is to have board member and im-
dedicated for several projects around the pro- stay after to meet the candidates!
mediate past president Lee Frelich involved
posed Berger Fountain Plaza: reconstruction with Loring Park. Director of the Center for-
of the fountain, creation of an artist-inspired Forest Ecology at the University of Minneso- David Hile, FLP Board President
winter cover, and a raised crosswalk from ta, Lee is ranked in the top 1% of scientist in
Dr. Lee Frelich: The Science of Climate Change
Part I of this article, published in the Spring 2017 implications for the future, would be the magnitude
newsletter, described how rising CO2 concentrations in of biodiversity losses. The quality of life for everyone
the atmosphere cause warming, along with the story of depends on biodiversity. The structure and chemistry
the discovery of climate change. Part II presents the of the geosphere (soils and rocks), hydrosphere
changing climate and what it may mean at global (groundwater, lakes, rivers, oceans) and
and local scales. atmosphere, their abilities to form ecosystems
Global circulation models that scientists have that produce food, medicines and most
developed can project the effects of future products that we use daily, as well as the
scenarios on global and regional climates. maintenance of this infrastructure at global
Lets consider two scenarios that bracket the and local scales, has been provided free
range of possibilities for the 21st Century and of charge by the Earths diversity of life
beyond. For the business as usual scenario we forms. Recovery from mass extinctiondue
continue to use fossil fuels as the major source of to ocean acidification, habitat loss and inability
energy until they run out, while the reduced emissions of species to keep up with changing climate
scenario would emphasize renewable energy and follow associated with the business as usual scenariocould
the Paris Agreement of 2015. These would lead to 1000- only occur via evolution of new species and ecosystems,
1200 parts per million (ppm) atmospheric CO2 and 6-12 and would take millions of years. In contrast, the reduced
degrees F climate warming or 500-600 ppm CO2 and 2-4 emissions scenario promises smaller, solvable problems,
F warming by the end of the 21st Century, respectively. and recovery within a few centuries, with the potential
for many new jobs in the renewable energy and food
For the business as usual scenario, tree species, forest production sectors of the economy.
types and the wildlife species dependent on them would
move 300 miles northwards by centuries end, and continue Loring Park serves as a microcosm for the effects of
moving for several more centuries. Minnesota would climate change. For the reduced emissions scenario some
become the new Kansas, with oak savanna, even in the of the trees currently growing in Loring Park might survive
Boundary Waters. Sea level would rise several feet by into the 22nd Century. Urban trees have more leeway
2100, but that would just be the start of a 250 foot rise with climate than forest trees, due to less competition with
that would take place over the following centuries, with the other trees, watering at time of planting, and treatments
loss of Florida, Louisiana and Delaware, and many of the for insects and diseases. In contrast, for the business as
worlds great cities. Ocean acidification by CO2 forming usual scenario, given the global problems that would be in
carbonic acid, combined with ocean warming could easily play, the fate of the park would be like that of a leaf being
lead to spread of oceanic dead zones and extinction of swept down a flooding stream. The changing climate would
many species. In contrast, the reduced emissions scenario likely overwhelm the resilience that urban trees have, lead
would lead to a 100-150 mile northward shift in tree species to death of all trees currently in the park, and no newly
that would then stabilize, allowing persistence of forest in planted tree of any species would grow to maturity before
the Boundary Waters, including some favorite tree species the climate changed, possibly enough to exclude the
like white pine. Sea level, after rising only a few feet this species. The pond would alternately flood and evaporate.
century, would also stabilize at only 20-40 feet above The diversity of species in the park would plummet as both
current levels several centuries henceforth, with much less natural and human infrastructures crumble.
damage to ocean ecosystems. At this point measures such as annual increases in
I leave the potential effects of the business as usual CO2 indicate that we are following the business as
scenario on societyeconomic loss of ocean shoreline usual scenario. However, the scientific knowledge and
as the most valuable real estate in the world, loss of the technology needed to follow the reduced emissions
oceans as a food source and impacts of mega droughts scenario exists at this time, and doing so, combined with
on the worlds major food basketsto the readers helping the planets diversity of species get through the
imagination. Many scenarios could lead to decimation of current bottleneck, could lead to a stable, sustainable and
food sources, income and quality of life for everyone. For prosperous planet.
