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Nathan: Endless possibilities at UMore Park |
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By Joe Nathan
“We’re trying to do something that’s never been done at this scale
before.” That’s how E. Thomas Sullivan described the UMore Park plans
that the University of Minnesota is developing in the southern Twin
Cities metro area, near Rosemount.
On a 12-mile square area, with more than 5000 acres, the University
hopes to create model communities for more than 30,000 families. And if
the plans are fulfilled, it will be a living demonstration of the
world’s finest ideas in ecology, education and economic development.
Currently the area is open to the public for cross-country skiing,
horseback riding and gardening (see http://www.umorepark.umn.edu for
more details of present and proposed use).
Sullivan, the University of Minnesota’s Senior Vice President and
Provost, pointed out that no university has ever tried a development of
this size and scale. Carla Carlson, Chief of Staff for Statewide
Strategic Resource Development told me last week that the plans are
“all about ideas and all about people.” She emphasized that the
University “recognizes it cannot be successful without partnerships.”
She has helped supervise a process over the last year in which hundreds
of people living in and near Rosemount have had an opportunity to share
the ideas and suggestions with University officials.
There have been some surprises. Among them, the University has
discovered a great deal of potentially commercial grade gravel in parts
of the property. University officials now are considering ways to
handle this asset, and what it will mean for building homes and
business in various parts of the area.
Charles Muscoplat, the University’s Vice President for System
Administration, believes that UMore Park will progress gradually over
the next 25 years.
What might happen? Plans have not been finalized. But task force recommendations include:
• Education facilities early in the morning, until late at night, with
people of all ages and ability levels welcome and involved
• Social service agencies, nursery schools and other organizations sharing with educational facilities
• State of the art technology available both in homes and other facilities throughout the area
• Use of the latest ideas regarding sustainability
• Building service to others into all forms of education
• Integrate people of different ages throughout the communities, so
that there are extensive opportunities for many to learn, teach and
help each other
• Recognition that things change...the community must be able to evolve
I served on one of several University/Community task forces that
contributed some of the ideas above. At various times I felt hope,
impatience, frustration and amazement. It is incredible to hear about
emerging approaches to sustainability, learning, teaching and
businesses created jobs and products for the future.
Vice President Muscoplat called UMore Park a “lasting legacy” for
Minnesotans. Provost Sullivan wisely concluded that this is not just
about theory or philosophy but another University effort contributing
to “ a better life” for Minnesotans. Nothing is certain yet. But the
possibilities are endless.
Joe Nathan, a former public school teacher and administrator,
directs the Center for School Change, Humphrey Institute, University of
Minnesota
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