Armatage Neighborhood Association NRP Investments in

Armatage Community School and Park

1998 - 2008

When the ANA was first developing a NRP Full Action Plan in 1995, they surveyed the residents to identify priorities. The community center and school at the center of our neighborhood were identified as a high priority for improvements. As a result, the ANA formed a park/school task force to study the issue of potential improvements to the facilities. This turned into a multi-million dollar project with many funding partners spanning numerous years. The result is that a new gymnasium, 3 classrooms, media center, computer lab, and office and storage spaces were built which physically linked the park and school buildings into one continuous entity. Not only has the physical impact of this project enormously enhanced the opportunities for neighborhood residents, but a new spirit of cooperation has developed between the ANA, the park, and the school.

Park and School (from the ANA Phase I Plan)

PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF RECREATIONAL AND SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL AGES

Improve recreational facilities (new gym, improved fields, building improvements, updated playground area, and parking) at Armatage Park and School.

The Steering Committee worked with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Boards and Minneapolis Public Schools to develop a comprehensive plan and design for improvements to the Armatage Pay School complex (to include a gym, improved fields, building improvements, updated playground a and parking and building access). Consultants were hired, focus groups were conducted and users surveyed to determine neighborhood priorities. From this information, site plans were developed to initiate improvements at the Armatage Park/School.

The study considered the expressed needs of Armatage residents for increased recreational and social opportunities for people of all ages and the need of the expanded school population at Armatage Elementary School (the school added grades 4 and 5 in Fall 1996).

Construct Armatage Park and school improvements identified in the feasibility study and approved by the Armatage Neighborhood Association

During the First Step phase, the Park/School Task Force worked with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the Minneapolis Public Schools to conduct a feasibility study to determine which improvements to the park and school were most needed. Out of the feasibility study, it was determined to construct a new gym, media center, computer lab, playground equipment, ANA office, closer senior parking and access drive, four new classrooms, community education office, parent liaison room.

With the ANA, Minneapolis Public Schools and Minneapolis Park Board, in a collaborative effort, provided resources to construct the Armatage Park and School improvements. Armatage School and Park nucleus of our neighborhood and we believe that the new facility will fully address the needs of Armatage residents.

Armatage Park and School is the center of our community activity. It is of utmost importance to keep our neighborhood vital by being involved in the decision making process which effects our neighborhood. The playground was constructed in the fall of 1999 and has drawn an unprecedented number of families in Armatage and surrounding neighborhoods. The Armatage Community School also uses the playground on a daily basis for its entire student body grades K-5. The result has been an increased feeling of community at the park and school as the heart of our neighborhood

ANA Contracts with Armatage School and Park

Of the $1,256,054 Armatage NRP Phase I allotment, $715,000 or 57% went to Armatage School and Park.

Of the $375,682 Armatage NRP Phase II allotment contracted to date, $45,000 or 12% has gone to Armatage School and Park.