Conway Park – Heart of D1Presentation by the District 1 Community Council

Location of Conway Park North of SunRay Shopping Center & I-94 In Conway neighborhood Surrounded by large apartment complexes

and modest single family homes SunRay Library shares the park space with

Conway Rec Center Total of 22.3 acres – 8.7 acres of ballfields,

9.4 acres of open space and 4.2 acres of constructed space

Location, location, location

Recent History of the Park In 2009 a community garden is created in

the park – second in the district In 2012 Mayor announces he is removing

Conway Rec from city programming and selects a partner

2012 neighborhood asks for rec center to remain city-run

2013 city and community jointly put out a request for proposals and select a partner

History of Park continued 2013 CIB funds used to construct new totlot and

splashpad 2013 - 2014 SunRay Library is redesigned and

remodeled to create indoor and outdoor community space – but small & fenced

2014 University of St. Thomas builds science garden – “Growing Science”

2014 – 2015 Children and Nature Network and Library partner to re-naturalize part of park and identify community need for a master plan for the park

Univ. of St. Thomas & Conway

The Proposal Build on work by community, the library,

the Children and Nature Network, University of St. Thomas

Address unmet needs of area youth, especially older children and those with other recreational interests than soccer

Address unmet need of community for an identified center to the district

Proposal – youth basketball court

Proposal – local skate park

Proposal – picnic tables and grills, an amphitheater??

Use the space and the topography to create PLACE

Overall – a full park plan is needed…

Benefits and impacts of this project Builds on previous work but also is

strategic about future improvements Enhances livability and provides for

unmet need of a community center, activities for all ages and all income levels

Improves aesthetics and the asset the park represents

THANK YOU FOR BUILDING COMMUNITY!