Telling diverse stories of South Minneapolis is focus of new radio station

98.9 KRSM begins airing this fall to 300,000 Southside listeners and is already posting online content in six languages

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
A new community radio station dedicated to telling the stories of the densely populated, ethnically diverse South Minneapolis area is coming this fall.
After over five years of dreaming and planning, 98.9 KSRM is nearly ready to launch at the Waite House Community Center (2323 11th Ave. S.). A fundraising drive in June raised the money needed to build the antenna.
“Our community really came out to support us with local businesses, nonprofits, and community members collectively donating over $40,000,” said KRSM Radio Manager Brendan Kelly. “Our next step is to finalize construction plans, install the antenna, and then we’ll be ready to go.”
KRSM is a Low-Power FM station, which means that it will broadcast about five miles in each direction, covering 300,000 listeners in the Southside area. (See map to the right)
“This is community radio at its very most community,” said Kelly. “If I had my wish, every neighborhood would have something like this.”
He added, “South Minneapolis is a vibrant, diverse, and constantly changing part of our city. It’s home to a large Indigenous population (plus Little Earth, the birthplace of the American Indian Movement, and a Native Cultural Corridor on Franklin). It’s where more Somalis live than anywhere but Mogadishu. It’s where a lot of amazing artists and entrepreneurs and radical organizers call home. Why not build a platform to celebrate and share all of that?”
Online content in 6 languages
The Southside Media Project and 98.9 KSRM is a coalition of neighbors and nonprofits and is one part of Pillsbury United Communities’ Community Media Initiative that aims to provide a platform to raise up stories of the community.
About five years ago, concerned neighbors started meeting regularly with representatives from Pillsbury United Communities (Waite House), Little Earth of United Nations, Hope Community, and Main Street Project to discuss the possibility of creating a new media platform that more accurately reflected the communities, voices, and cultures of South Minneapolis.
Over those five years, the group successfully applied to the FCC for a license to broadcast at 98.9 FM, recruited over 100 volunteers, formed an advisory board, built a studio, led close to 60 free training sessions, launched the website (KRSMradio.org), and began broadcasting 83 hours of content each week.
Photo left: Greg Fields hosts The G Music Show for 98.9 KRSM Radio. The station hasn’t officially launched yet, but already has weekly content on its web site in six different languages (English, Spanish, Somali, Ojibwe, Hmong, and Haitian Creole). There are shows about mental health, politics, race and identity, food justice, entrepreneurship, architecture, and language, as well as lots of music. (Photo submitted)
The station will be a tool for sharing news, music, storytelling, debate, and public health/safety announcements.
“We haven’t even launched yet, and we already have weekly content in six different languages (English, Spanish, Somali, Ojibwe, Hmong, and Haitian Creole),” observed Kelly.
There are shows about mental health, politics, race and identity, food justice, entrepreneurship, architecture, and language, as well as lots of great music.
“A few of my favorite shows so far are Project 35 (an eclectic music show hosted by Válerie Déus), DesignHER Life (Felicia Perry’s ode to women of color creative entrepreneurs and the challenges they face), and The Jungle (where Adriana Foreman mixes great music with short recordings of dynamic Southsiders sharing whatever is in their heart at the moment…from reflections on student loans to guided meditations to poetry and self-care tips),” said Kelly.
He is also proud of some of the partnerships the station has formed with media makers outside Minneapolis.
“We’re airing fantastic content from reservation radio stations in Leech Lake and White Earth,” remarked Kelly. “We’re sharing Spanish language content from Democracy Now. Monday-Friday at noon, we share nationally syndicated call-in shows made specifically for Latinx communities (Tues./Wed,) and Indigenous populations (Mon./Thur./Fri.).”
Tradition of radio as place for civic conversation
Community radio played a crucial role in steering Kelly’s life in the direction it has taken.
“Radio K (1997-1999) was where I cut my teeth in Minneapolis,” recalled Kelly. It’s where he first tried out DJing and editing audio and recording promos and throwing shows and marketing and speaking in a community space. And it’s where he met local rapper Brother Ali.
“When I moved on from my show, I became Ali’s DJ and spent the next 15 years of my life recording, performing, and traveling… all thanks to community radio,” said Kelly.
In the past, when there were many local stations, the system allowed trusted voices to emerge from the community, Kelly pointed out. “It served as a petri dish for local music sounds. It was a place for civic conversation. We’re honoring that tradition while trying to update it with more attention to equity and representation.”
Representation also about who makes decisions
KSRM representatives have worked with five classrooms of kids from three different local schools, and the aim is to double those numbers next school year.
“But representation is about more than just who we put on the air, it’s about who we put in positions of power,” remarked Kelly.
So they’re working on creating paid internship programs to help orient young folks from the neighborhood with the behind-the-scenes work of running a radio station. They’ve been very intentional to fill their advisory board and the leadership positions on their volunteer committees with people of color and Indigenous folks.
“And our programming committee is spending this year to create an annual review process for each of our shows that will allow the hosts, their peers at the station, and listeners from the community to regularly check in with us about what we’re airing,” said Kelly. “Also, we have formal partnerships with Voices for Racial Justice and Hope Community (including representatives from each sitting on our advisory board) to make sure that we’re always holding ourselves accountable to our mission.”
“But, despite all of this, we will absolutely make mistakes,” Kelly said.
“And when we do,” Kelly added, “we’ll count on the community to lovingly hold us accountable and challenge us to do better.”
Email contact@KRSMradio.org to check in with an idea, criticism, or questions. Want to get involved? Join a volunteer committee, attend one of the free training sessions, or apply to host a show. Learn more on the web site KRSMradio.org under the header “Get involved.”

Minnesota DNR supports closing Hiawatha Golf Course

DNR favors reducing pumping at the golf course. Residents are split: peace and quiet vs. maximum usage of space.

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
Of the two directions for the Hiawatha Golf Course that were presented to the public on May 18, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) favors the one that reduces the amount of pumping there by 70%.
“The DNR would prefer alternative B,” stated MPRB Assistant Superintendent of Planning Michael Schroeder. “It has multiple benefits while we’re reducing the pumping.” He added, “The 70% reduction is considered more sustainable.”
The Department of Natural Resources needs to sign off on the pumping at the golf course property. Currently, MPRB has a permit to pump 36.5 million gallons a year, far less than the 308 million gallons it is actually pumping.
“We’re really focused on reducing the pumping while still protecting adjacent homes,” remarked Minneapolis Director of Surface Water and Sewers Katrina Kessler.
Options either 18-hole golf course or something else
MPRB has decided against putting a 9-hole golf course at the site, despite a desire by April public meeting attendees to try to keep some kind of golf there even if the 18-hole course is shut down. There is only one 9-hole golf course in the state that is profitable, pointed out Schroeder, and it is located in Pierz, Minn. “Revenue for golf courses is generated by players who desire 18 holes,” he said. “In the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation system parameters, a 9-hole golf course simply doesn’t work.”
If golf is taken out of the equation, many other uses can be applied.
MPRB asked attendees to comment on two alternatives (photo at the top of page).
Photo right: After discussing two scenarios for the Hiawatha Golf Course, two people from each table shared comments with the entire group gathered at Nokomis Recreation Center on May 18. Meeting attendees were split on keeping golf versus discontinuing the pumping and letting the area flood. There were two competing interests: continuing the peace and quiet of the area versus maximum usage of the space. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
To keep the 18-hole golf course, MPRB would have to continue pumping 308 million gallons a year, while alternative B would require pumping 94 million gallons of groundwater, allowing the lower areas of the property to be covered with water. With Alternative A, there are 9 acres of open water; with Alternative B, there are 41 acres.
To keep the 18-hole golf course, MPRB would have to continue pumping 308 million gallons a year, while alternative B would require pumping 94 million gallons of groundwater, allowing the lower areas of the property to be covered with water. With Alternative A, there is 9 acres of open water; with Alternative B, there is 41 acres.
“Mother nature never intended it to be a golf course,” remarked Joseph Jones. He observed that in the 17 years he’s lived nearby, the area has flooded three times.
Some people at the meeting pointed to a generational and financial gap between the golfers and the other residents, while others countered that they didn’t see a generation gap and regularly golf with their children and parents at the course for $12.
“I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that Hiawatha Golf Course is gone,” said one attendee during the feedback section of the May meeting. “It has some serious water issues. It wants to be a lake.”
Another person commented that the loss of the golf course seemed “inevitable,” while others stressed that the golf course has been profitable the past three years and should continue its operation.
“This project is really divisive, pitting neighbor against neighbor,” stated one man who supports retaining the golf course. “It’s really unfortunate that we are being pulled apart by this issue.”
Phosphorus load could drop 191 pounds per year
There would be no change to the phosphorus load at the property if the 18-hole golf course remained, but a whopping 191 pound a year reduction under Alternative B. Park Commissioner Steffanie Musich pointed out that she has never seen that amount of a reduction on a report before. “It’s a really big deal,” said Musich. Most mitigation efforts drop phosphorus by about 7 pounds a year.
Trash mitigation is included in both options. An open water channel would provide a place for trash to be collected and pollutants filtered out before entering Lake Hiawatha. Alternative B adds more land use changes, including remeandering Minnehaha Creek.
Local resident Sean Connaughty questioned whether changing the outlet of the creek from the south side of the lake to the west side was a good idea because of how it would affect the existing habitat and wildlife there. He didn’t support the suggestion to put a retreat center where the current outlet is now for the same reason.
“We want to see clean water and habitat protection,” said Connaughty.
Local resident Steve Burt was glad to hear about the reduction in trash planned for the lake. “It’s like a receptacle for trash that comes in from every part of the city,” he observed.
Some people expressed concerns about mosquitoes that might come with increasing wetland restoration.
Users estimated to jump if land is used for other things
Attendees also considered how many people currently use the property versus how many might if there were other amenities there. Currently, there are 10,500 golfers, and that number is estimated to rise to 146,000 if the event center is updated. However, if the range of uses at the site was diversified, that number is estimated to be 522,462.
For comparison purposes, Minnehaha Regional Park has 1,717,600 users each year, Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park 5,101,700 (the highest in the state) and TheodoreWirth Regional Park 570,200, according to a Met Council report.
“The neighborhood has been wanting to get access to his park for years,” observed Burt. He recalls the “fence wars” that have occurred as neighbors cut the golf course fence in order to walk around inside. He mentioned how nice Wood Lake Nature Center is, and supports something similar here. “I think that anything that opens people up to nature in the city is a good thing,” said Burt.
Willie Gregg is in favor of using the land for something other than a golf course. “It feels more open and inviting for a variety of users in a wider variety of ways,” he remarked.
Meeting attendees expressed concern about a possible increase in users and the additional traffic and parking issues that would bring. Some stressed that there should not be any additional paved parking lots, while others didn’t want to see street parking problems such as those near Minnehaha Park. Some residents didn’t feel that the infrastructure was in place to handle 500,000 users at Hiawatha.
Photo left: There is no easy way to summarize the kind of input provided at the April 20 meeting, remarked MPRB Assistant Superintendent of Planning Michael Schroeder. MPRB put the keywords into a word cloud engine and created this graphic to show which phrases were most popular. (Photo submitted)
There were two competing interests: continuing the peace and quiet of the area versus maximum usage of the space.
Others expressed support for the use of solar power and renewable energy at the site, the return of wild rice, the continuation of cross country skiing, an edible food forest, prairie restoration, and increased programming for kids. If the golf course is changed, some are concerned that the property will sit empty and look badly for years during the transition period.
“If we’re going to lose our golf course,” said one commenter, “let’s make it something special.”
Future meetings
A final meeting with the public was held June 21 when there was little public comment in comparison to the past two meetings that were primarily focused on soliciting stakeholder opinions.
Schroeder pointed out that any changes at the course wouldn’t happen this year, or likely even next. “When we get to the Park and Recreation Board, we still have years,” he said.
MPRB will discuss the issue at its July 12 board meeting and select a direction to pursue at its Aug. 9 meeting. Comments are being collected via an online survey available on the MPRB Hiawatha Golf Course project page.

Athletic fields designed near Nokomis, urban ag proposed near Hiawatha

Open house held as changes require modification of Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park by park board

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
With the focus of nearby Bossen Park on softball, some residents feel that leaves room for other sports such as Australian Football and soccer at Nokomis Park.
The current project at Bossen is placing four premier baseball/softball fields in a pinwheel formation looking out, with another two fields on the south side and two large open field areas on the north.
Photo left: Concept A is one of two concepts MPRB asked the public for input on. (Illustration provided)
When the Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park master plan was approved in March 2015, it didn’t include a specific layout for the athletic fields, in part because planners knew that the Bossen Field project was about to get underway, pointed out MPRB Director of Strategic Planning Adam Arvidson.
When the Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park master plan was approved in March 2015, it didn’t include a specific layout for the athletic fields, in part because planners knew that the Bossen Field project was about to get underway, pointed out MPRB Director of Strategic Planning Adam Arvidson.
However, the fields at Nokomis are currently in very poor condition, and MPRB held an open house on May 25 to ask for community input on the athletic fields as it prepares to fix them.
The two proposed plans for Nokomis aim to preserve large open spaces for a variety of sports, remarked Arvidson.
Concept A includes seven adult-size softball fields of which two are in the far south of the parcel, three high-school-sized soccer fields, and an Australian football field in the center.
Concept B configures the fields differently and has six softball fields, three soccer fields and an Australian football field in the center. Both include a 60-space parking area and trail cutting across the center of the area.
Citizens asked if there could be a storage shed for groups that play there, as well as a place for bathrooms and drinking fountains. Others asked for lighting on the fields. Additional input was taken through an online survey that was open through June 23.
Football players hope to use the fields more
Photo right: A group of Minnesota Freeze Australian Football, Gaelic football, and hurling players attended the open house on May 25 to learn about the two proposals. The men’s Minnesota Freeze teams currently hold its Wednesday night weekly practices and Saturday morning games at Lake Nokomis, and the women’s team would like to be there, as well. (Photo submitted by Minnesota Freeze)
“It would be great to have the men’s and women’s teams practice together,” noted Freeze Captain Andrew Werner, a Nokomis resident, but it is difficult to do now because of how the fields are arranged. “The sport is community-based,” he observed. “A lot of families come out and watch, too.” Plus, they’d like to see the club grow.
“It would be great to have the men’s and women’s teams practice together,” noted Freeze Captain Andrew Werner, a Nokomis resident, but it is difficult to do now because of how the fields are arranged. “The sport is community-based,” he observed. “A lot of families come out and watch, too.” Plus, they’d like to see the club grow.
The groups need fields that are larger than soccer fields, such as two soccer fields side-by-side, to play a game. The Gaelic team can’t use the fields as they are now due to the number of potholes, unlevel surfaces, and gopher holes.
Urban ag area at Hiawatha
Another change being considered to the master plan was driven by a community desire to be able to harvest fruit in the park, explained Arvidson.
The current plan calls for naturalizing the landscape along the east side of Lake Hiawatha and eliminating much of the grassy lawn. The proposed change would replace the naturalized landscape with an urban agriculture area that would include foraging in a woodland environment.
If this is approved, citizens would still be prohibited from harvesting at the site until the park board changes its anti-foraging ordinance, which was recommended in the Urban Agriculture Plan approved in 2014. The park board is currently working on modifying the Vegetation Molestation Ordinance to allow for harvesting within designated areas, according to Arvidson.
Photo right: Minnesota Freeze men’s team captain Andrew Werner discusses athletic field configurations with fellow football and hurling players during an open house on Thursday, May 25, 2017. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
In the future, the MPRB intends to include a list online with an interactive map showing people where they can harvest food.
Some residents are also pushing MPRB to create a food forest at the Hiawatha Golf Course site, which would not be mutually exclusive from an urban agricultural area on the east side of Lake Hiawatha, said Arvidson. The golf course property is not included within the Nokomis-Hiawatha Master Plan.
Funding tricky
The financing of the fields will be tricky, as regional park dollars can’t be spent on athletic fields, which are considered as neighborhood park amenities, explained Arvidson. Regional park systems tend to be nature-based recreational systems. Neighborhood parks, in contrast, can’t get state or regional funding or access Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment funds.
Meanwhile, Minneapolis seeks to avoid using neighborhood tax dollars for capital improvements in the 19 regional park facilities within the city.
Photo left: Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board employee Siciid Ali (left) discusses possible changes to the Nokomis-Hiawatha Master Plan with Nokomis resident Alan Schneider, who has helped with the Naturescape Gardens over the years. He is concerned that park staff is mowing too much of the natural gardens near the trails. He also hopes that planners continue to leave space for pick-up soccer games in the park. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
Arvidson observed that 47 million people a year use the metro-area regional parks, while 10 million visit state parks. The second most popular regional park in Minnesota is the Chain of Lakes Park in Minneapolis with 5.5 million visitors each year.
“Four of the top five most visited parks in the regional park system are in Minneapolis,” said Arvidson. He’s frustrated that the state legislature has excluded these popular areas from bonding bills.
MPRB will likely consider the changes to the Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park plan and public comments at its July 19 meeting, which will begin at 5pm at 2117 W. River Rd. N.

‘Real work’ is an integral part of Gordon Park High School’s curriculum and focus on civic engagement

Students work to transform vacant lot into community park

Article and photos by TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
For Gordon Parks High School (GPHS) students Jay Alrich and Alyssa Castillo (photo right), advocating for a park next to their school at 421 N. Griggs St. has been part of their coursework. (photo right), advocating for a park next to their school at 421 N. Griggs St. has been part of their coursework.
This sort of ‘real work’ is an integral part of the alternative learning center’s emphasis on civic engagement for historically underserved students, according to GPHS teacher Jamie Tomlin.
Alrich is a park listener. “My job is to ask people what they want here,” he explained. He solicits inputs at events, from teachers and students, and when he’s out in the community.
The entire process has been very community-based, according to Castillo. They’ve worked to involve the predominately Somali residents of Skyline Towers across the street, as well as Hmong neighbors.
“It’s not just a school thing,” said Castillo. They’re also working to pull together community members who didn’t know each other before.
Photo left: Gordon Parks High School English teacher Jamie Tomlin collects ideas for park names during an event on May 25, 2017.
This park will be the nearest park for residents, pointed out Alrich.
“I grew up in the neighborhood here,” said Castillo, who now lives in East St. Paul. “We had to trek to find a park.” She added that the nearest park is about a mile away. This one will be much more convenient.
“We hope it will come out as beautiful as we’ve planned,” said Castillo. “This park is going to be beautiful and amazing and everything the community wants and more.”
Students have referred to the park as Three Ring Gardens, while the city has labeled it Lexington Commons. Suggestions for the final name were collected from the community during a student-organized event on May 25 at the site, which is located between University and St. Anthony avenues. The event also included live entertainment, food, historical information, and projects by students.
Another event organized by the Trust for Public Land, Union Park Neighborhood Group, and Lexington-Hamline Community Council is planned for July 31.
Connections
For students, part of the journey has included delving into the history of the parcel. They learned that the space was once known as Circus Hill. Beginning in 1890, the circus returned to Circus Hill every year until 1965. The site’s two parcels were then used primarily for storage of overflow vehicles from both an auto body shop and the former Whitaker dealership. Most recently, the city used the land for snow storage.
As part of the process, students produced a documentary about the history of the land in 2010, and talked to neighborhood resident Nancy Bailey about her memories of the circus.
GPHS students have also worked with University of Minnesota Professor Catherine Squires to collect and digitize stories of local elders.
Photo left: Welcome to the future park. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
“How do you keep a sense of community?” asked Tomlin, when you have neighborhoods like Rondo that were destroyed when I-94 ripped through it. Students tried to answer that question in the Legacy Class she co-teaches with Curriculum & Media Arts Coordinator Paul Creager.
“Along with the Trust for Public Land, we are gathering community awareness of the future park,” said Creager. “We think this is a great story of community-led green space development.”
Mural plants seed
Students have been talking about transforming the three vacant lots next door into a park for years, but the ball really got rolling when some students started attending community events with a mural they created under the direction of artist Peyton Scott Russell.
Photo right: Artist Peyton Scott Russell, Gordon Parks High School teachers Ted Johnson and Tom Davies, and former student Khalique Rogers talk about how the mural behind them helped students connect with their communities through the arts.
The founder of Juxtaposition Arts and Sprayfinger, as well as a 2012-2014 Bush Leadership Fellow, Russell was the first person to teach graffiti as an art form in the Twin Cities. Through a Forecast Public Art program in 2013-2014, Russell encouraged Gordon Park High School students to focus on a project through which young people could interact and connect with their communities through the arts.
Through the process, Russell asked students to consider how they communicate in different ways. The resulting mural shows eight people looking down at their phones with a text message conversation on one side.
“I love the idea of text speak,” remarked Russell. “It is redefining the written language.”
GPHS students discussed how ideas depicted on the mural evoke concerns that matter to the St. Paul community at large during a Creative Placemaking tour lead by urban planner Gil Penalosa of 8-80 Cities. “At the time, we didn’t really envision what it would bring to the school,” recalled former GPHS student Khalique Rogers. But that exposure prompted a private donor to step forward and pledge to make the new park happen.
“It’s really cool to see the seed planted years ago grown into what it is today with perseverance and hard work,” said Rogers, who resides in the Como neighborhood.
Last year, with $1.5 million from the city’s 8-80 Vitality Fund, The Trust for Public Land put together the purchase of the three parcels that will become a 5-acre park as part of the group’s focus on more green space along the light rail line. The land has since been conveyed to the city.
The city has yet to develop a final design or determine who will serve as stewards of the land, although Tomlin hopes that students will continue to play a role. “Keeping them involved is key,” she stated.
Students and neighbors envision a playground, outdoor classroom/amphitheater, indoor gardening space and a community orchard at this property that sits 17 feet higher than University Ave and offers a unique overlook of nearby tree tops and roof tops.
It will be a park that champions open space, equity and access.

