Rhoda Lewin Papers on the Kenwood Park Neighborhood Center

Collection

Identifier: M/A 0227

Staff Only

Description of Contents

The collection includes newspaper clippings; petitions; correspondence; proposals; news releases; statements; programs; park board Capital Improvement Program, 1981-1985; and minutes from various meetings. The newspaper clippings discuss the proposed plans, controversy, and beginning of construction. The correspondence, news releases, proposals, petitions, statements, programs, and capital improvement plan give vivid detail of the back and forth dialogue and controversy between the City of Minneapolis, the park board, and Kenwood residents.

Dates

Creation: 1979 - 1985

Creator

Kenwood Park Citizens Planning Committee (Organization)

Access

The collection is available for use in Special Collections at Minneapolis Central Library during the department's open hours.

History

The Kenwood Park Neighborhood Center was a contentious and controversial construction project that met both significant opposition and support from Kenwood residents in the planning stages from 1979-1983. Opposition came in the form of a lawsuit against the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the City of Minneapolis by Kenwood residents Charleen Bacigalupo, Michael Bress, and Betty Lillehei. Support came in the form of a Kenwood Park Citizens Planning Committee, which also consisted of Kenwood residents. Eventually, the proposed plan won out in 1983, due to majority neighborhood support and financial difficulties for the opposition in court. The Kenwood Park Neighborhood Center was completed in 1984.