Council President Kathy Lantry gave an enthusiastic welcome to the workshop. She explained her involvement with the National Great River Park and the integral piece public participation plays in the planning process. 
  
Jody Martinez of Saint Paul’s Division of Parks & Recreation presented an introduction to the National Great River Park. She explained the purpose of the workshop as an opportunity for community members to inform the new National Great River Park Framework chapter and identify criteria and principles to drive implementation. Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation, Saint Paul Division of Parks and Recreation, Saint Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development have been collaborating to prepare The Framework by May 2006.

Patrick Seeb, Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation, provided background information about The Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework and its motivation to lead the National Great River Park. He listed the planning work to date and next steps for the following year. There was a short questions and answer session before the discussions.

Over thirty Flood Plain residents, concerned Saint Paul citizens and river advocates attended the meeting. Groups of eight sat 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; Ellen Biales, Council Member Kathy Lantry's Council Aide.  Residents had the opportunity to express what the four principles of the National Great River Park means to them. Each person introduced him or herself and wrote down on a note card their answer to each question:

• In the Flood Plain, 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 Flood Plain, define what it may mean to be “more urban”?   What goals and principles should guide that evolution?
• In the Flood Plain, define what it may mean to be “more natural”?   What goals and principles should guide that evolution?
• In the Flood Plain, 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 was asked to share their answer with the group as the facilitator paraphrased the answers (PDF). Discussion resulted from these initial comments and tables modified each answer for about 15 minutes.

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