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Direct Design Assistance: Andrew Riverside Congregation's Temporary Park, Minneapolis, 2004
In late 2003, the Andrew-Riverside Presbyterian Church in southeast Minneapolis had to demolish their historic church due to structural damage. Until reconstruction can take place, they proposed to use the site as a park. The Andrew-Riverside congregation asked the Metropolitan Design Center to develop a design concept for this site that:
- Reflected their interest in international faith communities.
- Provided space for youth programs, including an exchange program where youth from the U.S., Guatemala, and Palestine would paint murals that needed to be displayed on the site.
- Created a space for the entire neighborhood to enjoy.
- Is low maintenance and inexpensive.
Since the park will only be in existence for a few years, and site grading had been paid for as part of the demolition contract, the design features earth mounds that provide immediate interest. Several of the mounds have been planted with native grasses and flowers to create year round interest. The largest mound has been planted with lawn, allowing people to walk and sit on it during gatherings. Stone from the demolished church was used to edge the gardens, create a fire circle, and build a garden wall.
Rain gardens were placed along the street frontages of this corner parcel to capture stormwater and infiltrate it into the ground. The rain gardens were planted with native plants to help with infiltration and add color and texture to the gardens. A large band of tall yellow native flowers along the non-street frontage provides a backdrop of seasonal color as well as food for birds and small animals. Informational signage provides area residents with details about the plantings and rain gardens.
After delays due to heavy rain, construction began in July 2004. Members of the congregation, local residents, and the Design Center contributed volunteer labor. After a neighborhood resident was found to have stolen stone from the site, he was persuaded to contribute earthmoving services. Over the summer of 2004, volunteers from ten countries and the Westminster Boy Scout Troop 100 helped to plant thousands of native Minnesota plants. One scout member, pursuing an Eagle Scout Award, worked with troop members to create a network of wood chip paths through the park.
The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization funded plants for the rain garden and native planting areas as well as informational signage.
View: PowerPoint show of highlights of the park
Download: Informational
handout for Andrew-Riverside Park (3 MB)
Note that due to construction delays a number of the plants in the original plan (see download) were replaced with others more suited to July plantings.
Outcome: The project was funded by the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, won an award from the Minnesota State Horticulture Society in 2004, and was featured in the documentary 'The Mississippi Watershed - A Precious Natural Resource.' The garden was built in early 2004 and deconstructed in late 2005.