Over 1,500 people plant 300 trees at Lake Hiawatha on Arbor Day

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
To celebrate Arbor Day 2017, over 1,500 people planted 300 trees at Lake Hiawatha Park.
The location was chosen, in part, because of the highly engaged community that cares about its parks and trees.
“Having that many more trees means more water is being filtered through the root systems and a certain amount of water is being absorbed, which will create a more resilient landscape and mitigate flooding somewhat,” remarked Ryan Seibold of Friends of Lake Hiawatha, which has advocated for a cleaner lake.
“The trees are also habitat for the many species that depend on a thriving ecosystem. The trees will also create a more scenic environment that the community can enjoy and provide cooler spaces to be in the summer. When the city invests in the environment, we can expect that the community will be happier and healthier.”
The Apr. 28 event included an Arborist Show and Tell, bucket truck rides, rope-and-saddle tree climbing supervised by professional arborists, tree-sized lawn games, tree-themed obstacle course/Nature Play Zone, tree swing, pop-up library with Hennepin County Library, an exhibit about invasive species and trees, bounce house, Heritage Tree Bike Ride, and Arbor Day Fun Run.
Photo right: People for Parks donated $15,000 to the Arbor Day event at Lake Hiawatha. “People for Parks originated in 1977 in response to the Dutch Elm Disease outbreak so being tree stewards has been an integral part of our mission for 40 years,” said People for Parks Executive Director Chriss Joyce. “People for Parks is the only grassroots non-profit that takes individual donations and turns that into funding for special projects and programs right in your backyard. We pride ourselves on bringing people from different generations, ethnic, and social economic backgrounds together to create more joy, love, and peace instead of anger, fear, and hate.” In celebration of its 40th anniversary, People for Parks has allocated $20,000 in matched funding to its mini-grant program. Every dollar donated to the mini-grant program in 2017 will be equally matched. (Photo courtesy of People for Parks)
There were also musical performances by School House Rocks and Twin Town Blasting Corps (a blend of May Day Parade’s Your Community Band with members of the Brass Messengers and Arborators), food trucks and a beer garden.
All proceeds from the beer garden, coffee sales, and the Beer Run were donated to Brewing a Better Forest for Urban Forestry Outreach. With the logo, “water a tree, beer for free,” Brewing a Better Forest partners with local breweries to reward tree watering adopters with free beer tokens.
Helping sponsor the event were People for Parks, Brewing a Better Forest and Pat’s Tap. Community supporters and volunteers included Friends of Lake Hiawatha, Giving Tree Gardens, Harmony Tree, Free Forest School and Ecological Design.
Photo left: MPRB arborists Jason Hendrickson (front) and Nicholas Hart help children and adults plant trees during the Arbor Day event at Lake Hiawatha on April 28, 2017. Over 300 trees were planted at the park that day. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
People for Parks donated $15,000 to the Arbor Day event at Lake Hiawatha. According to People for Parks Executive Director Chriss Joyce, trees help combat climate change, clean the air, provide oxygen, cool city streets, prevent soil erosion and water pollution, shield children from ultra-violet rays, provide food and heal. They also increase property values and business traffic.
Previous Arbor Day plantings have been funded in Logan Park, St. Anthony Park, East Phillips Park,
Pearl Park, Jordan Park, Victory Memorial Drive, Thomas Lowry Park, and Folwell Park.
Citywide, 10,000 trees will be planted by Minneapolis Parks and Recreation this year in parks and along boulevards, many replacing trees lost to Emerald Ash Borer, pointed out arborist Jason Hendrickson. Varieties planted include pine, spruce, fir, linden, Ginko, honey locust, river birch, Kentucky Coffeetree, magnolia, London Planetree, basswood, hickory, and oak.
Varieties planted include pine, spruce, fir, linden, Ginko, honey locust, river birch, Kentucky Coffeetree, magnolia, London Planetree, basswood, hickory, and oak.
Nut and fruit trees include serviceberry, three varieties of crabapple (Centennial, Dolgo, and Chestnut), Turkish filbert/hazelnut, and pine nut. The soil around the fruit trees was treated with a mycorrhizal fungi inoculum treatment thanks to Russ Henry of Giving Tree Gardens. “The tree and fungi will form a symbiotic relationship underground, and they will exchange valuable nutrients with each other—sugars, water, minerals,” said Seibold, “and fungi provide the trees some protection against disease.”
Seibold loves the cherry trees planted along the walking path.
“I immediately envisioned people picking a free and healthy snack while taking in the view of the lake and Minneapolis skyline on a nearby park bench,” said Seibold, who has proposed establishing a food forest at the Hiawatha Golf Course. “I counted about ten cherry trees, so hopefully there will be enough to make a cherry pie someday, and maybe we can make a fun community event around harvesting cherries.
“It was also really exciting to see native bees buzzing all around them as they were flowering. Our food system depends on pollinators, and growing food in our parks is an amazing opportunity to raise awareness of this important connection.”
Photo right: Keewaydin resident Charlie Krocak, age three and a half, climbs a tree during the Arbor Day event at Lake Hiawatha Park on April 28, 2017. He was assisted by MPRB arborist John Elward. “It’s so much fun,” said his father, Brent. “The kids love climbing trees. It’s great for them to be able to do it safely.” (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
There is interest in planting a Three Sisters garden, an Indigenous garden technique planting corn, beans, and squash, so they work together to thrive much like the food forest concept, pointed out Seibold. There is also interest in planting Pollinator Patches that are offered free from the city of Minneapolis. On May 25, MPRB held an open house to gather input on modifying the Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park plan to designate urban agriculture areas.
“It would be amazing to see a continuous naturalized landscape around the whole lake with these interconnected human and wildlife ecosystems integrated throughout,” remarked Seibold.
“We’re getting closer to a healthier Lake Hiawatha.”

