2 weeks Ago By Ariel Kozlov
The soil at Soo Line Garden has seen better days – and not in the good, nutrient-rich sense. According to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board , contamination found early this year exceeds the safety thresholds set by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This little patch of green in our urban space has a history that's catching up with it, resulting from its previous life as a railroad and grain elevator hotbed.
Moving swiftly to protect the community, the Park Board, they closed the garden back in March and rehomed the gardeners' plots to neighboring temporary spaces. They're not just pulling weeds here; they're planning to haul out the contaminated soil and bring in fresh dirt, with the ambitious timeline suggesting that Soo Line Garden will bloom anew in 2025. But here's where you come in, green-thumbed readers and public space aficionados.
Those at the top are looking for your two cents on how to reshape this space. There are three concept designs on the table, and they're nifty to say the least, including community gardening plots complete with wheelchair access, areas for the bees and butterflies to party, updated spots for folks to gather, and a shiny new pathway that'll connect the dots to the Midtown Greenway. Crave a sneak peek or ready to weigh in? They've launched a survey that's collecting responses until December 6th.
The action is not confined to a few check-boxes and radio buttons, though. If more of a visual person you are, the full concept designs are up for grabs online, meaning you can eyeball the future of Soo Line Garden in living color, and at your leisure. Ensure to check those out before shouting your horticultural and communal preferences from the digital rooftops.
It's all happening here . For those inclined, keep in the loop by visiting the project's page and signing up for updates. This isn't just a matter of shovels and soil – it's about reclaiming and improving our shared spaces.
So, step up and let your voice be the seed of change. As the Park Board proclaims, they welcome your interest in Soo Line Garden – and don't be shy in passing this along to friends, coworkers, and neighbors, because the more, the merrier..
