ppa HISTORIC PLACES committee

The PPA Historic Places Committee's (formerly named the Tower Hill Park Committee) mission stewarding iconic landmarks and buildings in the Prospect Park neighborhood. Included are:

Joe Ring and Steve Brackett, Co-Chairs.

Regarding updates on Tower Repairs and Tower Hill Park (2026).

Buckthorn removal effort for Tower Hill Park is being performed again this Spring by PPA Historic Places and Environment Committees and the PP Garden Club and neighborhood volunteers. Tools and training are provided. Last year, over multiple work sessions, we stripped branches and leaves from the buckthorn over a wide swath of the Hill from its southern to western slopes. We had well over 100 volunteers over the course of the season. This year we plan to continue that work on those remaining stumps and start cutting in new areas.

The PPA Tower Hill Park Committee was revived in 2024 and met several times over the past 2 years at 7pm (in-person) at Luxton Park Recreation Center.

Come to these meetings, learn what’s taking place, join the committee email list, and be involved: we need you!

We will advocate for Tower Hill Park and the Witch’s Hat Water Tower and organize events designed to give people opportunities to learn the Tower’s history, appreciate its value, and enjoy spectacular views from its observation deck. Although the Tower cannot open to the public until after the City of Minneapolis finishes the interior repairs, we cannot wait. We need to ensure the Park is maintained, particularly the popular view of the city skyline at sunset from the base of the Tower.
The Tower has not been open to the public since 2019 when nearly 5,000 people climbed the stairs during the two-day “Doors Open” event. We hope to open the Tower again for Doors Open in May 2025, if not before. The City of Minneapolis owns and manages the Witch’s Hat Water Tower and so is responsible for its maintenance and repairs, while Tower Hill Park is maintained by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Department.