Voices of the Community
Michelle Bednar
Letter to the Northeaster
October 8, 2025
"I moved to Minneapolis over a decade ago because I wanted to live in a community that invested in its parks and future generations. Healthy parks make for healthy communities, and Dan Miller shares that fundamental belief. I appreciate that he takes the time to meet community members where they are—in the parks—and never shies away from the hard questions.
​
We saw what was at stake when unbudgeted costs from a new park threatened to cut programming across the city. Outdoor ice rinks were put on the chopping block, unfairly targeting North and Northeast neighborhoods that already have the fewest rinks.
​
As proud Minnesotans, we banded together and fought to keep the ice at Windom Park. While climate change is a factor, I invite anyone to show up on a Friday night under the rink lights: the pure joy of those kids is priceless. Kids need safe places to play, gather, and grow in the spring, summer, fall, and especially the winter.
​
Dan Miller understands this completely. He grew up lacing on skates and knows the community built around those rinks. He is a hands-on advocate who prioritizes youth enrichment and sees park programming as an essential tool for helping our children become successful adults. He is the strongest candidate to continue the fight for our youth and the programs they rely on.
I will support Dan Miller on election day because he will prioritize advocacy for children and youth programming."
Larry Eshelman
"As a long term resident of the Windom Park neighborhood, I have known Dan for 30 years and know him to be dedicated to digging deeply into issues important to the community.
​
Dan creates impactful connections with youth. Dan loves to bike and volunteers at the Pillsbury School as a Pedal Power Coach with their bike training program. On many occasions I have seen Dan working with students to improve their biking ability in both performance and bike safety. He has a kind heart, and you can see it in how the students relate to Dan.
​
I have witnessed Dan as an active participant in numerous neighborhood meetings addressing issues such as the Johnson Street boulevard plantings redesign, as a board member of the Windom Park Citizens in Action (WPCIA), and providing input on the numerous street redesign projects in NE.
If you have questions or concerns relating to parks, boulevards, or other city issues, you can count on Dan to provide guidance. If he does not know all of the specifics, he knows who to contact and is always willing to help address a concern. Dan will work tirelessly for us.
​
I encourage all voters in MPRB District 1 to vote for Dan Miller as your next Commissioner. He will bring meaningful change to our community."
Michelle Spangler
"After his friend, Billy Menz, chose not to seek reelection, Dan Miller decided to run for District 1 Park Board Commissioner to give his neighbors in Northeast and Southeast Minneapolis a choice in who they want to represent them on the Minneapolis Park Board, rather than letting the seat go uncontested.
​
I can't think of too many people I respect more than Dan Miller. He's my go-to for advice or whenever I need a deeper understanding of a local issue. What I appreciate most about Dan is that he keeps an open mind and is willing to talk to anyone. Dan Miller has been the driving force behind connecting the missing links in the Grand Rounds and Great Northern Greenway bike trails. He's served for years on Capital Long-Range Improvement and Bicycle Advisory Committees and was a tireless supporter helping my community advocate for a safer 29th Ave.
Dan will never favor only one constituency, but will actively seek out the viewpoints of everyone.
Miller is the only candidate running to serve District 1 on the Park Board that has a record of caring for children. Have you seen that string of children riding their bikes down your street in their bright yellow safety vests? Chances are you've seen Dan Miller at the head of the pack, teaching Northeast kids how to confidently and safely navigate our roads. Miller has been a Pedal Power coach for almost 10 years and is affectionately known by the kids as “Papa Wheelie”. Miller understands that when our parks offer strong youth sports, programming, employment, and childcare, our neighborhoods are safer and more vibrant.
Over the years, Miller and I have talked often about environmental stewardship, a topic we both care about deeply. One of Dan’s priorities is quickly and equitably replacing the tree canopy after damaging storms. Miller understands how important trees are for mitigating the heat island effect we experience from our hot city pavement. Miller wants the Park Board to work more closely with watershed districts to protect our lakes and the Mississippi River. He also believes our parks should prioritize vital habitat for pollinators and birds along the Mississippi Flyway.
​
With loss of federal funding, our City and Parks are going to have to make some tough decisions in the coming years. I have complete trust in Dan's ability to form consensus and make the best possible, wise decisions for Park Board District 1."
Paul Ostrow
& Joe Biernat
"For Minneapolis to thrive and survive the impending challenges prevalent in
many urban areas today, it is absolutely critical we elect strong leaders to run for public office for the purpose of doing their best to represent our neighborhoods.
Our current Eastside park commissioner, Billy Menz is not running for reelection, Billy was the consummate hard-working elected official who cared about the neighborhoods. He was grounded in our community, a public school teacher and a grassroots activist.
​
Fortunately, we have an opportunity to elect a person of the same skill set and
dedication to our community, Dan Miller. Dan has a long list of accomplishments at the grassroots level. And when it comes to the parks and bike trails, Dan has literally rode every trail in this city and served on numerous bike trail committees. His priorities are our neighborhoods and parks.
​
The Minneapolis city park system is among the best in the nation; it takes proven neighborhood leaders to keep the city strong. Two previous Eastside park commissioners, Billy Menz and Liz Wilenski, understand this need and that is why both of them have enthusiastically endorsed Dan Miller.
In this critical time for common sense leadership, please vote for Dan Miller as
the next Eastside park commissioner.