[Mpls] Park Board Ancient History Request

[Shawne FitzGerald]

In 1883, the Board of Trade was revived with George A. Pillsbury as 
president and Col. William S. King as secretary.  With the support of 
Charles  A. Nimocks, manager of the Minneapolis Journal, they  persuaded 
the legislature was to "the park act," enabling legislation for an 
independent park board in Minneapolis.  A major reason for organization 
of the board was rapid inflation in property prices and a desire to 
continue and expand the park system that began with donations and 
zoning.  Opposition to the independent board came from the City Council 
and the Knights of Labor and others. 

A referendum was required - the issue passed 5,327 to 3,922 on 3 April 
1883.  On 27 April 1883, the City Council transferred ownership of 
existing parks to the new park board. 

The first park board was appointed - a joint committee from the Board of 
Trade, the Chamber of Commerce and City Council.  Board members were 
Charles Loring, Dorilus Morrison, John S. Pillsbury, Henry T. Welles, 
O.C. Merriman, John C. Oswald, William Eastman, George Brackett, Judson 
A. Cross, Daniel Basset, A.C. Austin and Andrew C. Haugan.  Welles and 
Merriman declined and Eugene W. Wilson and Samuel H. Chute replaced them.

Information from Rev. Marian Daniel Shutter's History of Minneapolis 
Gateway to the Northwest, 1923.  It appears that the first election for 
park board commissioners was a year after the referendum passed so in 1884.

Shawne FitzGerald
Powderhorn

Steve Cross wrote:

> I think that it's a safe bet that for most city governments the "Park 
> & Recreation" function is an integral part of city government.  I'm 
> curious when and how the separate status occurred in Minneapolis.  
> I've heard (uninformed) speculation that it's been that way in 
> Minneapolis since forever and the reason was corruption in city 
> government that make any current accusations look like child's play.  
> So its separateness was intended to try to remove it from city 
> government corruption in the now distant past.  Would someone who 
> knows for sure provide an explanation?
>
> Steve Cross
> Prospect Park