FARM DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION
Find the full Frogtown Farm Framework plan here.
The early farm design was facilitated by Rebar, with guidance from Frogtown community members, the Farm Design Advisory Committee, and the Frogtown Farm Board. Rebar is a design studio based in San Francisco that has experience creating many community farms and gardens. The team includes two farmers, a builder, architects, a civil engineer, and landscape architects. More than half of the team members live in the Twin Cities. Read more about the team and community design process here.
Throughout the initial design process (Sept. 2013 – Jan. 2014), there was a series of community workshops and meetings as well as online and print surveys to gather ideas and feedback on goals and design concepts for the farm. Several meetings were also held jointly with the City of Saint Paul to gather input on overall park design. Once this preliminary design was created and adopted (culminating in a final community celebration on January 4th, 2013), the Farm proceeded to develop plans for soil building and construction. The 2015 construction implementation for the entire 12.7-acre park, of which the 5-acre farm is a part, is being led by the City of St. Paul Parks and Rec Dept.
See meeting documents and photos here and here. For more information or to get involved, Contact:
Kathleen Anglo- kathleen.anglo@ci.stpaul.mn.us
As we move into this new implementation phase there will continue to be opportunities for residents to participate in start-up and ongoing farm activities. Stay tuned for updates on our Community Ambassador Blog, News, and Events pages, and be sure to like us on Facebook!
MILESTONES & TIMELINE
2013
- Jan: Community engagement in farm and park design launched
- Spring/Summer: Design firm selection process for farm
- Aug: Farm design process begins with selection of Rebar Art and Design Studio
- Sept-Dec: Community workshops and meetings to gather ideas and feedback on goals and design concepts for the farm; several meetings held jointly with the City of Saint Paul to address overall park design
- Dec: Wilder sells land parcel to Trust for Public Land; TPL sells parcel to City of Saint Paul; City owns all park land
2014
- Jan: 12.7-acre site becomes Saint Paul’s newest public park
- Jan: Park and Farm design presented to community at January 4th event; community feedback and Frogtown Farm Board final approval
- Mar: City of Saint Paul approves lease of 5 acres to Frogtown Farm
- Spring/Summer: Community engagement continues with Community Ambassadors door knocking, hosting open house hours, conducting surveys, organizing backyard compost workshops and more
- Fall: City contractor bidding process began.
2015
- Spring: Construction begins! 2015 work will include: development of basic infrastructure (grading, public pathways, lighting, signage, vehicular access and parking), utilities, and temporary amenities (picnic tables, benches, bike racks); composting and soil building including cover crop crops in farm fields. May update.
- Grand Opening celebration of Frogtown Park and Farm on Saturday, October 3, 2015
Beyond
- Phasing of site and program development continues
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