The Saint Paul Parks Conservancy was founded in 2008 as the champion of Saint Paul’s award-winning park system. With your help, the Conservancy carries out Saint Paul’s vision of equitable access to active lifestyles, vibrant places, and a vital environment.
Organization History
In 2007, the City of Saint Paul approached the McKnight Foundation for seed money to determine the feasibility of creating a non-profit organization to generate support from private individuals, corporations, and foundations for new park enhancements, programs and facilities.
After the study was completed, the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy (SPPC) formed its first board of directors and became a 501 (c) (3) in May of 2008. The SPPC defined its work as carrying out the vision of the 2008 Saint Paul Parks and Recreation plan calling for active lifestyles, vibrant places, and a vital environment.
Our Priorities
The Saint Paul Parks Conservancy seeks to build on the legacy of our park system while inspiring innovations that respond to emerging needs. We do this by raising and pooling funds from individuals, businesses, and foundations and working with the Department of Parks and Recreation to:
- Elevate the role that parks play to make our city vibrant, healthy, and livable;
- Respond to emerging cultural, environmental, and recreational needs; and,
- Invest in park infrastructure, beautification, and amenities in Saint Paul’s neighborhood parks, with particular attention to underserved areas in the city
Since the Conservancy was founded, we have raised approximately $2.5 million to support Saint Paul parks projects and programs.
Investment Criteria
The ideal projects for the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy investment are those of high quality, and:
- Need to be done
- Are ready to be activated
- There is public appetite for the project
- Inspire investment and funds can be leveraged
- Partnerships can be harnessed
- Can demonstrate success
- Provides an opportunity for the Parks Conservancy to lead
- Parks Conservancy funds are needed to make a significant difference while preserving our visibility and sustainability
