St. Anthony Park Park Falcon Heights Lauderdale Como Park Buglewww.parkbugle.org January 2011 Como Park update Dudley Riggs Kilmer This distinguished funnyman did more Memorial than bring satirical restoration comedy to the Twin Cities. He gave us one of many espresso. projects Page 3 underway at regional park By Kristal Leebrick Como Regional Park never sleeps. The 347-acre park has been an ever- evolving work in progress since the first 259.95 acres of farmland were purchased in 1873. In June, the park opened its new Polar Bear Odyssey exhibit. Con- struction on the zoo’s next new Photos by Lori Hamilton habitat, the Gorilla Forest, is slated to begin in late 2011. Ground broke for Marielle Wiersma, Kevin the new aquatic facility in October. Torstenson and Garrett It will replace the 1960s-era Como Wiersma took a spin with some Pool. In November, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department began not-so-tiny reindeer in Moving On work on the Como Woodland December during the Shop Outdoor Classroom project, which Home for the Holidays kick-off will provide an outdoor learning area in St. Anthony Park Dec. 4. Artists with studios at and the restoration of the Joyce Park Midway Bank sponsored the Chittenden and Kilmer Memorial Fireplace site. the sleigh rides, which were Eastman building are Here’s an update of some of the powered by Prancer (left) and projects underway at the park. packing up and his buddy Vixen. scattering to new spaces. WPA-era memorial restored In the southern area of the park, just Page 6 west of the pool site, stands a half- hidden stone fireplace dedicated to a New Jersey poet known best for his work “Trees” (“I think that I shall never see / A poem as lovely as a tree St. Paul parks overhaul to be . .”). The Joyce Kilmer Memorial— also known as the “Dutch addressed at public hearing Oven”—was built by the Works Progress Administration in 1936. If you haven’t had a chance to review plan was rescheduled for a public from the five community meetings, That structure, which had been the city’s draft plan to overhaul the hearing in January. Residents who along with submitted content covered with graffiti and in general parks and recreation system, there’s have concerns about changes to the through the Systems Plan website, at disrepair, is in the heart of the Como still time. city’s parks system can express those www.tinyurl.com/systemplan. The Woodland Outdoor Classroom and A special Parks and Recreation concerns at the public hearing. site also contains the draft plan. is now being restored. Commission public hearing will be Readers can view comments The park received a $250,000 held Monday, Jan. 10, from 6:30 to Legacy Grant from the Minnesota 8 p.m. at the Phalen Golf Course Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund to clubhouse, 1615 Phalen Drive, to help remove the graffiti and paint on hear public comments on the Parks the fireplace, replace the broken and Recreation System Plan. Ah, choo! stone, rebuild the firebox and Last spring, the St. Paul Parks Give the gift of community news mantels, create and install fireplace and Recreation Department released Natalie Zett offers an gates and restore the fire ring, said a preliminary draft plan for Looking for a last-minute gift? Make a donation to the Park Bryan Murphy, landscape architect overhauling the current parks and Bugle in the name of your recipient. Donate online (go to alternative view to with the Parks and Recreation recreation system. A series of five www.parkbugle.org and click on DONATE NOW). When fighting the common Department. The restoration, which community meetings were held to you make your donation, check the “add a dedication” box and cold. is scheduled for completion in April, hear public comment about the plan, then enter the name of your recipient and a short message. We comes just in time for the memorial’s which was scheduled to go before the will email a certificate to you to give as a gift. You can also Page 7 75th anniversary in 2011. A rede- Parks and Recreation Commission request a gift donation certificate with a mailed donation. dication is scheduled for May. on Dec. 8. There was such a great Como Park to 8 response from city residents that the 2 PARK BUGLE n JANUARY 2011 CITY FILES Como Park Falcon Heights Parks and Recreation or they can place them in the new are listed below: Council is looking for 150 people to A special election to fill vacancies for Department at 651-792-7617. Tennis recycling cart and they will be Nancy Dilts has led the allow the Energy Squad to make board positions for subdistricts 2 and recycled. Environment Committee and the improvements to their homes. The 3 will be held Tuesday, Dec. 21, at 7 Falcon Heights Parks and Recreation entire South St. Anthony Park program includes the installation of p.m. at the District 10 Community is offering a Tae Kwon Do–Little AARP volunteers will provide free neighborhood through the years- a programmable thermostat, weather Council meeting at the Historic Tigers program for youth ages 3-5. tax-preparation assistance on long process of developing a tree, stripping and adding compact Streetcar Station, 1224 N. Lexington Kids learn basic self-defense and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 landscaping and rain-water-manage- fluorescents, water-saving devices and Pkwy. martial arts skills, while developing a.m.