Skafte and Smaller

Robert Skafte and Lorraine Smaller probably did not know one another but their stories intersected at our board meeting last evening.

The board unanimously passed a resolution directing MPRB staff to investigate taking site control of the Overlook Garden from MnDOT and beginning the naming in Robert Skafte’s honor. Two amendments were added to the resolution - one clarifying the SW parks long-range plan did include a search for more park land in the Stevens Square neighborhood and the second were edits correcting the dates of Skafte’s service and the community use of the Overlook Garden.

Other powerful voices of the community were present at this board meeting discussing naming parks. On the agenda was a public hearing regarding the renaming of Farwell Park to Lorraine B. Smaller Park. Community leaders, family and Senator Champion all testified to the impact Ms. Smaller had in her neighbors lives through her years of service in Farwell Park. For some encouragement and hope about what communities are doing around parks, I urge you to listen to these powerful stories beginning at the 51:15 mark: 2/7/24 Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board of Commissioners Meeting (youtube.com).

I support a relook at our MPRB naming policy in order to support park name changes outside the traditional two year process….honoring people like Lorraine Smaller and Robert Skafte who have served the community and our parks for years.