Amber Frederick (At Large)
The Hiawatha Golf Course Area Master Plan (aka Hiawatha Links) was approved by MPRB in 2022, calling for 9 holes of golf and the ecological restoration of Lake Hiawatha. As commissioner, will you support the master plan and work actively to move forward implementation of the plan?
Yes. I support the Hiawatha Golf Course Area Master Plan and will work actively toward its implementation. The plan reflects years of public engagement and a careful balance between recreation, flood resilience, and ecological restoration. Restoring Lake Hiawatha’s health is long overdue. Moving forward with the plan will not only protect homes and infrastructure from flooding but also create new opportunities for recreation, education, and connection to the land. My focus will be on ensuring the community remains engaged and informed as we transition from planning to action.
How will you work to ensure that the new parkland at Hiawatha honors the lake’s history as Rice Lake / Bdé Psíŋ with the Dakota people who have stewarded this land since time immemorial, and ensures safe access for Native lifeways?
Honoring Bdé Psíŋ means centering Dakota voices and leadership in every stage of the project—from design to programming to stewardship. As commissioner, I’ll advocate for partnerships with Dakota organizations, artists, and knowledge keepers to shape interpretive features, cultural spaces, and land use that reflect Indigenous relationships with the lake. Ensuring safe and meaningful access for Native ceremonies, gatherings, and lifeways will be a priority, including through clear policy and co-stewardship agreements.
How will you work to ensure that the new parkland at Hiawatha honors the history of Black golfers and the course’s legacy as a social hub for Minneapolis’ Black golf community?
Hiawatha Golf Course holds deep cultural significance as a home for generations of Black golfers who built community there despite barriers elsewhere. I will work to ensure that legacy is preserved through physical and programmatic design—whether that’s a commemorative space, interpretive storytelling, mentorship programs, or supporting the Solomon Hughes Sr. Golf Academy. Preserving this history isn’t just about memory—it’s about continuing to make golf and park spaces accessible and welcoming for everyone.
A recent Star Tribune article covered the problem of stray golf balls from the course hitting houses along 43rd St. What would you do as commissioner to address that issue prior to the projected 2030 course reconstruction?
Even as we plan for the long-term reconfiguration, we need near-term safety measures. I would push staff to evaluate and implement mitigation steps—like netting, adjusted tee orientation, or planting buffer vegetation. The Park Board should also work directly with nearby residents to monitor impacts and ensure transparency about short- and long-term fixes.
What role can the new parkland at Hiawatha play in expanding foraging opportunities for Minneapolis residents?
Hiawatha’s restoration offers an incredible opportunity to expand urban foraging. I support thoughtful planting of native fruit and nut-bearing trees, medicinal plants, and culturally significant species identified through community consultation. Foraging policy should encourage respectful, sustainable harvests while educating residents about ecological health and traditional plant knowledge. This is one way to reconnect people to the land and its gifts.
How should we balance coexistence with other species in urban green spaces, even when doing so might causes challenges for humans? For example, beavers are native to the area and restore degraded streams, but can inconvenience us when they cut down trees.
Coexistence requires humility—recognizing that parks are shared ecosystems, not just human spaces. When species like beavers create challenges, we should lead with adaptation and coexistence rather than removal. That means planning landscapes that can accommodate wildlife activity, using tree protection where needed, and working with ecological experts to find balanced solutions. A resilient park system is one where all species, human and non-human, can thrive together.