Renaming Marcy Park
Located at the intersection of 11th Avenue SE and 7th Street SE, Marcy Park recently underwent a significant transformation to better meet the needs of our evolving neighborhood. While the park still features its original small playground, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board has added several new amenities, including a full basketball court, the city's first dog park in 10 years, a hammock area, pollinator-friendly plantings, and new bike racks.
Despite these much-needed improvements, the former Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association (now the East Bank Neighborhoods Partnership) initiated an effort to rename the park.
Historically, the site was home to Marcy School before the institution moved—first briefly to the Como neighborhood and later to its current location near Holmes Park. After the school was relocated, the site became a park, retaining the name "Marcy." However, this has led to confusion among residents and visitors, as many mistakenly believe Marcy Park is located next to the current school, approximately 15 blocks away. The goal is to eliminate this confusion once and for all.
Additionally, the park’s name honors William Learned Marcy, who served as Secretary of War under President Polk and later as Secretary of State under President Pierce. Marcy is often credited with coining the phrase, "to the victor belong the spoils of the enemy," but he never visited Minnesota. This historical connection has led to reflection on whether the park should continue to bear his name.
In response, the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association (MHNA) began a process to explore alternative names that better reflect the community’s values and identity. While the MHNA can propose suggestions, the final decision to rename the park rests with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.
Further Reading:
Marcy Park in the News:
