Community
July 2nd, 2026
Jim Lupient Water Park Bathhouse and Changing Facilities
For decades, the Jim Lupient Water Park has been a summertime gathering place for Northeast Minneapolis families. It’s a place where children learn to swim, neighbors connect, and lifelong memories are made. On Thursday, July 2, that tradition entered a new chapter as community members gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the park’s newly renovated bathhouse and changing facilities, a project designed to create a safer and more welcoming experience for every visitor.
The renovation, made possible through a partnership between the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, and generous philanthropic support from Barbara Lupient, reflects a shared commitment to investing in both people and place. The project renovated the existing men’s and women’s changing rooms and added a new common changing space with individual all-gender changing stalls and family-style changing rooms with showers, including one with an adult changing table. Throughout the changing room area, interior finishes and infrastructure were replaced or repaired, including flooring, wall finishes, lockers, plumbing, and toilet fixtures and accessories.
The project also included improvements to staff and life-guard spaces, including new windows, flooring, a kitchenette, and an accessible restroom. Additional upgrades to the building include updated signage, a new outdoor shower tower, and a full roof replacement.
For Barbara Lupient, the project is deeply personal. Her late husband, Jim Lupient, grew up in Northeast Minneapolis, where he developed a lifelong appreciation for the neighborhood’s close-knit community and public parks. Together, Jim and Barbara helped support the water park through a significant philanthropic gift in the early 2000s. After Jim’s passing, Barbara continued that commitment, advocating for improvements that would serve Northeast families for generations.
“I felt strongly that families deserved a facility that was safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone, especially those who might be more vulnerable,” Barbara said. “I’m delighted to see it become a reality, and I know it’s going to make a real difference for the families who use the water park.”
As Minneapolis Parks Director of Aquatics Sarah Chillo shared at the ribbon cutting, the project’s accessibility and family-focused improvements are an important response to the wide range of needs the water park serves, “As a mother of triplets and a child with special needs, this facility, and Barbara’s vision for it, reflects the diverse needs of the families we serve every day. We are so grateful for her dedication and commitment to improve this space.”
For Barbara, the renovation extends beyond improving a building – it reflects her belief in the important role parks play in the life of a city. “The parks are such an incredible resource for our community,” she said. “When you think about quality of life, our park system contributes so much. It’s one of the things that makes this city such a wonderful place to live.”
Jim Lupient Water Park hosts pay-what-you-can swim lessons each morning before opening to the public, helping children build confidence in the water and gain life-saving skills. As Barbara reflected on Northeast Minneapolis’ long history as a home for first-generation families, she spoke about the importance of making sure children have access to swimming lessons and safe places to learn in a state where water is such a central part of life. “If kids are at the water park, taking swimming lessons and spending time outdoors, they’re doing something positive and healthy,” Barbara said. “That’s a win for the children, a win for their families, and a win for the whole community. I love seeing kids use the space, grow up with it, and make it part of their lives.”
The bathhouse renovation continues a longstanding Lupient family commitment to Northeast Minneapolis and its parks. Barbara said she hopes the improvements will help ensure the Jim Lupient Water Park remains a joyful and welcoming place for children and families for many summers to come. “It’s meaningful to be able to pay it forward and make a positive difference. Supporting the water park has been a wonderful way to give back to a community that means so much to our family.”
August 2021
MATTER Food Boxes & The Sanneh Foundation Event
In mid-August 2021, 20 Lupient employees from all Lupient dealerships in Minnesota volunteered to assemble and deliver 750 healthy snack & meal kits to The Sanneh Foundation in Saint Paul. Lupient donated $10,000 to MATTER, and they provided the supplies for the kits. The donation was presented to Tony Sanneh by Lupient Buick GMC General Manager, Tim Ciccarelli, and Lupient Automotive Group Digital Strategist, Cody Carpenter. Sanneh also gave them a tour of their facility, which is now being remodeled after receiving devastating fire damage.