scientists, the largest difference between the business as Lee E. Frelich, Director
usual and reduced emissions scenarios, with important University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology
2
Introducing District 4 Park Board Candidates
Jono Cowgill Tom Nordyke
I am running for Park Board be- My twenty plus years of experi-
cause I believe it is time for a ence in the unique field of Af-
new generation of responsive, fordable Housing and Real Es-
energetic leadership. I want to tate Development for the Arts
has given me a good objective
help support a park system that
outlook of what it takes to turn
works for everybody; a park
a development from an idea to
system where we all feel en- a finished project. My under-
franchised to be stewards of our standing of government rela-
local parks. tions, along with historic pres-
I grew up in these parksI attended Kenwood Rec Plus ervation, and affordable housing financing over the past
and played park board sports. Today I work as an urban twenty years has made me a leader in this field.
planner helping lift up community voices in planning and I have helped with the revitalization of numerous cities
urban design projects. I went to South High and have a through historic preservation, and economic development
Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the Hum- within various arts. Through this collaboration, and local
phrey School of Public Affairs. partners I have been a vanguard in the field of housing
There are a few core ways I believe we can build a better for the arts for over 20 years. As a candidate for election
system together. my track record demonstrates a history of creating win-win
strategies that benefit numerous communities across the
1. We can work together to build a 21st century park
country. I am committed to building creative communities
system that is for and by the people. We can foster
that support and sustain the arts.
greater flexibility and responsiveness in our parks by
breaking down programming budgets park-by-park. As I began my career in this creative work as Vice President
a former Lowry Hill East neighborhood board member I for Artspace Projects, Inc., the national leader in the field
know that is local residents who best understand what of developing affordable live/work space that meets the
our local parks need. unique needs of artists. I collaborated with the President
and Board to transform this local organization into Ameri-
2. We can be forward-thinking on sustainability and equity.
cas leading developer of space for the arts.
Lets invest in a climate action plan and move towards pes-
ticide free parks! We also need to continue to weave equity Since 2003 as W+Noordijk, Inc., I have provided independent
through all decision making. As the the primary author of consulting on issues of real estate acquisition, finance, de-
a transformative study that brought an equity lens to all St sign and marketing. This has continued my passion and love
Paul infrastructure spending, I know what it takes to make for creating affordable live/work spaces for creative artists.
equity work in policy. I served on the Minneapolis Park Board from 20062010,
and I was elected Park Board President from 20092010.
3. A better park system also means a safer park system.
If I am elected my main priorities will be:
It is time we recognize that active parks are safe parks.
Lets activate our public spaces with dynamic, intergen- 1. Continue to address funding disparity in traditionally un-
erational programming. Im an urban planner who works derserved neighborhood parks.
with communities to activate public space. I know that ac- 2. Work with the city of Minneapolis to continue the partnership
tive parks benefit us all by increasing safety and ensuring of infrastructure funding in our parks and Parkway system.
we know our neighbors. 3. Work with the park board staff to resolve issues of cultural
I think we all recognize that now, more than ever, it is criti- bias in our neighborhood parks recreation and programming.
cal we know and take care of all our neighbors. I am asking 4. Provide experienced and seen leadership to the na-
for your support today as a neighbor who is ready to be tions number one park system! I look forward to serving
part of a new generation of leadership. Minneapolis again!
5
Loring Park Activities Calendar
Fall and Winter Wont Stop the Fun!
Yoga in the Park Thursdays, 67:00pm, through 11/30
Free. Friendly people in a casual setting. No yoga on 9/26.
Meditation in the Gardens Fridays, 78:00am, through 10/27
Free. Come join us. We always have another chair and theres
enough coffee for all - good friends too.
Community Singalongs Third Tuesdays, 78:30pm
Free. Dan Chouinard leads all in song - all ages and abilities.
Holidazzle Nov 24Dec 24. Learn more: www.holidazzle.com
Loring Park will be hopping during this winter festival!
Questions? Ask the Loring Park Recreation Supervisor!
Email Julie Sandin jsandin@minneapolisparks.org
or call 612-370-4779. To see more offerings, please visit
the MPRB website: https://tinyurl.com/mprb2017
Enjoy hot cocoa and smores TRIVIA ANSWER: J. Paul Gettys parents, George and
Sarah, lived at the now razed Loring Apartments when he
around the bonfire! All ages. was born in 1892. Their first child, a daughter, died in the
typhoid epidemic that struck the city in 1890. The Gettys
moved to Oklahoma in 1904, where George, a corporate
Tuesday, October 31, 6-8pm lawyer, became an oilman, founding the Minnehoma Oil
Company. The rest is history.
Friends of Loring Park | P.O.Box 52074 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | 55402 | 612 673-5395