You may have noticed that the fountain has been transformed into a garden plot. Much of the apparatus that operated the foundation was in poor repair plus the fountain, while quietly beautiful, did attract some questionable and even dangerous behaviors. The City agreed that something had to be done, so they disassembled the electrical and water services, brought in several truckloads of top soil and prepared the way for a new garden. The City also drew up a design for us to follow in planting the new garden. A group of us got together, purchased the prescribed plants and shrubs, and planted the garden. I think it looks “pretty good”! The plantings are small and modest now but will grow and blossom in times to come. And should we be able, some day in the future, to install a splash pad in the area, we still have the electrical and water services capped and ready for such an eventuality.
Also, you may have noticed the Share Shed in the Commons by the Tot Lot on the corner of Eight Street and Wacouta. Brigette Anderson has made and installed a beautiful little sharing library facility for neighborhood use. Take a look! Make use of one of the books inside and/or contribute one of your books for use by others. Thank you Brigette!
Work on the renovation of the Tot Lot creeps its way forward. Council Member Rebecca Noecker has encouraged us to apply for a $25,000 STAR grant in support of this important project. Working with Margie Abrams our treasurer, Kelly Simich of “flagship recreation” a company that designs and sells playground equipment, and the STAR grant offices, the application for the grant has been submitted and a hearing was held on October 15 to review the details of the application and our project as well. In addition the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy is working as our advocate to include us in their fundraising activities for this year. We have a need to renovate the Tot Lot. We have a creative design in place for the renovation. We have the advocacy of our Council Member Noecker and the Conservancy. I am hopeful that these combined efforts will bring forth a good result for the children of the neighborhood who make use of the Tot Lot. (Chris Thomforde)