If there is no Hiawatha Golf Course, what do residents want there?

The Park Board continues to evaluate whether it will keep the golf course running. Exercise prompts residents to consider the sorts of amenities they would support at Hiawatha Golf Course if the pumps are shut off.

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
If Hiawatha Golf Course doesn’t remain a golf course, what would residents like to see on the land?
That was the question posed during a community meeting at Nokomis Recreation Center on Apr. 20.
In general, attendees supported natural areas and active, multi-generational uses that aren’t found in nearby parks. Many supported the continuation of golf in some form, whether it be a top golf-style driving range, nine-hole golf course or three-hole learning center.
Because of the size residents support a multi-use area that encourages recreation and exercise, while factoring in environmental impacts. Some named cross-country ski trails, a bike park, archery range, ropes and skills course, and open space as positive amenities for the area.
“This is a huge property, and it should be used for things that need a big area. Small activities can be housed at any park. Golf needs a large space, and as much of the property needs to be devoted to golf. Agriculture can take place at distributed park sites and does not need to be housed at the golf course,” wrote one person who left a comment card.
Photo right: Attendees at an April community meeting regarding the Hiawatha Golf Course were asked to share their opinions on what they’d like to see at the golf course property if the pumps were shut off. They were encouraged to consider how the uses benefit immediate neighbors and park users, as well as what it offered the Nokomis-Hiawatha regional park community. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)
However, some did express support for urban agriculture at the property, as well as pollinator gardens, a beekeeping space, deep winter greenhouses, and prairie/wetland restoration.
“What an incredible opportunity we have to create/restore something unique for all generations to follow, for the nonhuman creatures and systems that depend upon this space. Let’s take advantage of this opportunity to restore our little section of the planet,” wrote one person.
Others discussed how important it was to have a trail that went around the entire lake, and how other amenities such as an amphibian education trail, fitness trail, viewing platforms and public art could be worked into that.
“We really want a trail all the way around the lake,” wrote one resident. “It would be great to have it be ADA accessible with fitness trail elements. A climbing wall, ropes and skills course, and a nature playground would be really nice to have. They are very popular with parents and children. There is no other bike/BMX trail/park around.”
Another wrote, “The golf course as it exists now is antithetical to other uses—especially cross-country ski trails, sledding, and hiking (during golf season). If the solution includes golf, the golf uses must be friendly to, and share the park well with, other uses.”
There were those who supported an outdoor gathering space, brewpub or restaurant, food truck area, and event space, and others who pushed for more passive uses and a quieter park.
All of the comments, ideas and possible layouts left by attendees can be viewed on the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) project page.
Golf still an option
MPRB continues to move ahead on evaluating options for the Hiawatha Golf Course, with plans to pinpoint a direction by July 2017.
MPRB Assistant Superintendent of Planning Michael Schroeder explained that if the annual pumping of 242 million gallons of groundwater and 66 million gallons of stormwater continues, there will be no change at the golf course.
“If we’re told to stop pumping, something else needs to happen at the property,” said Schroeder, which prompted the Apr. 20 exercise.
The volume of water being pumped from Hiawatha Golf Course is far greater than allowed by a permit issued by the DNR in 1993 for 36.5 million gallons. About 105 million gallons a year are being pumped in a little circle, seeping from the ponds into Lake Hiawatha and back into the ponds.
MPRB is also factoring in whether nearby residences need the pumping to continue to avoid flooding in their basements, and how to capture trash from the watershed before it enters Lake Hiawatha, Schroeder said.
“Could we lower the lake?” asked Schroeder. He answered, “Technically, we could do it. But we can solve most of the problems using other less expensive solutions.”
What’s next?
Since the last public meeting, staff and consultants have further evaluated options for water management and use of the Hiawatha Golf Course property. The range of options has been narrowed to two directions—one that maintains the current volume of pumping and retains the 18-hole golf course, and one that reduces the volume of pumping while introducing other recreation activities to the property. Potential activities in a reduced pumping scenario draw upon input offered by participants at the April 20 meeting.
The DNR supports the option that reduces the pumping by 70% and closes the golf course.
A more detailed description of each option, including ecological, recreational, economic, and other factors, was shared at a public meeting on May 18 (which missed the June Messenger deadline and will appear in the next edition).

Is German Immersion School affecting neighborhood positively or negatively? Depends on who you ask…

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
Some residents who are living east and north of the Twin Cities German Immersion School (TCGIS) at 1031 Como Ave. say the noise and traffic generated by the school are negatively affecting their quality of life.
School representatives counter that they have given a new vitality to a vacant property, and increased the livability of the neighborhood.
“We think we bring a positive energy to the neighborhood,” said volunteer school board president Kelly Laudon, who has two children at the school.
Neighbors don’t feel involved in TCGIS decisions
Several neighbors attended the TCGIS board meetings in March and April 2017 to voice concerns about how the school “monopolizes” the available street parking and doesn’t have a large enough parking lot for its needs. They feel that the school doesn’t involve the neighborhood in its planning processes, creates traffic problems, is allowing rubber mulch from the playground to build up on neighboring properties and the street, and is contributing to noise pollution in the neighborhood.
Kris Anderson has lived in her home along Van Slyke Ave. across from the school for 28 years. Her biggest concern is whether or not it is appropriate to have such a densely populated organization operating in a residential neighborhood.
“The impact of so many people in such a small space has completely changed the character of the neighborhood when school and after school programs are in session,” said K. Anderson. “I am deeply concerned by the fact that the community feels excluded from school planning, and that no consideration seems to be given to the impact of the school on their neighbors.”
“We want TCGIS to be a responsible neighbor,” said Josh Dworak, who has lived on the school’s east side along Argyle for seven years. “We would like a way to have effective communication with the school to resolve issues that affect our daily lives. We want the school and everyone associated with the school to respond in a way where they take responsibility for their impact on the neighborhood seriously and treat their neighbors as they would like to be treated in their own neighborhood.”
School officials counter that they have been responding to concerns since they were brought up by neighbors at the March school board meeting.
Laudon pointed out that this was the first time that neighbors had been to a school board meeting to complain since she joined the board in Feb. 2014.
St. Paul resident Ted Anderson was hired as the school’s superintendent in July 2016 after previously working at a school in Berlin for four years, and recalls speaking with two neighbors earlier this school year regarding the noise level at the playgrounds. “The other issues brought to the board were new,” he stated.
No parking for residents
“School staff and visitors monopolize neighborhood street parking near the school to the point where residents cannot access to their homes from the street when school is in session,” said neighbor K. Anderson. “This affects our ability to have our own visitors. It affects our ability to access our homes from a level surface—there is a hill behind the houses on the alley side, which makes it difficult to unload groceries, landscaping materials, building materials, sports equipment, and what have you. It affects access to our homes by handicapped individuals, again related to the hill on the alley side and also the availability of parking. Day after day, every street parking spot on Van Slyke Ave. is occupied by school staff and visitors.”
Since hearing about the parking problem in March, the school responded by asking parents and staff to make sure that one parking spot per home was left open.
“I feel that we are making headway,” said the school’s executive director in late April.
While K. Anderson and her husband Kevin agree that things are getting better, they’re still frustrated.
“As you can imagine it is discouraging to have a ‘neighbor’ who is so completely unaware of their impact on the surrounding residents,” said K. Anderson.
She is also frustrated that every discussion with the school seems to start from scratch as there have been three different administrators in the past four years, and a lack of continuity in which staff member is designated to handle community relations.
In the past, an assistant director held TCGIS/Como Community Partnership meetings every other month, which she appreciated.
Recognizing this as a need, TCGIS is planning to establish a community liaison, according to school representatives.
Laudon also pointed out that since moving into the neighborhood, two to three board members have been neighborhood residents, which has been done to remain connected with the neighborhood. Specifically, Jenneke Oosterhoff who lives along Como Ave. is appointed as a community-at-large board member and doesn’t have any children attending the school.
When the school learned from a community member that the District 10 Community Council planned to talk about the school at its April Land Use Meeting, the school’s director wrote up a letter that day outlining the steps they were taking following the March complaints, and school board member Natalie Yaeger, who lives in the neighborhood, read it at the meeting.
“We hope that these steps are contributing to improved conditions in the neighborhood and we are committed to collaborating with neighbors on practical, practicable solutions to these issues,” wrote TCGIS’s executive director in the letter.
Resident K. Anderson remains frustrated that the school has “no parking” signs up on its side of the street on both Como and Van Slyke.
Laudon explained that this is done for the safety of students, and to ensure that pick-up and drop-off run smoothly and quickly. Parents are not allowed to linger on the street, but instead pull up, drop their children off and leave. And, each drop-off and pick-up is spaced out over 20 minutes to help space out the number of people arriving and departing, according to Laudon.