–noon at Falcon Heights City ment plan for Hampden Park. She a water heater blanket. coordination and flexibility with Hall, 2077 W. Larpenteur Ave., helped the neighborhood arrive at a More than 250 St. Anthony their peers. A new session will begin starting Feb. 1. Volunteers will assist plan that will replace damaged trees Park homeowners and renters have Falcon Heights Dec. 28 from 5–5:30 p.m. at Falcon with state, federal and property- and make a park that can be already participated. The goal is to Shaila Cunningham, a certified Heights City Hall, 2077 W. tax/rental-credit returns. This service sustained and enjoyed by residents. have 400 participate by the end of yoga instructor with 10 years of Larpenteur Ave. Cost is $26 for will run through Tuesday, April 12. Dilts is the chair of the Environment the heating season. Participants experience teaching yoga, is offering Falcon Heights residents and $30 for This is a walk-in-only service and is Committee and has promoted a receive nearly $400 in products and a class focused on slow, gentle, nonresidents. Register online at provided for senior citizens and low- unique collaboration of efforts with services. Residents pay $30 if they repetitive motion, emphasizing www.falconheights.org or call 651- income and handicapped taxpayers. the Mississippi Watershed Manage- attend a workshop; otherwise the breath with movement. Classes 792-7617. Volunteers are trained by the IRS and ment Organization and the city of St. price is $50. began Dec 18; however, late starters Minnesota Department of Revenue. Paul. Two workshops are scheduled in are welcome and rates will be pro- New recycling carts will be delivered Complicated tax returns will not be Roger Purdy has been an active January and February: Jan. 22, rated. Saturday classes run for nine to homes in December. The city prepared. Please bring a copy of last member of the District 12 Council 10–noon, at Hancock Recreation weeks from 9:30–10:30 a.m. Cost is chose Tennis Sanitation to serve as year’s return and your Social Security and currently serves as co-chair of the Center, 1060 Hubbard Ave., or $72 for Falcon Heights residents and the city’s recycling hauler beginning card. Land Use committee. He is Tuesday, Feb. 8, 6:30–8 p.m. at the $81 for nonresidents. Tuesday classes in 2011. The new system will be collaborative and creative in his St. Anthony Park Branch Library, “single sort,” meaning all recyclable approach to important issues in the 2245 Como Ave. begin Dec. 21 and run for 10 sessions Lauderdale from 9:15–10:15 a.m. Cost is $80 materials may be placed in one cart. community, shows outspoken For more information or to rsvp for Falcon Heights residents and $90 Pickup days will be every Friday Don’t let Old Man Winter keep you support and dedication to the call 651-649-5992. Seating at the for nonresidents. Register online at instead of every other week. at bay. Brave the cold and make a neighborhood and is a strong library is limited. Another option is www.falconheights.org or call the Residents may keep their blue bins, Commotion in the Snow at spokesperson for local governance. to schedule a 30-minute mini- Lauderdale Community Park His leadership of the Como Avenue workshop for you and your Saturday, Jan. 29. For more 2030 Small Area Plan task force is neighbors. information, check the city’s website one of many examples of his vision at www.ci.lauderdale.mn.us. and care for the vitality of St. Anthony Park. City of St. Paul Murray Junior High School’s If you are planning to travel this St. Anthony Park tutoring program helps students winter, the St. Paul Volunteer Police The St. Anthony Park Community struggling or failing in the core Reserves will conduct a house watch council has announced its 2010 academic classes. Cindy Thrasher for you. They will walk around the Honor Roll, which recognizes three developed this one-on-one multi-day outside of your home to make sure people who have been doing tutoring model and trains, schedules that it is secure while you are gone outstanding work on behalf of the and evaluates tutors to ensure and will do this for up to 30 days.