Recently, an important milestone was reached at Tou Ger Xiong Island in Phalen Park—one rooted in cultural recognition, community voice, and a shared commitment to honoring history in public space.
Through the City of Saint Paul’s Neighborhood STAR grant Program, funding has been awarded to support the installation of permanent markers at the bridge to Tou Ger Xiong Island. This investment represents a meaningful step toward ensuring the island’s cultural and historical significance is clearly recognized, respectfully interpreted, and permanently embedded within the landscape of Phalen Park.
A Project Grounded in Cultural Recognition
The Tou Ger Xiong Island Permanent Markers project is centered on creating durable, thoughtfully designed markers that acknowledge the island’s deep importance—particularly to the Hmong community—while providing clear, accessible context for all visitors.
Public spaces carry stories. This project ensures that the story of Tou Ger Xiong Island is visible, preserved, and shared in a way that reflects community values, cultural dignity, and long-term stewardship.
Why Tou Ger Xiong Island Matters
located within Phalen Park, Tou Ger Xiong Island is more than a geographic feature—it is a place of remembrance, reflection, and connection. For many, it represents cultural history that has not always been formally recognized within park infrastructure.
While the island has long held meaning for community members, the absence of permanent interpretive markers has limited opportunities for broader understanding and education. Visitors may pass through without realizing the island’s significance or the stories it holds.
This project addresses that gap by creating visible, lasting markers that help ensure the island’s meaning is not overlooked or forgotten.
What the Project Will Do
The Tou Ger Xiong Island Permanent Markers project will install long-lasting markers designed to withstand time, weather, and heavy public use. These markers will provide historical and cultural context, enhance the visitor experience, and serve as an enduring educational resource within Phalen Park.
The project prioritizes durability, clarity, and respectful design—ensuring the markers remain meaningful for future generations while aligning with City standards for public space improvements.
What’s Next
With Neighborhood STAR funding secured, the project will move forward into design coordination, fabrication, and installation. Once complete, Tou Ger Xiong Island will offer visitors a deeper understanding of its significance and a more intentional connection to the stories embedded in the landscape.
Most importantly, this investment sends a clear message: cultural history belongs in public space, community stories deserve permanence, and places like Tou Ger Xiong Island are worth honoring—now and for generations to come.