We were thrilled to host State, City and community leaders to dedicate the community garden at the Rondo Commemorative Plaza site on Juneteenth (Saturday, June 19th).
We received a $150,000 grant from the Republic Services Charitable Foundation to add a community garden at the Plaza, and 60 volunteers from Republic Services and several community volunteers gave their time to this project over two days.
Elected officials and community leaders who participated in this dedication included Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, ReConnect Rondo Board Chair Marvin Anderson, Chair of the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Toni Carter, City Councilmember Dai Thao, Minnesota Senator Sandra Pappas, Minnesota Senator Erin Murphy, Minnesota Representative Rena Moran, and St. Paul Police Commissioner Todd Axtell.
The revitalized space will provide the community with an enhanced place to gather, perform, recreate and celebrate cultural heritage.
This project is one element of a greater plan to reconnect the historically black neighborhood that was split apart when construction of Interstate 94 began in 1956. St. Paul nonprofit, ReConnect Rondo, envisions a 15 to 20-acre land bridge over the interstate between Lexington Ave. and Rice St., more seamlessly integrating the north and south sides of this diverse and culturally vibrant community.
Learn more and check out coverage of our project:
