Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board : Minneapolis Park And Recreation Board Partners With Comcast To Enhance Digital Access In Parks

Press release from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

2021-10-25

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and Comcast are working together to increase digital access for youth and families in Minneapolis parks.

Comcast recently donated 250 laptops that will be used throughout the MPRB system to advance digital equity and help keep the community connected with both workforce development and education.

“We are grateful for the generous donation made to the Park Board by Comcast,” said MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura. “We so appreciate the support of our private partners who help us move our goals forward and better serve our community.”

“Digital equity is key to success in education and economic mobility, now and into the future,” said Kalyn Hove, Regional Senior Vice President, Comcast Twin Cities. “For over a decade, Comcast has been at the forefront of creating digital equity and impacting the lives of millions and we’re proud to work alongside the Minneapolis Park Board to further support youth in online learning, workforce readiness and career development.”

The computers will be used throughout the Minneapolis Park Board system to support multiple programs and initiatives, including:

• Recreation center visitors who can check them in and out for work readiness or academic support
• Development of new programs that leverage the laptop’s portability
• Enhancing participant experiences at Powderhorn Park’s Creative Arts Studio and future MPRB Creation Spaces
• MPRB’s focus on community work readiness training, enrichment and career development

In addition to the laptop computers, the MPRB has also partnered with Comcast to establish “Lift Zones” in its facilities to help students and youth access the Internet to do schoolwork and to participate in enrichment programs. As part of Comcast’s ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet, Comcast’s Lift Zones provide robust WiFi in safe community spaces designed to help students and families get online and access the resources they need. This initiative provides free connectivity inside partner community centers for the next three years.

To date, 48 facilities have Comcast Lift Zone WiFi, including recreation centers, NE Ice, Arena and Parade Ice Garden.

This press release was produced by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. The views expressed here are the author’s own.