December 1, 2017
MADA Community Heroes Award
In December of 2017, Jeff Lupient accepted the Minnesota Automobile Dealer Association (MADA) Community Heroes Award for Lupient Automotive Group.
July 17, 2017
Lupient accepts their sponsorship plaque from the Aquatennial royalty team. Lupient provided SUVs to transport royalty around the Twin Cities during the Aquatennial celebration this week.
Lupient Automotive Group & Lupient Chevrolet NFL Alumni Golf Classic
On Monday, June 26, Lupient Automotive Group and Lupient Chevrolet sponsored and participated in the NFL Alumni Golf Classic at Bearpath Golf Course in Eden Prairie. Pictured below is the Lupient golf team with Vikings football alumni player Mark Mullaney. All proceeds from the event benefit children’s charities in the Twin Cities.
Lupient Automotive Strut for a Mutt 5K - May 21, 2017
On Sunday, May 21, a group of Lupient Automotive Group employees put together a group to support animal resuce efforts at Purgatory Park in Eden Prairie! The event raised money to help fund animals in need. Lupient Automotive Group is extremely proud to help out with this amazing cause.
Lupient Automotive Target Field Twins - May 21, 2017
Barbara Lupient had the honor of throwing the first pitch at Target Field today for the Twins game against the Houston Astros. In honor of our multiple community service efforts and creating awareness about adopting local animals.
Lupient Kia: Operation Kidsafe - September 2016
Lupient Kia hosted Operation Kidsafe in September of 2016. This free program allowed parents to have their children confidentially fingerprinted and photographed in case of an emergency. The record is done digitally and the only copy is sent home with the parent. The record can be provided to law enforcement anywhere in the world to help aid in an investigation.
Lupient INFINITI: 9th Annual Greg Jennings Celebrity Golf Classic - June 2016
Lupient INFINITI sponsored a hole at the 9th Annual Greg Jennings Celebrity Golf Classic in June at Rush Creek Golf Club in Maple Grove. Proceeds from the golf classic and dinner go toward The Greg Jennings Foundation, which seeks to make impactful grants within local communities that focus on youth education.
Lupient Chevrolet: NFL Alumni Charity Golf Classic - June 2016
Lupient Chevrolet sponsored and attended the 34th Annual NFL Alumni Charity Golf Classic at Bearpath Golf & Country Club on June 27, 2016. This event helps many child-focused organizations such as Big Brother Big Sister, Make-A-Wish, and the Viking Children’s Fund. Although there was no winner for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe for a hole-in-one on #6, we had one lucky hole-in-one winner on #8 that won a new set of Golf Clubs!
Lupient Buick GMC of Golden Valley: Minneapolis Parks Foundation Charity Event - May 2016
Food, beverages and games brought people together at the Lupient Buick GMC dealership in Golden Valley to help raise money for the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. The night brought in over $10,000 in donations to help support the future of Minneapolis area parks. Read More from Minneapolis Parks Foundation.
Lupient Chevrolet: Operation Warm Coat Distribution - October 2015
Monday, October 26th, Lupient Chevrolet saw their hard work from the Operation Warm benefit in July come to fruition. A few generous employees donated their time to the Anne Sullivan Communication Center to help distribute hundreds of coats to excited children. Altogether, various schools throughout Minnesota received over three thousand coats.
Lupient Automotive Group: Edina A Better Chance - October 2015
Lupient Automotive Group was the lead sponsor for Edina A Better Chance (ABC) Fall Fundraiser event. Edina ABC hosts students from around the U.S. in order to give them a better educational opportunity. The event was a concert that featured artists to create a unique blend of the Minneapolis sound with the Nashville sound. Bryan White, Ricky Peterson, Stokley Williams, and St. Paul Peterson were the artists that helped create this sound. Above you can see these performers who created a great experience for the guests (photos thanks to Xpressive /assets/misc/13585/Images by Jamie). Thanks for a fun night Edina ABC!
