1. Vision
St. Anthony Park reaches out and communicates to all residents including new residents and renters to engage them in the community. We maintain a comprehensive and active block leader program that promotes crime prevention, community functions and recycling to all neighborhood residents. We build strong community/institutional and community/business partnerships. We encourage the use of public spaces and parks for gathering, and promote investment in and beautification of public and private gathering spaces. New large developments are evaluated for their contribution to the inventory of community space within St. Anthony Park.
2. Objectives and Strategies
C1. Community Building, Outreach and Communication. Reach out to all residents, businesses, community institutions and neighboring communities, including those in Minneapolis, to enhance the quality of city life and to implement this plan.
- C1a. Establish and reinforce relationships with adjacent neighborhoods, business groups and institutions (PPERRIA, SE Como, Falcon Heights, Merriam Park, Como Park, University of Minnesota, Fairgrounds, University United, etc.) to implement key proposed land use and transportation components of this plan.
- C1b. Develop a communications strategy to encourage greater integration and participation in the community, especially by renters, condo residents, new residents, seniors, businesses and immigrant families.
- C1c. Revitalize the existing system of block clubs and block workers.
- C1d. Work with realtors to identify new community members and distribute information about the neighborhood including ways to be involved and connect with other residents.
- C1e. Support and coordinate the creation of an ad-hoc advisory group for senior affairs to address issues including transportation, housing and social needs. The group should bring together the organizations in the neighborhood that provide service to seniors including (but not limited to): Chore Service, Block Nurse Program, Diamond Club, Methodist Church, Meals on Wheels, and School Mentor program.
- C1f. Explore ways to fully utilize shared resources, needs and services with area religious and cultural communities to meet our common goals of building community while respecting the separation of church and state.
- C1g. Partner with existing organizations in the community (SAP Foundation, Booster Club, Business Associations, etc.) to support community-building activities.
- C1h. Support vital community-building events/activities and their sponsors to build new community connections and strengthen continuing connections, including (but not limited to): the progressive dinner (volunteer sponsored), Mayfest (Hampden Park Coop), Art Fair (Friends of the Library), 4th of July (by volunteers), Garden Tour (Garden Club), Home Tour (SAPCC or volunteers), book clubs, etc.
- C1i. Explore new strategies to connect members of the community, such as a good neighbor program, adopt-agrandparent, etc.
- C1j. Utilize the large amount of neighborhood social capital and talent by organizing and promoting a web-based volunteer matching system using the SAPCC website to coordinate volunteers and needs.
C2. Community Assets. Identify ways that existing community and institutional assets in St. Anthony Park could better serve the community.
- C2a. Maintain and strengthen existing institutions including the library, Murray Jr. High, St. Anthony Park Elementary, and the Post Office.
- C2b. Maintain and strengthen small neighborhood commercial retail, especially basic services that residents can walk to: grocery, hardware, etc. and lively centers of attraction.
- C2c. Strengthen levels of police, fire and emergency services.
- C2d. Explore ways to more fully integrate members of Luther Seminary and U of M -St. Paul Campus into the fabric of the community.
- C2e. Preserve and maintain the current community gardens. Identify additional appropriate space for gardening that can be used for more community gardens.
C3. Parks and Recreation. Re-invest in existing park assets and strengthen programming to increase use of all park and recreation services.
- C3a. Maintain and strengthen the physical assets and programming at Langford Park and South St. Anthony Recreation Centers and parks.
- C3b. Maintain and improve the condition of athletic fields.
- C3c. Retain public access to athletic fields when organized sports are not using them.
- C3d. Review the timing and substance of the major capital improvement plan to upgrade recreational facilities substantially at South St. Anthony and Langford Park to keep pace with the quality of facilities at other recreation centers in St. Paul.
- C3e. Increase the use of rec centers during the summer months by reviewing heating ,ventilation, and air conditioning needs for Langford and South St. Anthony to reduce indoor temperatures.
- C3f. Continue Phase II of Hampden Park Beautification plan.
- C3g. Complete the remaining items in the Langford Park Master Plan.
- C3h. Review current site plans and field layouts for Langford Park and South St. Anthony Park, assess existing field amenities while balancing sport needs, and work with the City to implement changes by 2007.
- C3i. Assess layout of facilities to improve traffic flow during peak events, including expanding the “warming room” at Langford to accommodate hockey teams and community skating.
C4. Cultural Opportunities. Support local cultural opportunities and the arts.
- C4a. Support opportunities to showcase local artists and their work, including Arts Off Raymond.
- C4b. Sponsor a forum to identify artists that live and/or work in the neighborhood to discuss how the neighborhood can better support the arts and cultural opportunities.
- C4c. Include art and cultural amenities in existing and proposed new green spaces as in the proposed land use plan.
- C4d. Develop strategies to share celebrations, activities, languages, food and other traditions from our multi-cultural population.
C5. Create New Community Infrastructure. Identify need for new community-wide assets to promote community connections and serve a growing population.
- C5a. Assess neighborhood community center needs including additional community services and ADA accessible meeting space. Explore how other community centers have been developed to serve wider community needs. Pursue appropriate action to create a community center.
- C5b. Support the development of home based businesses and develop strategies to support their growth in the community.
- C5c. Support initiatives for municipal technology infrastructure, such as wireless internet.
- C5d. Add a dog park on land next to either the freeways or railroad to encourage new community connections.
C6. Commercial Assets. Identify need for new commercial assets and recruiting strategies and provide support for vibrant commercial areas.
- C6a. Conduct a survey of local businesses and residents to determine their business needs in the neighborhood. Set the course for a business specific planning process.
- C6b. Develop a St. Anthony Park Business Association to work with area businesses on local goals and initiatives in conjunction with the Midway Chamber of Commerce.
- C6c. Study the development of other local or similar business districts and develop applicable marketing and development strategies for St. Anthony Park. Increase an identity for St. Anthony Park shopping districts.
- C6d. Develop a system to advise incoming businesses on the channels of communication with the city, the District Council and neighbors.
- C6e. Create a biannual forum for businesses to connect with the District Council on development, crime, or other issues.
- C6f. Identify businesses that St. Anthony Park would like to attract and create strategies to welcome these businesses. Seek to create a balance of convenience and destination stores.
