Via MPRB
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board thanks everyone who weighed in on the long-range concept design for Soo Line Community Garden. The design was developed following the 2024 discovery of soil contamination at the garden and continued through the installation of a temporary garden solution in 2025.
The project team worked hard to review the issues and feedback shared by a variety of stakeholder communities during engagement and in response to a draft design released last year. The resulting concept design incorporates that feedback to the extent possible; it is also guided by MPRB’s approved Parks for All Comprehensive Plan, its Urban Agriculture Activity Plan, and the Midtown Greenway Regional Trail Plan.
About the concept design
In addition to fully remediating the garden site, the concept design allows for an immersive garden experience and includes:
- 100+ garden plots (see #1 in the image above)
- orchard (#14) and pollinator plantings (#11)
- accessible path (#8) and garden beds (#2)
- communal gathering spaces (#4) with shade and seating
- children’s garden (#5)
- stormwater treatment area with native plants (#7)
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Next Steps
Once approved, the long-range concept design for Soo Line Community Garden will support fundraising efforts to construct the full project.
Public Hearing on December 3
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) has scheduled a public hearing on the the Soo Line Garden concept design on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 at 6:30 pm in the Board Room at Mary Merrill Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Headquarters at 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis.
Everyone is welcome to attend the hearing in person or send written comments.
Share your comments in person: Go to MPRB Headquarters on the day of the hearing and add your name to the sign-up sheet at the front desk. You may also call 612-230-6400 before 3 pm on the day of the hearing to sign up to speak.
Email written comments: Send your comments to opentime@minneapolisparks.org
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More information
Visit the project page for key documents, including a detailed FAQ
Subscribe to email updates
Project Contact
Colleen O’Dell, MPRB Planning Services Division
612-230-6469 | codell@minneapolisparks.org
What a beautiful plan for one of the loveliest, most natural, and community-focused gardens in the entire city. It has thrived for decades and I’m so glad the community fought to save it. It’s a shame community gardens are continually targeted for development, but I’m glad the Park Board stood up for the Whittier community and the many immigrants I see tending to the garden.