To improve things for parents and ease traffic in the neighborhood, TCGIS partnered with Great River School two years ago and began running three buses to transport students.
Playground materials toxic?
In March, Dworak helped neighbor Arturo Sanchez shovel a 5-foot by 5-foot by 4-inch-deep pile of rubber mulch material from his alleyway that had drifted over from the TCGIS playground.
Dworak is concerned about the “chunks of tire and deteriorating rubber” found in the school’s environmental rain drains, streets and neighboring properties. “Basically, TCGIS has installed a rubber tire dump on the playground that is polluting Lake Como and the Mississippi Watershed,” stated Dworak. “The neighbors smell deteriorating rubber on days where the temperature gets above 50 degrees.”
Executive Director T. Anderson said they “really regret the extent to which the rubber playground material has been transported off our property, and we have stepped up our efforts to mitigate the problem with the installer and manufacturer. The crumbling is excessive and has resulted in significant amounts being transported onto Mr. Sanchez’s property and into the alley during routine snow removal.” They have cleaned up the alley and plan to work with Sanchez to clean up the area around his bushes.
T. Anderson countered that the rubber mulch is not toxic, and is included on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s list of acceptable landscaping products. “We have been assured by the installer that the material is safe,” he said.
He added the playground was designed in cooperation with the Capitol Region Watershed District to keep rainfall on the property and flowing into the ground to reduce run-off into Lake Como. The rubber mulch is supposed to help with that. However, the school is concerned about how fast it is deteriorating and is discussing that with the manufacturer, pointed out T. Anderson. Once it warms up, the installer will take measures to strengthen the surface.
Environmental issues have always been a priority at TCGIS, say school representatives. There is a recycling program and students separate their trash into a compost bin at lunch.
Excessive noise levels
Some neighbors near the school think that the noise it generates is excessive, reaching levels that may damage hearing.
“I have frequently heard that I moved in next to a school, what did I expect?” pointed out K. Anderson. “It is extremely disappointing that I have never heard any school official recognize that this institution moved into a residential neighborhood and that they have any responsibility to preserve the character of that neighborhood.”
Dworak works nights, and the noise from the school playground prevents him from being able to sleep during the day. Anderson says that the noise is far too persistent and unpleasant to open windows, and prevents free use of neighboring porches and yards.
School representatives pointed out that they continue to remind kids to refrain from excessive yelling and screaming, but their program also recognizes that children need not just mental stimulation but physical activity to thrive.
Among the various options the school is considering is erecting a sound barrier, but they also recognize that a wall could have unintended consequences and create more barriers, said Laudon.
“The values we hold as a school community drive how we want to respond to the neighborhood,” observed Laudon. They teach students to gather information, interpret it, and then come up with solutions. “You don’t rush to solutions, you think about all the options,” Laudon stated.
‘We hear you. We see you.’
The tuition-free German Immersion School opened its doors in the fall of 2005 with kindergarten and first grade at the old Union Hall along Eustace Ave. As it grew by adding a new kindergarten class each year, it moved to a larger but 90-year-old office building at 1745 University Ave. In the 2012-2013 school year, TCGIS reached its full configuration as a K-8 school.
The next year, it moved its 370 students to the recently renovated former home of St. Andrews Catholic Church and parochial school in the Warrendale neighborhood along Como Ave.
The charter school’s small class sizes help ensure individualized attention for up to 24 students per class. The school offers full-day immersion kindergarten, English instruction beginning in third grade, and Spanish language in the seventh grade.
Each year, 87% of parents volunteer in some capacity at the school.
Earlier this year, the Minnesota Department of Education recognized the school as one of its 2016-2017 Reward Schools.
The K-8 charter school currently serves 524 students. The largest classes are the youngest, which have three sections. As they rise through the school, TCGIS will need more space. The board has just begun its five-year strategic planning process to identify solutions to space needs.
While they expected attrition as students got older and moved away, all available spots are filled as soon as they open, even in the higher grades, pointed out Laudon. “It’s been some unexpected success,” she said. They have found that some families are actually choosing to move to the Twin Cities because they want their children to attend this school. Those same people often opt to move into the neighborhood when homes open up, in part because of the European mentality of having homes near their work and school to cut down on driving, she explained.
The school’s mission is “innovative education of the whole child through German immersion,” remarked Laudon. Its vision: Andere hören, andere sehen, weltoffen denken und handeln. Roughly translated, they work to hear others, see others and think broadly from a global perspective, she explained.
To the neighbors, Laudon said: “We are hearing you. We are seeing you. We want to think globally and broadly as we respond.”

This story appeared in the May 2017 edition of the the St. Paul Monitor.