Lupient Kia: Brooklyn Park's Avenues for Homeless Youth - August 2015
Saturday, August 15th brought plenty of sunshine and heat for Lupient Kia's carwash for Brooklyn Park's Avenues for Homeless Youth. A team of Lupient employees partnered with Avenues to help wash cars to raise money for the youth. Not only were shiny and spotless cars an outcome of this beautiful day, but Lupient Kia also had some delicious Natedogs on site for a great lunch. And of course, Hamilton made a special guest appearance! What a fun day to help out a well-deserving charity!
Lupient Chevrolet: Operation Warm Benefit - July 2015
Lupient Chevrolet partnered with Operation Warm for their charity event July 16th, 2015. About 200 people came out to support the cause. The evening was a success with live music, beer donated by Fulton Brewery, food catered by Jimmy’s, a huge silent auction, and a chance to win a 6-month lease for a Chevrolet Silverado. Attendees left with full stomachs and prizes while the children in need that Lupient Chevrolet was raising money for had many warm coats on the way. This winter, many children will feel the warmth of a brand new coat with the help of Operation Warm and Lupient Chevrolet.
Lupient Chevrolet: 24th Annual Minnesota NHL Alumni Golf Classic - July 2015
Lupient Chevrolet traveled to Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury, MN in July 2015. The 24th Annual Minnesota NHL Alumni Golf Classic was held here to raise money for the many charitable organizations that the Minnesota NHL Alumni Association supports. Lupient Chevrolet sponsored Hole #17 with a Hole in One Prize of a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ. The Lupient Ladies watched the hole while some other Lupient employees enjoyed a day of golf.
Lupient Chevrolet: 33rd Annual NFL Alumni Charity Golf Classic - June 2015
Lupient Chevrolet attended the 33rd Annual NFL Alumni Charity Golf Classic. This event helps many child-focused organizations such as Big Brother Big Sister, Make-A-Wish, and the Viking Children’s Fund. The above pictures are just a snapshot of the fun time spent on the course. On the left is Hole #6, where Lupient Chevrolet stationed a 2015 Chevy Tahoe, as a Hole in One prize. Top right is Bunker the Dog, who helps out around the course and loves going for golf cart rides.
Jim Lupient Infiniti: 8th Annual Greg Jennings Celebrity Golf Classic - June 2015
Jim Lupient Infiniti attended the 8th Annual Greg Jennings Celebrity Golf Classic for the Greg Jennings Foundation. The Greg Jennings Foundation educates youth by providing the necessary resources in order for them to reach their academic potential. There was a Hole in One Contest on Hole #12 to win a 2015 Infiniti QX80. Jim Lupient Infiniti is a proud sponsor of this event.
Jim Lupient Water Park
Since July of 2003, Northeast Minneapolis area families have had the opportunity to learn to swim. The Lupient Foundation has made scholarships available for families who can’t afford the cost of swimming lessons. Jim Lupient, raised in Northeast Minneapolis, was approached with the need of swimming programs for local families.
In recognition of the $50,000 annual financial commitment from the Lupient Foundation, The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board held a ceremony in July of 2003 to change the name of the Northeast Water Park to Jim Lupient Water Park. The water park offers a Lupient Summer Swim Program which provides swimming lessons, water safety and water exploration for economically disadvantaged Minneapolis youth.
Learn to Swim Scholarships provide passes to swimming lessons at the Jim Lupient Water Park. Additionally, the Aqua Stars program rewards youth who perform good deeds and their community and perform well at school. The Learn to Swim scholarships are printed in Hmong, Somali and Spanish. They are available through the Minneapolis park system and social service agencies. Swimming is a lifelong skill as well as a healthy recreational activity. The Lupient family’s hope is that all children who desire to swim have access to Minneapolis pools, lessons and water fun.