Parks Help Cool the City
This week’s interview with Paula Chesley was a reminder of how essential our parks have been to our family over the past two decades. On the day we spoke, the temperature was high and remained so for days. Our conversation included how shrinking ice seasons are making skating more difficult, a subtle but telling sign of how climate change is affecting the city. Parks aren’t just recreational—they help mitigate the “heat island” effect created by miles of concrete and asphalt.
Minneapolis is fortunate to have a robust park system. But "fortunate" isn’t quite the right word. This infrastructure exists because, in 1883, state legislators and city residents chose to create it. The system is a reminder of what effective government can accomplish. Electing people committed to stewardship is essential to protecting that legacy.
A Video Experiment
This interview was recorded at the SPEAK MPLS studio in Northeast. It’s an impressive operation, funded in part by Comcast fees, and it offers training for residents to share their stories via public access television. It’s a model worth studying. As Minneapolis looks to sustain core services without further property tax increases, funding alternatives like this deserve attention. One example might be a modest tax on sugary beverages to support mental health and substance use clinics. We're eager to hear more ideas—from both residents and candidates—about how to maintain essential services while also keeping the city affordable for residents and businesses.
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Summary of Interview
In her interview, Paula Chesley explains her decision to run for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board in District 4. She highlights her civic engagement experience, including her work on the East Isles Neighborhood Board and co-founding a local Safety Walking Club. Chesley positions herself as an action-oriented candidate who can bridge political divides and deliver tangible results.
Chesley outlines her top priorities if elected: constituent services, addressing the Park Board’s budget challenges, and creating more green space downtown, including a proposed year-round conservatory. She emphasizes her commitment to listening to residents and being responsive to community needs, like improving park infrastructure or maintaining green spaces. Chesley also stresses the need for diversified park funding to reduce reliance on rising property taxes.
Safety emerges as another key concern, with Chesley noting it was the top issue identified in a survey on her website. She discusses recent conversations with Park Police Chief Jason Ohotto and the changing use of parkways by e-bike and scooter commuters. While Chesley supports the city’s values around recreational access, she also acknowledges practical enforcement limits and budget constraints.
Finally, Chesley sets herself apart from other candidates through her organizing experience, willingness to engage across ideological lines, and pro-labor values. She voices support for maintaining winter amenities like the Lake of the Isles skating rink and proposes creative solutions, such as food vendors, to help offset costs.
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