Minnesota Renames Park to Honor Zakho, Strengthening Kurdish Ties
Moorhead, Minnesota, renamed Johnson Farms Park as Friendship Park to honor its partnership with the Zakho Independent Administration in Kurdistan Region.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - The city of Moorhead in Minnesota has renamed Johnson Farms Park as Friendship Park, honoring its friendly relations with the Zakho Independent Administration in the Kurdistan Region. The new name was unveiled at an official ceremony, as a symbol of strengthening the cultural and humanitarian bridges between the two sides.
In a statement on Friday, the Moorhead municipality said it had formally changed the park’s name out of respect for its friendly and cultural ties with the Zakho Independent Administration. The city said the new name reflects the values of connection, collaboration, and community fostered through the Friendship City relationship between Moorhead and Zakho.
The unveiling took place at an official ceremony attended by municipal officials, prominent figures, and a large number of Moorhead residents. According to the city’s announcement, the event was to include remarks, the unveiling of new park signage, and an opportunity for residents to learn more about ongoing international partnership efforts.
Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson said: “Friendship Park embodies the spirit of our growing relationship with Zakho and the rich cultural diversity that strengthens Moorhead. This name represents who we are and what we value. Welcoming neighbors, building bridges, and celebrating the friendships that make our community vibrant.”
The municipality’s decision implements the agreement signed between Moorhead and the Zakho Independent Administration in July 2025. Guhdar Sheekhoo, head of the Zakho Independent Administration, said the agreement is built on friendship and covers cooperation and partnership between the two sides in key sectors such as agriculture, education, and cultural activities.
According to the city, the partnership was formalized on July 2, 2025, when Carlson and Sheekhoo signed a Friendship Proclamation. The agreement aims to promote cultural exchange, education, and economic development between the two communities.
The renaming follows further developments in the partnership, including a Global Intelligence Friendship Update event cohosted by the City of Moorhead and Minnesota State University Moorhead. The event highlighted Kurdish culture, global learning, and reflections from a Moorhead delegation’s visit to the Kurdistan Region.
According to the city, Moorhead is home to an estimated 3,500 Kurdish residents, about 8 percent of its population.
The Friendship City initiative aims to strengthen ties between the two communities while creating educational, cultural, and community opportunities for residents. The city said the park’s new name is meant to recognize the connections between Moorhead and Zakho and the role of cultural exchange in bringing communities together.