Anoka County/University of Minnesota Design/Build Collaboration

About the Program

Category: Parks and Recreation (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

The Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department partnered with the University of Minnesota School of Architecture to build unique “learning kiosks” at the Heritage Lab/YMCA Camp Heritage site in Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve. In a graduate course created specifically for this project, students had the opportunity to design the kiosks, fabricate the materials, and then build them in sections at the University. The kiosks were later assembled in the park in the summer of 2016. This project served a dual purpose of giving Architecture students real world, hands-on experience with design and construction while allowing Anoka County to complete much-needed investments in infrastructure to better serve the public. A $60,000 Regional Park and Trail Legacy Grant, donations of $20,000 each by Connexus Energy and the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, and in-kind donations by the University and private businesses funded the $150,000 project. Anoka County provided operational support throughout design development and closely coordinated building schedules and permit requirements. This investment will positively impact the 5,000 day campers, Heritage Lab participants, and staff who use the site every year. Thanks to excellent budget management by the University, carryover funds will allow for two more learning kiosks to be built in 2017. Above all, this project is an outstanding best practices model for combining human and economic resources to better serve both the needs of the public and aspirations of students seeking relevant training in their field of study.