Help Spruce Up The Park & Playground On Service Saturday
Every day, visitors to the North Loop riverbank enjoy the water views as well as plants and trees around the well-maintained playground beds–and have no idea how much work volunteers have put into it.
It’s been a dramatic neighborhood effort over the past 4 years removing thick, invasive species of trees and vines that choked out our river views as well as caring for planting beds and walking paths that had been largely neglected.
Now, those are efforts are continuing in 2023–and we need dozens of volunteers to pitch in. On Saturday, June 10th, we’ll gather at 10am to accomplish several tasks:
- Spread mulch around the beds to help them maintain moisture and block out weeds. (Thanks, Minneapolis Park & Rec Board for providing the mulch!)
- Plant grasses and flowers
- Place small fencing and tree tubes in areas where nibbling rabbits have done some damage
- Cut back the Arctic Blue Willows to help them stay healthy
All the necessary tools and gloves will be provided for those who help out. Just show up and someone will direct you to where you can help.
These efforts on June 10th are part of the North Loop Neighborhood Association’s monthly Service Saturday, which also includes litter pickup starting at 9:30am outside Corner Coffee. And we’d also like to invite you to join us afterward for brunch at Cuzzy’s, starting at 10:30am.
One more note about the park: we could also use more volunteers to water the plants in the summer and fall. Each volunteer is responsible for just two waterings per summer, using a hose and water source that’s already set up in the park.
By Mike Binkley, North Loop volunteer