Chute Square Park is a one-acre park at the gateway to Northeast Minneapolis. It is a place to walk, enjoy a leisurely lunch, or relax and watch the vibrant Northeast scene. The park is the site of the first University of Minnesota building and is home to the Ard Godfrey house, the oldest frame house still standing in Minneapolis. The Greek revival-style house was moved to Chute Square in 1907 and was extensively restored by the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis.

Today this neighborhood gem awaits neighborhood contributions to implement a planned update of park amenities being spearheaded by the newly-formed Friends of Chute Square Park. The proposed renewal plan will help maintain and improve the welcoming ambience of the park, ensure nighttime safety and enhance neighborhood property values.

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• Createwelcomingentries at corners by building small entrance areas

• Improvesafety by adding pedestrian-scaled lights along the paths and in the central plaza

• Createafestivenighttimeatmosphere with decorative up-lighting on several park trees

• Encouragerelaxinginthepark by adding new and more sturdy picnic tables that will complement the new benches

• Brightenupthepark by replacing existing benches with brightly colored, elegant and more inviting models

• Improvehandicap access to the Ard Godfrey house through integrated universal design

• Createsafewalkingsurfaces for pedestrians by replacing worn asphalt walks with new charcoal gray colored concrete paths

• Createabrighterandmoreattractiveenvironment through a plan that will enhance community health, attractiveness and property values - all proven benefits of neighborhood parks.

Design Solutions

Park ElementsNewPicnicTables

There currently are two heavily used picnic tables in the park. Two new square tables will be purchased - one to provide additional seating and handicap access and another to replace one of the old tables. This will bring the total number of tables to three; new tables will be located adjacent to the existing table built in 1940 by the WPA which will remain due to its historic designation.

NewPedestrian-scaledLights

There are only three pedestrian-scaled lights around the park and these provide light only around the perimeter rather than within the park. Additional new lights selected to fit with the historic nature of the park will be located around the central plaza and adjacent to each pathway to illuminate the park’s interior, making it safer and more inviting.

NewBrightlyColoredBenches

Currently the benches in the park are old and several are broken. New benches located around the central plaza and paths will add a vibrant updated and more inviting feel. The bright colors will be especially attractive when contrasted with the winter snow.

NewUp-lightingtoHighlightTrees

Several park trees will be highlighted with ground level soft reflected energy-efficient lighting to extend the beauty of nature into the nighttime. The improved ambience will enhance the aesthetics of the park by creating an attractive, safe and welcoming ambience.

2NewEntryPlazasand4UpdatedPaths

The four corner entrances and paths in the park are uninviting and undistinguished. New entry plazas on the two University Avenue corner entrances will provide welcoming and more accessible gateways to the park. Updated concrete paths to replace the deteriorating asphalt will add to the overall attractiveness of the park. An integrated design will improve handicap access to the Ard Godfrey house.

Existing Conditions Proposed Elements

Existing benches are worn and broken.

There are not enough lights in the park.

Existing picnic tables are deteriorating.

Existing pavement is in poor condition.

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University Ave SE

Cent

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Bank St SE

Ortman St SE

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Friends of Chute Square Park

Mail to:

Friends of Chute Square Parkc/o Cobalt Condominiums Association45 University Avenue SEMinneapolis, MN 55414

PLACE STAMPHERE

a group of committed neighbors working together to restore and renew the park and inviting you to:

• View the plan at designated neighborhood events• Support the project with your contribution• Enjoyrecognition in the park with a major gift• Thankthefollowing for their contributions and support.

Cuningham Group Architecture, P. A.Duane A. Kell, ArchitectMinneapolis Park & recreation BoardMinneapolis Parks FoundationThe Woman’s Club of MinneapolisScott Parkin

ContactInformation

Friends of Chute Square Parkc/o Cobalt Condominiums Association45 University Avenue SEMinneapolis, MN 55414

Lou Burdick 612-339-4053LueyBird@gmail.com

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    Friends of Chute Square Park              Renewing Our Neighborhood Gem

YES! I/we want to join my neighbors in support of the project to refresh and renew the historic Chute Square Park for the benefit of all who enjoy it as wonderful feature of great benefit to our neighborhood.

Contributor Information:

Name(s): _____________________________________________

Street Address: ________________________________________

City: _____________________ State: _________ Zip: ________

Phone: ___________________ Email: _____________________

___ I would prefer that this contribution and/or my name be kept confidential.

Donation: ___ $5,000 Leader* ___ $2,500 Champion* ___$1,000 Benefactor* ___ $500 Supporter ___ $250 Booster ___ $100 Helper ___ $50 Fan ___ $25 Neighbor ___ Other: $_________

_____ Yes. I’d like to help with this neighborhood project. Give me a call at: _______________

Method of Payment

___Check enclosed payable to Foundation for Minneapolis Parks, the fiscal agent for the Chute Square Park project. Please forward with completed form to: Friends of Chute Square Park, c/o Cobalt Condominiums Association, 45 University Avenue S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55414. ___ I prefer to make a pledge for the above amount and understand my gift will be due on December 30, 201l, when I will receive a written request for funds from Friends of Chute Square Park ___ I’ll use my credit card and donate online at www.mplsparksfoundation.org. Click on Support Mpls Parks & then BE SURE to click the dropdown box to check Donation Designation: Chute Square Park so your donation goes to this project.

Contributions to Foundation for Minneapolis Parks (Tax ID#20-0715686) are tax deductible.

Questions? Contact Friends of Chute Square Park, Lou Burdick at 612.339.4053 or LueyBird@gmail.com *Contributions at the $1,000+ level are eligible for public recognition in the park.

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