Sheridan Memorial Park Raingarden Tending

In addition to being the city's newest park, Sheridan Memorial is the first to be named for the local Sheridan community and was the result of a long-term effort to declare a local veterans park. Located near the Grain Belt brewery complex along the river, the park and the memorial are the inspiring result of a year-long planning process between Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, Sheridan Neighborhood Organization, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, elected officials, the Above the Falls Citizens Advisory Committee (which includes FMR), neighborhood residents and veterans. 

Last spring, FMR volunteers installed a large raingarden to beautify the park, provide bee, butterfly and bird habitat, and reduce the amount of polluted runoff flowing from the nearby parking lot and local streets into the Mississippi River. Volunteers are now needed to work with FMR ecologist Alex Roth and stewardship coordinator Adam Flett to help maintain the relatively young planting by weeding out invasive species — such as birdsfoot trefoil, sweet clover, burdock and dandelions (which aren't alwys something we pull, but will push out the native species in the raingarden if left unattended) — and assisting with other tending tasks, including replanting, as needed. 

This restoration is part of the larger Above the Falls Master Plan and part of FMR's Above the Falls program, providing opportunities for education, access and hands-on restoration along the banks of the Mississippi River north of St. Anthony Falls. 

Ready to register?

To ensure a high-quality experience, capacity is limited and registration required. Registrants will be emailed directions to the correct meeting spot and other essential details. (The map below is for general reference only.)

Children are welcome to participate with a parent or guardian. Teens are welcome to participate independently, but we'll need a guardian to complete this online minor permission form in advance.

To sign up, contact FMR Event Registrar Amy Kilgore via the contact form (please select "Volunteering" under "Category") or akilgore@fmr.org, 651-222-2193 x31. Please include: the name of the event, your name, address and phone number and the number in your party (up to 3).

You will receive a confirmation email with directions and other essentials from Amy within two business days. If you don't see a message, please check your SPAM folder. 

Can't make it?

If you can't make this event but would like to be notified of future Above the Falls or other restoration and education events, contact FMR Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator sue rich at srich@fmr.org, or sign up for our twice-a-month e-newsletter "Mississippi Messages" above right.

Learn more

• FMR's Above the Falls page
• Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Sheridan Memorial Park 
• Articles about the creation of the park, by The Journal, The Northeaster and tcdailyplanet.