Help Us Plant New Greenery In The Park
Over the past three years, hard-working volunteers have helped transform the riverbank in James Rice Park to the point where you actually have nice views of the Mississippi River now as you’re walking or biking by.
Decades of neglect had allowed invasive Buckthorn and thick vines to choke out much of the woods.
But now that the clearing efforts have been so effective, we can start planting native species of trees and shrubs in the park–and we need all the volunteers we can get. Starting at 10am Saturday, September 11th, we’ll be gathering in the park and we’ll supply the tools and gloves you’ll need to help out.
We’ll be planting some small bare root trees and native plants to start reforesting the woods and getting ground cover and pollinator plants in the area. We’ll also continue our work around the playground.
“We will be planting the remaining garden beds in the park with wild geraniums,” said volunteer coordinator Cristy Blake, “and dwarf honeysuckle bushes along the river.”
And there’s much more to come in the next few years. With a $19,250 grant supplied by the Mississippi Watershed Management Management Organization, the North Loop Neighborhood Association is commissioning a study of the woods to get a better look at what’s there, what still needs to be replaced and what can have the most positive environmental impact in the park.
“That’s the ultimate goal, is how do we get better enjoyment out of the park but also make sure we’re not doing anything damaging to the Mississippi,” said David Crary, NLNA board member.
If you’d like to volunteer on the 11th, just show up at James Rice Park (West River Parkway and 4th Avenue North) and we’ll put you to work.
And we also need help picking up litter on the morning of the 11th. Starting at 9am, we’ll head out from Corner Coffee (514 North 3rd Street). And again, we’ll supply gloves and bags to all who want to volunteer.
