Lawmakers consider making State Capitol grounds a state park in honor of the Hortmans

Three states already have state capitol grounds designated as “state parks,” and Minnesota could become the fourth.

If it happens, it might be because of the vision of the late Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman.

“This is what she used to take people around and talk about,” Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, said as he joined other lawmakers on a tour of the Minnesota State Capitol grounds. “This beautiful layout that we have. The view of the city and what this is and what this should be. And she always used to say it would make sense to make it a state park.”

If it happens, the park would be named after Melissa and Mark Hortman, who were assassinated in their home last year.

During the last session, the legislatu...