The meeting begins with an open house in the Harriet Island Pavilion. Playing is a new introductory video illustrating the National Great River Park. Maps describing the boundaries, topography and attractions of Saint Paul are available to look at accompanying a short presentation explaining GIS (Geographic Information System) computer mapping as it relates to the National Great River Park.

Patrick Seeb, Saint Paul Riverfront Corportation, starts the introductory presentation describing the purpose for the workshop and role of the community’s input. Patrick then explains how the National Great River concept developed from the Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework.
  
Bob Biercheid, Saint Paul’s Division of Parks & Recreation, presents an introduction to the National Great River Park as a comprehensive system including 17 miles of river, 26 mile of Saint Paul riverfront. He outlines the four principles: to be more urban, more natural, more connected, and a regional asset of national significance. Bob offers additional insight and personal experiences to engage the audience. He then lists the history of National Great River Park and how it has evolved throughout the planning work to date. The discussion concludes as Bob mentions next steps include the Division of Parks and Recreation’s Parks Operation Management Plan.

Tim Griffin, Saint Paul Riverfront Corportation, outlines the assignment for the breakout groups, emphasizing a focus on the Downtown Reach.

Over fifty Downtown residents, concerned Saint Paul citizens and river advocates attend the meeting. Groups of eight to ten sit at a table lead by facilitators: Gregory Page, Saint Paul Riverfront Corportation; Jody Martinez, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation; Don Ganje, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation; Lucy Thompson, Planning and Economic Development; Dan McGuiness, Audubon Society; Sheila Lynch, Capitol River Council; Andrew Hine, West 7th / Fort Road Federation. Each person introduces him or herself before writing down on a note card answers to what the four principles of the National Great River Park mean to them:

• In the Downtown, what does it mean to be a regional asset of national significance?  What goals and principles should guide the enhancement of the asset?
• In the Downtown, define what it may mean to be “more urban”?   What goals and principles should guide that evolution?
• In the Downtown, define what it may mean to be “more natural”?   What goals and principles should guide that evolution?
• In the Downtown, define what it may mean to be “more connected”?   What goals and principles should guide future connections to the Mississippi River?

After reflection, each person is asked to share their answer with the group as the facilitator paraphrased the answers (PDF). Discussions spurred from these initial comments and breakout groups modify each answer for about 15 minutes.

Each breakout group selects a spokesperson to report out to the whole group. The spokesperson highlights their common themes and criteria (PDF). Similarities between the groups emerge and will be used to guide the development of National Great River Park chapter of the Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework.