Rachel Braaten for Three Rivers Parks District 3

• Every park in the Three Rivers system should have accessibility considerations. 

  • These include considerations for people who are neurodiverse as well as those with physical limitations.

• Programming should have accissibility considerations and some programming should be targeted to those with special needs.

• Expand culturally specific and relevant programming.

  • Consult with community members and organizations to expand culturally relevant programming

  • Prioritize programming by and for indigenous peoples. 

• I support a "separation ordinance."

  • Parks can have signs disclaming that the parks are no place for immigration enforcement staging activites.

    • Our immigrant neighbors deserve to feel safe and supported!

• I support programming that includes education about indigenous plants and animals and how we can live reciprically within native living system.

• I believe that it enriches our community when habitat stewardship is conducted by community members and groups, and we save money when we can rely on community members instead of contractors for this kind of work. 

• Three Rivers Parks should have dedicated employees to develop and lead volunteer habitat restoration groups.

• Expand "pollinator pathways."

  • Prioritize restoring habitat along designated bike paths that connect parks.

  • Attempt to connect parks so that wildlife have safe routes to roam and expand.

• Prioritize efficiency! 

  • Promote bus route continuation and development to parks.

  • Every park should have  secure bike racks.

  • Assess park buildings for efficiency

• Parks are a part of the switch to a renewable energy future.

  • Expand electric vehicle charging stations throughout the Three Rivers System.

  • Many park parking lots and building roofs can have solar panels overhead.

  • Reduce or eliminate the use of single-use plastics at vending sites.

  • Consider partnering with community solar organizations so that community members can benefit financially from the system.

• I support Market In The Park.

  • Local venders can sell to local community members, reducing miles driven

• Assess areas at risk of flooding or drought.

  • Consider strategic placement of water harvesting earth works projects.

    • Water should seep in where it lands instead of running off, creating erosion.

  • Some water bodies may need dredging in order to prevent flooding of the surrounding area.

• Protect children at play.

  • Newly installed play areas should all have canopies overhead.

    • These could be built or planted.

    • Some of these could be solar panels. Let's be creative!

    • Caregiver areas should also have canopies.

• Bachelors of Science in Psychology from North Dakota State University

• Masters in Community Counseling from St. Cloud State University

• Laughter Yoga Leader Certified

• Purple Loosestrife Biological Control Workship Certificate of Completion

• Prairie Burn Certification (in progress)

• Hands-on habitat restoration work.

• Habitat interpretation

• Foraging

• Fishing

• Camping

• Kyaking and canoeing

• Rock climbing

• Hunting

You can help the campaign by making phone calls, doing campaign crafting, or dropping literature. If you'd like to be an organizer for the campaign, call Rachel at 701-491-2777. The campaign is evolving, so there is room for you to help in whatever way works for you.

For literature dropping, we have some pre-set dates and times. If you live in a city that doesn't have a volunteer coordinator yet, it could be you!

• St. Louis Park

• Golden Valley: Saturdays 9-11 (Contact Becki at kopppiano@gmail.com) -the first one is set for May 2.

• Crystal

• Robbinsdale

• Brooklyn Center

• St. Anthony: The first Wednesday of each month, 4 PM - 6 PM (text Morgan at 414-731-4029) - the first one is set for May 6th.

For campaign crafting, or to get set up with phone calling contact Rachel 701-491-2777

• "I endorse Rachel Braaten for Three Rivers Park Board. Rachel is a dedicated public servant to Earth, humanity and our plant and animal relatives.  With Rachel as a Park Board member life would be enriched for us all." --Robin Greenfield, Environmental Activist