Columbia Park Neighborhood Association

Columbia Park Neighborhood Association

CPNA

Located in northeast Minneapolis, Columbia Park has a population of approximately 1650 people. It is bounded by 37th Avenue NE on the north, Central Avenue on the east, 27th Ave NE & St. Anthony Parkway on the south and University Ave. & the Mississippi River on the west. (See Map on top).

The neighborhood contains major pieces of land owned by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The largest is Columbia Park with its main attraction, the Columbia Park Golf Course. Columbia offers a challenging 18 holes while guaranteeing a work-out as you scale it’s many hills. The golf course also contains a driving range and learning center where one can brush up on the game before taking to the course.

Golf, however, is not the only activity to be found at Columbia Park. There are hay bails to practice your archery, walking paths if you believe "golf is just a good walk spoiled," and the newly renovated north part of Columbia, truly the PARK in Columbia Park. This park, or diamond in the rough, is full of possibilities for people of all ages. It contains an incredible playground, horseshoe pits, tennis courts, sand volleyball, picnic tables, a picnic shelter, and last but not least a regulation rugby field.

At the south end of the park there is a dog run availble to pet owners. Contact the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board ( see links on homepage) to get your pet registered to use the DOG PARK.

Additionally, those challenging hills you curse while you’re golfing in the summer make incredible sledding and cross country skiing when winter rolls around.

Other areas of interest in the Columbia Park Neighborhood:
- Do you enjoy reminiscing about the "good old days" when the railroad was a major part of American life? Then take a walk to the St. Anthony Parkway bridge and ponder the Canadian Pacific Railroad (CP Rail) yards to the southeast and the Burlington Northern (BN) yards to the northwest.
- A smaller park in the neighborhood sits on the corner of Main Street and 35th Ave NE - Hi View Park. Hi View’s main attraction is a children’s wading pool with a giant turtle in the middle that squirts water at swimmers. Hi View also has picnic tables, a ball field, horseshoe pitch and a basketball court.
- If walking is your game, the walking paths along the Mississippi river are peaceful, beautiful and allow for great viewing of the Ol’ Miss. They are part of the "Grand Rounds" a part of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Boards trail and parkway system. Follow it going west and you will connect Victory Parkway, Wirth Park and on to Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet, Minnehaha Creek, Lake Nokomis, and the Mississippi River Gorge. Planning is underway to complete the missing link which will connect NE and SE to the Mississippi and the gorge from the east.

Public Education:
Whether or not one has children the education of a neighborhood’s youth is vital for its success. The Columbia Park Neighborhood is part of the Minneapolis Public Schools.
Minneapolis has 63 elementary programs( some k-5 some k-8), eight middle schools (6-8), seven high schools and 23 alternative programs. Families may choose community or magnet schools. Community schools develop programs to meet community needs and interests. Elementary magnets are fine arts/performing arts, math/science/technology, Montessori, open, urban environmental, Spanish immersion, American Indian and extended day and early education center. Schools within a few miles of the neighborhood include Waite Park Elementary, Northeast Middle School, and Edison High School.

Minnesota also offers the option of Charter School and the Columbia Park Neighborhood is the home of the Learning for Leadership Charter just west of Columbia Park Golf Course.

What goes on in the Columbia Park Neighborhood?

Many activities take place in the Columbia Park Neighborhood that allow you to get involved, have fun and meet your neighbors all at the same time.
Some examples of these have been:
A neighborhood wide garage sale. Always a huge success.

Procrastinator’s Night Out at the Manor. Work on unfinished projects with other procrastinators.

Tai Chi. Harmony among body, mind and nature.

Container Gardening. Grow with you neighbors.

Rugby Tournaments. Watch the seven-a-side teams battle it out on the new field at Columbia Park.

Cross Country Ski Class. Battle those hills at
Columbia Park.

Watch for information about these and other upcoming activities in your Columbia Park Neighborhood Association Newsletter.

Get Involved:
If none of the above activities appeal to you and you have others in mind, let the CPNA know your ideas. Voice your opinion about current events happening in the area, or changes you’d want to see made. Come to a board meeting, send a letter, an e-mail, or even call. The only way a Neighborhood Organization can work effectively is if it has participation and input from it’s citizens.

What is the CPNA?
CPNA stands for the Columbia Park Neighborhood Association. CPNA’s mission is to give residents of the neighborhood a forum to be actively involved in maintaining the quality of life in the neighborhood in which they live.

How is the CPNA Funded?
The CPNA is funded by the Minneapolis Community Development Agency (MCDA)and the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP).

Who makes up the CPNA?
Anyone who resides, owns property, owns a business, or is employed within the boundaries of the Colombia Park Neighborhood can be a member of the CPNA. Board meetings are held the 3rd Monday of each month at Columbia Park Manor (33rd and Central NE).

How can I find out more about the CPNA?
Keep your eyes out for the CPNA’s newsletter, The Columbia Park Neighborhood News. It is delivered to every Columbia Park business & resident four times a year. You can also write the CPNA at:
Columbia Park Neighborhood Association
PO Box 21593
Mpls, MN 55421

or see the CPNA web-site at:
www.neighborhoodlink.com/Columbia_Park/home

Useful Community Contacts, Web-Sites, and Phone Numbers in Our Neighborhood.

Columbia Park Neighborhood Association:

Co-Chairs Mike Melman and Sue Bembenek
Community Organizer Kathy Buchanan

Newsletter Editor Peter Doughty

Public Officials:

Mayor R.T. Rybak (612) 673-2100

Ward 1 Council Member
Paul Ostrow (612) 673-2203

Park Board Commissioner Walter Dziedzic

Web-Sites:

Minnesota Community Development Agency:
http://www.mcda.org

Hennepin County:
http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us

Neighborhood Revitalization Program
http://www.nrp.org

City of Minneapolis:
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
http://www.minneapolisparks.org

WHAT IS THE CPNA ?

CPNA stands for the Columbia Park Neighborhood Association. CPNA’s mission is to give residents of the neighborhood a forum to be actively involved in maintaining the quality of life in the neighborhood in which they live.

How is the CPNA Funded?
The CPNA is funded by CPED and the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP).

Who makes up the CPNA?
Anyone who resides, owns property,or owns a business within the boundaries of the Colombia Park Neighborhood and is at least 18 years of age can be a member of the CPNA. Board meetings are held monthly on the 3rd Monday at 6:30 pm at Columbia Park Manor (33rd and Central NE). We meet on the 4th Monday during January and February because of the holidays. We vacation in July and December.

How can I find out more about the CPNA?
Keep your eyes out for the CPNA’s newsletter, The Columbia Park Neighborhood News. It is delivered to every Columbia Park business & resident four times a year. You can also write the CPNA at:
Columbia Park Neighborhood Association
PO Box 21593
Mpls, MN 55421

our e-mail is CPNA-NRP@yahoogroups.com ( see the contacts link)

or see the CPNA web-site at:
www.neighborhoodlink.com/Columbia_Park/info