By Somayeh (Nikoo) Nikoonazari

A transformative project is underway at Theodore Wirth Regional Park in the heart of North Minneapolis. The Stories of Connection Project, led by the Loppet Foundation in partnership with the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) Kris Nelson Community-Based Research Program, is working to bridge historical divides and create a more inclusive outdoor space for marginalized communities.

Uncovering Historical Barriers

The Stories of Connection Project emerged from crucial conversations with Black community elders in North Minneapolis. Despite the park's proximity to diverse neighborhoods, it has historically been utilized predominantly by white, high-income communities. The project aims to understand and address this disparity through storytelling and community engagement.

Neamatallah Elsayed (Neama), an Egyptian PhD student in Comparative International Education development, who joined the project in 2023, explains, “The project came from conversations with community elders about why the Black community wasn't showing up as much as they should be in that space.” She goes on, “Why do they feel it’s unwelcoming and not inviting? The elders said that people need to tell their stories.”

A Personal Journey Meets Community Need

The connection was immediate and personal for Neama. “I kept hearing news from Egypt about removing parks and green spaces, even cutting down trees in Cairo’s streets,” she recalls. This experience made her particularly sensitive to issues of public space access and environmental justice.

The project’s focus resonated deeply with her own experiences of displacement and exclusion. “When I looked at the project, I thought, ‘I can completely get that!’ This issue of local communities not having access to the public spaces that they should have access to, how governments sometimes put up barriers that prevent local communities from enjoying these spaces—it spoke to me.”

Breaking Down Barriers Through Trust

As an international researcher entering a sensitive space, Neama initially harbored concerns about her role. “I was very nervous as I get very careful when I’m stepping into vulnerable community space,” she admits. “I was thinking about how I’m someone who looks very different, who speaks very differently than the community.”

However, what she discovered challenged her assumptions. “This is the most fascinating thing I found in this project—people, despite all the concerns I had, sat there and just trusted me. They were very kind and very generous.” Some interviews lasted up to three hours, with community members sharing deeply personal experiences and memories.

A Community Comes Together

The project reached a significant milestone in March 2024 with a community storytelling event that drew 75 participants. The gathering featured live art by Charles Cardwell, a local artist who captured the stories being shared in a painting that now hangs on the Loppet Foundation’s walls. The event included activities for children and created an atmosphere where multiple generations could connect and share their experiences.

Reflecting on the historical connections between Black communities and nature, Anthony Taylor, a community leader, shared, “Enslaved Africans who arrived in the United States became the backbone of an agricultural economy. They passed down, through generations, a deep knowledge of sustainable farming, medicinal plants, weather patterns, and the natural world. This understanding was not only a testament to their connection with nature but also the foundation of their survival.” His words resonated with many at the event, underscoring the enduring relationship between Black communities and the land.

For Neama, the event served as more than just a gathering—it became a catalyst for healing and community building. “There’s something powerful about just people coming together and sharing their stories, and something very liberating as well,” she reflects.

Ryan Atwell from NatureWerks, who has been a consultant with Loppet throughout the course of the project and has supported Neama throughout the CBR process, says: “To us, the turning point in our project was the community storytelling event that Neama conceived and helped us organize. It built on relationships of trust that grew out of project scoping and interviews and marked the first time the North Minneapolis Black Community hosted an event at Loppet to talk about what nature and urban green space mean on the community’s own terms. That event brought the project to life for both the black community participants and for Loppet staff.”  

Looking to the Future

The project’s impact is already becoming visible. “I’m noticing more Black residents gathering, sharing meals, and young people participating in programs,” Neama shares. A Community Advisory Council, comprising six community members, now provides guidance on the project’s direction and reviews emerging themes from collected stories. The vision extends beyond immediate changes. The team intends to increase the park’s use by neighboring communities and for people from marginalized communities to feel that their identities are reflected and welcomed in this space, Neama explains, “I think about how nature can bring healing to people, those who suffered from systematic and historical discrimination.”

Ryan Atwell added, “This project is well on its way, fueling a change in the way that the community thinks about The Trailhead, Theodore Wirth Park, and urban green space. The story maps that Neama is producing with CURA’s help will be a catalyst for the next steps that tell stories Neama has been collecting and analyzing through art, media, signage, exhibits, events, and community programming.”

Expanding Horizons

While currently focused on the Black community’s experiences and historic connections with nature, the project has plans to expand. Future phases will include work with other communities, including Jewish residents, immigrant communities, and Latino populations. However, the team is committed to a thoughtful, thorough approach. “We want to honor the Black community,” Neama emphasizes. “Including everyone without doing justice to each group is not enough. Every culture and community deserves dedicated focus, attention, and care.”

For Neama, the project has become more than just research—it’s a testament to the power of community storytelling and the potential for transformation. “What stays with me is grace,” she reflects, “and I think it is beautiful.”

Ryan adds “Many organizations, including Loppet, want to listen to the community, but their budgets and results-driven, action-oriented schedules often keep them from investing in a process that actually asks questions on communities' terms. The Kris Nelson program definitely created additional resources and space to have community conversations in ways we would not have had the ‘organizational patience’ to have without CURA’s and Neama’s support.”

The Stories of Connection Project stands as a model for how careful listening, authentic engagement, and community-led initiatives can begin to heal historical wounds and create more inclusive public spaces. As Theodore Wirth Park continues its evolution, the stories being shared today are helping to write a new chapter in its history—one where all community members feel welcome to enjoy the healing power of nature.

Learn more about the Loppet and Stories of Connection: 

• Call For Artists: Stories of Connection's first indoor exhibit will start at the Trailhead and then travel to other prominent North Mpls locations over the next few years. The Loppet is looking to connect with BIPOC artists based in and/or who have significant ties to North Mpls for this first art project. If you know anyone who may be interested, we would greatly appreciate you passing this info along. Learn more here.
• The Loppet is hiring a part-time position, Environmental Education Lead, April - Aug 2025. Accepting applications through 2/28/25.
• The Loppet would would love to encourage people to share their story by visiting loppet.org/stories or by emailing at [email protected].