MN Nature in St Paul, MN, would like to invite you to Adopt a Garden or Tree Plot along Little Bohemia Trail. There are 30 pollinator gardens with perennials that beautify a popular biking and pedestrian trail along 35e. It is on the Mississippi River bluffs.
Pollinator Garden Plots Sizes:
1) Approx 2ft x 10ft Perennial Plots are along the freeway wall. All planted with perennials in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Perennials need water, transplanting, love . . . singing? And probably mulching. There is room for improvement and creative vision to shape your plot.
2) Approx 20ft x 30ft Tree Plots are scattered along the trail.
3) Approx 20ft x 30+ft Perennial Gardens are also scattered throughout the trail.
<< Update>>
Currently all plots are adopted out for 2018 for phase 1 and 2. There will be a volunteer planting day Fall 2018, and then plots in that zone will be available to adopt for 2019. Check back for more info!
What is Little Bohemia Trail?
This MN Nature-initiated project has turned a blighted mostly unused green space in a historic community in St Paul into a thriving urban green space that is home to pollinators, birds, bats, snakes, squirrels, red fox, coyotes, and even deer! It started in 2013 with grant applications, and the final official planting day is scheduled for fall of 2018. But the community green space will thrive for years to come due to the neighborhood’s overwhelming love and appreciation of the outdoors, trees, and gardens.
Prior to MN Nature’s involvement in 2013, the neighborhood accepted grants and donations to add workout equipment, 3 benches, 3 planters, a garbage can, and a sign designating the green space near the school as Pleasant Place. MN Nature was involved in discussions for those early projects, and …
MN Nature was seeking greater conservation goals for the area and wanted to transform the area into a true asset for the region’s wildlife and people as a way to serve and give back to the community, and in memory of MN Nature founder’s mom who lived off the bike path, Shirely Mae Gehlhar (Jones). Shirley was a gardener and always dreamed of the bike path being a pollinator respite and safe place that she and others could enjoy.
The trail is made possible by #MNnature, #MNPCA, #LittleBohemiaNeighborhood, #STPaulForestry, #UofMForestry, #MNDOT and volunteers–like you!
Since conception, Thousands of plants, trees, and shrubs have been planted by volunteers. The plants were provided by MN Nature through funds donated by MNDOT’s Community Roadside Partnership program, grants from the Pollution Control Agency, generous donations from St Paul Parks & Rec, St Paul Forestry, and the U of M Forestry Department. MN Nature accepted the funds and managed the project from start to end, including enlisting Little Bohemia Neighborhood Association as the official neighborhood partner via signed resolution with the City to maintain the land (this is how the Community Roadside Partnership program works with MNDOT–they, as a state agency, own the land but give maintenance authority over to neighborhood communities to improve it. The City must sign a resolution to agree to the partnership within their city. MN Nature’s Community Roadside Parternship for Little Bohemia Trail is the largest such in the state. Learn more at MNDOT’s website.)
In 2017, due to the great improvements of the land and the neighborhood’s ongoing support of the area, the City of St Paul’s Capitol Improvement Project awarded Little Bohemia Trail funds to resurface the bike path, add lights, and improve cross walks along the trail.
The entire project was initiated by MN Nature but would not have been possible without the Neighborhood volunteer support and advocating, the City’s support, the State MNDOT’s support, and many, many individuals along the way who saw the vision and supported the goals along the way–including Tony Wotzka, Gary Johnson, Cy Kosel, Bret Stadsvold, Jennifer Gehlhar, DeWayne Jones, Eriks Ludins, Leben McCormick, Dustin Ellis, Paul Moss, and others.
Maps of Plots:
Phase 1
Phase 2
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