May 31, 2018, Thursday - Tend the Demonstration Prairie at Ole Olson Park

Tend the Demonstration Prairie at Ole Olson Park

Thursday, May 31, 6 -- 8 pm

Ole Olson Park, part of Above the Falls Regional Park

In addition to stunning skyline views, the riverfront trails of Ole Olson Park in north Minneapolis bring pedestrians and cyclists through a small prairie planting, featuring blooms that are good for bees, birds, butterflies and water quality. Learn more about these showy flowers and grasses as you help Friends of the Mississippi River staff protect this demonstration native prairie planting along the river.

For information and to register: http://www.fmr.org/events/2018/05/31/tend-demonstration-prairie-ole-olson-park

Ole Olson Park in north Minneapolis is known for its top-notch walking and biking trails and stunning skyline views, but we want it to be recognized for even more. Join FMR as we return to this riverfront park to tend an important native demonstration prairie garden along the bike trail. These showy flowers and grasses will not only beautify the park but provide much-needed bee, butterfly and bird habitat. And, with deep root systems that act like filters, they'll help reduce the amount of pollution flowing into the Mississippi River. 

This event will help further our long-term transformation and commitment at this site and to the river. Although a small urban site, Ole Olson is home to a surprising diversity of landscapes, including riverfront shoreline, woodland terrace and grassland slopes. While the city parks department has been working to restore and stabilize the shoreline and slopes, much of the park is home to Russian thistle and other invasive plants that provide neither wildlife habitat nor a pleasant view. Working with the city and relying on local volunteer power, we look forward to transforming the park into an oasis of habitat and respite — returning willows to the shoreline, wildflowers to the slopes and majestic oaks to the terraces.

As always, all are welcome, however, capacity is limited and registration required. We'll provide any tools and training needed.