Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Superintendent Al Bangoura has decided to keep the Minneapolis Parks system open on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, after the Park Board voted to allow him to close the system at its meeting Wednesday night.
In a statement issued by the Park & Recreation Board’s communications department, Bangoura made the decision to keep the Parks system open to “serve community members who may need childcare, programs or activities for their children (Friday is a Minneapolis Public Schools school release day), or simply a place to warm up.”
By a vote of 5-4, the Park Board voted to give Bangoura the opportunity to close the Parks system on Friday due to actions by the federal agents that have “undermined community trust and sense of safety” and “in support of efforts to raise awareness to the situation” through a planned ICE Out day of action.
Commissioners Jason Garcia and Kay Carvajal Moran put forth the emergency resolution that was not published with the meeting’s agenda. Commissioners Cathy Abene, Charles Rucker, Meg Forney, and President Tom Olsen voted against the resolution.
Commissioners Garcia, Carvajal Moran, Amber Frederick, Dan Engelhart, and Vice President Kedar Deshpande voted to approve.
“I was worried about forcing staff to take time off if they didn't have access to time off, and I was concerned about where kids would go on a school day off,” Olsen said on social media about his vote.
Olsen had planned to implement the resolution “fully and successfully,” but made this comment before Bangoura’s decision was made public.
Garcia and Carvajal Moran brought forth the resolution due to numerous sightings of ICE agents on Park property. The Park Board passed a resolution on Jan. 7 barring federal agents from Park properties.
Garcia said one of the goals of the resolution was to “give all of our park workers an opportunity to catch their breath and be safe.
Park staff are “allowed to take any available leave to participate in the protest and general strike, and any impacts to park service due to staffing will be addressed as they arise,” Ben Johnson with the Park Board’s communication team said in a statement to Southwest Voices this morning.
Resolution declaring that the Minneapolis Park and Recreation System is closed, except for essential services, on January 23, 2026
Whereas, The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is steward of the Minneapolis Parks;
Whereas, Recent actions by the federal agents undermined community trust and sense of safety;
Whereas, The Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), through US Homeland Security Investigations (“HIS”) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”), has sent an unprecedented number of agents into Minnesota which has had the effect of alarming the citizens and residents of Minneapolis as well as MPRB staff and park users;
Whereas, In support of efforts to raise awareness to the situation through an “ICE out of Minnesota” day on January 23, 2026; and
Whereas, In anticipation of enhanced federal activity on Friday, January 23, 2026;
RESOLVED, That the Board of Commissioners declares that the Minneapolis Park and Recreation system is closed on January 23, 2026, expect for essential services;
RESOLVED, That staff are directed to use available leaves, floating holidays or unpaid leave for work hours on that day; and
RESOLVED, That the President of the Board and Secretary to the Board are authorized to take all necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.
AS AMENDED by Commissioner Dan Englehart
Resolved, that the Board of Commissioners declares that the Minneapolis Park and Recreation System considers closing except for essential services as defined further via CER and other applicable bodies on January 23rd, 2026.
Resolved, that staff are able to use available leaves, floating holidays or unpaid leave for work hours on that day
Resolved, that the President of the Board and Secretary to the Board are authorized to take all necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.
AS AMENDED by Commissioner Dan Englehart
Resolved that the Board of Commissioners authorize the Superintendent to consider closing Park Board operations except for essential services as defined further in consultation with the chair of the Committee on Employee Relations on January 23, 2026.
*Editor's note: The version of this story published in our Thursday e-newsletter stated that the Park & Rec Board would be closing the parks following the vote.
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