I cannot express enough gratitude to those who signed the petition in support of our beloved Minnehaha Dog Park. In less than four days, the love you have for our park was evident as we collected over 1500 signatures. For those who also attended the meeting, your dedication and energy brought our community's passion to life.

However, it is with deep disappointment that I must inform you of the Minneapolis Park Board's decision to approve Commissioner Steffanie Musich's controversial fencing plan without granting us the courtesy of a public hearing. Despite our concerted efforts to urge the board to reject the proposal and advocate for an open public meeting, our voices were disregarded.

This decision not only undermines our community's wishes but also raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability. The financial implications of the proposal remain unclear and appear to require additional taxpayer funding, issues that were not adequately addressed.

The board's decision to prioritize expedience over public engagement is deeply troubling. Park Board President Meg Forney and Commissioners Steffanie Musich, Becka Thompson, Cathy Abene, Elizabeth Shaffer, and Charles Rucker voted in favor of the plan, ignoring the emotional testimonies of constituents who use and love the park. We are grateful, however, for Commissioners Tom Olsen, Becky Alper, and Billy Menz, who stood with us and voted against the proposal.

To ensure our voices continue to be heard, I urge you to express your concerns directly to the board members. Let them know that their vote does not reflect your views:

Commissioner Cathy Abene: Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 6, Email: cabene@minneapolisparks.org
Commissioner Charles Rucker: Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 9, Email: crucker@minneapolisparks.org
Commissioner Meg Forney: Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 8, Email: mforney@minneapolisparks.org
Commissioner Steffanie Musich: Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 5, Email: smusich@minneapolisparks.org
Commissioner Elizabeth Shaffer: Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 4, Email: eshaffer@minneapolisparks.org
Commissioner Becka Thompson: Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 2, Email: bthompson@minneapolisparks.org

Additionally, please express your appreciation to those who supported us:

Commissioner Tom Olsen: Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 7, Email: tolsen@minneapolisparks.org
Commissioner Becky Alper: Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 3, Email: balper@minneapolisparks.org
Commissioner Billy Menz: Phone: 612-230-6443, Extension 1, Email: bmenz@minneapolisparks.org

To continue making our voices heard, please reach out to:

Governor: Tim Walz through this contact form. https://mn.gov/governor/connect/contact-us/contact-form.jsp

MNHS: Ben Leonard, Senior Vice President of Historic Sites Network & Operations at MNHS, via this contact page https://www.mnhs.org/contact
or by calling 651-259-3000.

Stay connected with our community and keep the conversation going by joining

Facebook: Save Minnehaha Dog Park. https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaveMinnehahaDogPark/

Together, let us continue to advocate for open, inclusive decision-making that respects the voices of the community.

Sincerely,
Michelle Garens & Saint (Irish Setter who needs space to run)