September 2010 - Parks & Recreation - 55

By Andrea Lynn

I

t wa s o n ly f i tt i n g T HAT
John Erwin's career path led him to
serve on the Minneapolis Park and
Recreation Board. The city's parks were what
attracted him to the city in the first place.

Minneapolis
park system
	

Scott Larson

An inside look
at the unique

" As a part of the tour of the city for the job interview, they took me around the lakes and parks system, and I fell in love with the city, " says Erwin, of the
visit in the late 80s. " It was May, and there were separate trails and many people jogging on them. I was
impressed with how vibrant the park system was. It
was obvious that people loved being in the parks and
were using them. It was a good reflection on the city. "
Erwin, a horticulture professor specializing in floriculture and landscaping at the University of Minnesota,
is currently serving his second term on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, this term as a Commissioner At-Large. With grandparents on both sides
sporting green thumbs, Erwin grew up fascinated with
plants and science. At a certain point, it was just natural to merge these two loves together as a horticulture
scientist.
One of his motivations to join the Minneapolis Park
and Recreation Board was to relay his love for the park
system and make a contribution, especially to an organization that had brought so much joy and use to him.
" As a father of a son who played sports in the parks and
as a regular runner and biker, I appreciate the critical
role our parks play in offering access to sports and exercise opportunities, " says Erwin.
The Minneapolis Park System is made up of nearly 6,732 acres of land and water, including local and
regional parks, playgrounds, golf courses, gardens,
picnic areas, biking and walking paths, and nature
sanctuaries.
And while there are many innovative and beautiful parks throughout the world, Erwin believes Minneapolis provides an abundance of them, many with
unique offerings.
" There are 183 parks in the system, with parks
embedded throughout all the neighborhoods in the
city. Residents are no more than six to 10 blocks from
a park, " Erwin says. The other plus is how Minneapolis parks have incorporated the natural resources

www . N R P A . O R G

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September 2010 - Parks & Recreation

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