The Minneapolis parks system has announced a laundry list of what it wants from the 2019 legislative session, including more funding for youth and key projects on the Mississippi River.
Some of the items piggyback off interim Superintendent Mary Merrill's 2019 budget, which highlighted a need to reinvest in youth programming.
In addition to the $100,000 bump from the 2019 property tax levy for Teen Teamworks, the board also wants lawmakers to invest another $800,000 to expand other youth employment programs, such as Conservation Corps and Urban Scholars.
"Demand for youth employment through the [Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board] is growing, but state funding has not kept pace with need and growth," according to the document.
There is a separate request for more than $1 million in funding to help provide universal day care for Minneapolis residents and "reimagining" a mentorship program called Youthline.
To bypass the law, some cities and counties hire private vendors who are able to get liquor licenses to run their bars.
The Park Board is asking legislators for more than $24 million to help several ongoing projects that are not part of Met Council's bonding request.
Included on the list of bonding projects are $3 million for the 26th Avenue project, which will create a river overlook and a trail connection from 26th to West River Parkway, and $5 million for park improvements next to the Stone Arch Bridge called Water Works.
