A new chapter for Brooklyn Park youth begins

Brooklyn Park celebrates the opening of The Wood, a new teen center designed to provide young people with space, resources and opportunities to grow, connect and thrive.

Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies J. Winston cuts the ribbon during a ceremony celebrating the opening of the new teen center at the Zanewood Recreation Center. Credit: Zanewood Recreation Center

The Wood, the long-awaited new teen center in Brooklyn Park, has officially opened its doors. On Monday, March 2, city officials, community leaders, and staff celebrated the new space with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the beginning of a new hub designed to give teens and young adults opportunities to build skills, explore their interests, and create connections.

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“Today we now stand in space that we can call our own,” said Tashawna Williams, the arts and engagement specialist at Zanewood, during Monday’s ceremony.

For more than 20 years, the youth of Brooklyn Park have relied on the Zanewood Recreation Center as a safe space. Described as a “home away from home” by parks and facilities manager Marcus Hill, the space simply did not meet the demand for the number of kids coming to the center.

“The space was significantly small, we didn’t have a gym, we didn’t have dedicated program spaces, and truly we just outgrew the space,” said Hill.

However, in 2018, as part of a park bond referendum that asked Brooklyn Park residents where they would like to see facility upgrades, the Zanewood Recreation Center was included on the list. The city council approved a $2 million budget to add improvements to the center, but the COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on those plans, as many funds were allocated elsewhere instead of recreation centers.

Hill said the city had to get creative to secure additional funding for the project. More than 60% of the funding for The Wood came through partnerships and grants, including a Best Buy grant that helped fund a teen lab, as well as support from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Hennepin County Youth Facilities Grant.

Creating a safe space for Brooklyn Park youth

The expansion adds several new amenities, including the city’s first city-owned indoor gym, a dedicated art space, a workforce development area, and a teen gaming lounge. The 27,000-square-foot addition will triple the size of the existing 9,000-square-foot Zanewood Center.

At Monday’s event, city leaders emphasized the collaboration that went into bringing The Wood to life. Brad Tullberg, Brooklyn Park’s recreation and parks director, said nearly every city department played a role.

“Every department within our city has been a part of this, making this project a reality, all the way from our finance to our fire to our police to our newly named public works. Every department honestly had a hand in this project. It really is a true beacon of the collaboration that goes on within our city staff,” said recreation and parks director Brad Tullberg.

Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies J. Winston took a moment to acknowledge that the community surrounding the Zanewood Center has often gone uncredited for its beauty, intelligence, and strength.

“Brooklyn Park is incredibly important as a city, but this area where we are right now has not always got the credit that it deserves as an important neighborhood for what we do in Brooklyn Park. And so I want people to know that this isn’t the first investment that we’re going to make in this area. We’re going to make investments throughout. But I want folks to know we’re also going to continue focusing on this part of Brooklyn Park because it’s incredibly important,” said Mayor Winston.

The Thielen Foundation gives back in a big way

The Thielen Foundation, founded by former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen and his wife Caitlin, first became aware of the teen center project through Marcus Hill. The two previously attended Minnesota State University, Mankato, where Hill played basketball while Thielen played football. Thielen said their long-standing connection and Hill’s passion for youth development played a major role in the foundation’s involvement.

“Seeing the work (Marcus) does, the impact he makes in kids’ lives, was what brought us to this project. Obviously his passion and energy for the youth is exactly the type of people we want to align with,” said Thielen.

Adam Thielen (left) and Marcus Hill Credit: Aamira Redd/MSR

Founded in 2018, the Thielen Foundation aims to create opportunities for underserved youth in the Upper Midwest, according to the foundation’s website.

“(The Wood) was a vision that was right in line with our foundation, helping youth reach their full potential by giving them resources and opportunities. And this space does exactly that, especially now seeing it come to life,” said Thielen.

“Sometimes resources and opportunities limit where a kid can go and this creates those opportunities.”

The official grand opening for The Wood is set for April 2026. For more information, visit www.brooklynpark.org/legislative-priorities/teen-center-project/.

Aamira Redd is a freelance journalist and contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

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