Friends' Garden Projects
at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Special Project Funding
The Friends have undertaken funding various projects over the years to benefit the Wildflower Garden. These projects are jointly worked out between the Friends and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB). These projects are funded from donations and memorials received by The Friends. A photo-sampling of the many projects funded by The Friends is presented below. Comprehensive chronological list at the bottom of the page.
Photo gallery of some past projects
Phase II of wetland boardwalk - Details of project.
Cary George Wetland Boardwalk - installed July 2015
Background: For a detailed history of this project.
Construction of the Martha E. Crone Shelter: 1969-1970
For a detailed history of the Shelter Project and more photos of the new and the old: Shelter Project
Construction of the Front Gate to the Garden - 1990
Construction of the Back Gate (1995-1997) and the addition of ornamental fencing (2005)
Funding for the Avery Birding Terrace - 2005
Click this link for information on Ken Avery and the dedication of the Ken Avery Birding Terrace.
Materials for the repair and improvement of the Garden Curator's shed; 1997 -1998
Shelter improvements, natural spring renovation, birdbath, seats, book.
Garden Rustic Restroom Materials (1973), New Screen Door for Shelter (2007), new desk for Shelter (2017).
Chronological Project Listing:
- 2021 - Plant purchases - $1,000
- 2020 - Purchase of 2,664 flowers, ferns, grasses and sedges in 26 different species - $7,341. Detailed List.
- 2019 - Completion of boardwalk phase II panels, installation and design fees - final installment $22,113 (Details). (Grand total for the Friends for both phase I and phase II - $148,000 with the MPRB funding a similar amount.) Student Transportation Grants - $2,750. 145 new shrub and tree plantings - $2,474. (Detailed plant list) Support for Friends Invasive Plant Action Group - $650.
- 2018 - Fabrication of sections for phase II of the wetland boardwalk - $50,800 (Details); Prairie and wetland restoration - $3,469; Student Transportation Grants - $2,040.
- 2017 - Completion of Shelter Desk - total cost $1464, Prairie and wetland restoration - $3,500. Student Transportation Grants - $2,040. Special planting around Shelter - $400.
- 2016 - Miscel. projects: Deposit on construction of a new desk for the Martha Crone Shelter - $500; kids backpack project - $139; support for Friends Invasive Plant Action Group - $192; Shelter furniture upkeep - $162; Student Transportation Grants - $2,348; Prairie Restoration - $975.
- 2015 - July - Installation of the Boardwalk as part of the Cary George Wetland Project. Details Here. Planting of 100 trees and shrubs on Geranium Path -$2,042. Details Here. Invasive plant control in the prairie and marsh areas - $5,125.
- 2014 - Design completion for the Cary George Wetland Project. $75,000 deposited with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board for design and construction costs. $2,816 in funding for 752 students to visit the Garden. $500 to Minneapolis Audubon. $300 to Florilegiunm event, $300 to Junior naturalist program.
- 2013 - Funding for 646 herbaceous woodland plants for the Garden entrance and Trillium Trail. $3,410 funding for 986 students to visit the Garden. $3,750 funding for the Bee Survey of the Garden - Bee study details. Details of the other projects.
- 2012 - Funding for the acquisition of 2,850 wildflowers and ferns for the Violet Way Trail (23 species) and 152 trees and shrubs (nine species) for the Woodland Garden. $7,647. (Details). Transportation funding for students to visit the Garden - $705; Buckthorn removal - $740; Tools and storage boxes - $470.
- 2011 - Funding for the acquisition of 1,429 wildflowers and ferns planted in the east hardwood forest, uphill of Violet Way Trail. Seventeen species total, $2,645. Details. Transportation funding for students to visit the Garden, 2,343; other projects, $1,006.
- 2010 - Funding for the acquisition of 145 trees of 6 species that were planted by the Garden staff in selected areas of the lowland hardware forest in the Woodland Garden, $3,046. Details. Transportation funding for students to visit the Garden.
- 2009 - Funding for the acquisition of 1,460 herbaceous woodland plants of 26 species that were planted by the Garden staff in selected areas adjacent to Violet Way Trail (the East path in the Woodland Garden), $2,869, Details. Transportation funding for students to visit the Garden, $1,200.
- 2008- Acquisition of new trees and shrubs to restore the native shrub, understory tree and canopy trees in the Woodland Garden in the area near and north of the back gate. This area was previously cleared on invasive plants, primarily buckthorn, and this planting will fill in the openings. $6,705. Details.
- 2007 - Acquisition of new plant material for spring planting that will include a large number of spring blooming plant types such as Bloodroot and Wild Ginger. $4,250.
- 2007 - Funding for a new shelter exterior door with custom ironwork - $2,020. (Details)
- 2006 - Provide funding for over 300 native trees, shrubs and vines in the Garden
- 2005 - Funding for the creation of the Avery Birding Terrace. Funding for the addition of ornamental fence at the back gate to match the front gate fencing. (Details of Avery Terrace)
- 2004 - New copper rain gutters for the Martha Crone Shelter - photo above
- 2002 - Funds for trail work from the Shelter area down to the bog trails.
- 2001 - Funds for production of the new guide book. - photo above
- 2000 - Funds for new trail timbers from the front gate down to the Shelter. Three new patio area benches.
- 1998-99 - Installing a well at the Great Medicine Spring. (Details)
- 1998 - Purchase of two bike racks. Purchase of log splitter for the Garden.
- 1998- Funding for materials to repair and improve the Curator's work shed.
- 1996 - 1998 Funding for a new back gate, fence and gate area landscaping. Additional fencing in 2005.
- 1997 - Funding help for replacing the back Garden trail from the Woodland Garden up to the Upland Garden.
- 1995 - Funding for completion of the new back gate and wrought iron work on the gate; wrought iron fencing in the area leading away from the front gate. Photo above. Funding for the Nordquist Fountain in the Upland Garden. Bookcase for the Shelter. Purchase of 3 granite slabs to use as seats in the Upland Garden new addition.
- 1994 - Funds for work on designating the Garden as a historic site.
- 1993 - New fencing for a portion of the Upland Garden. Help for the acquisition of additional Upland Garden area. Purchase of granite boulders for seating at the Mallard Pool area
- 1992 - New Stove in the Garden Curator's Shed.
- 1990 - Funds for a new attic floor in the Martha Crone Shelter and acquisition of a boulder and sculpting it to make a birdbath (Funds from the Marion Grimes estate). Located on central hill in the Upland Garden. (Details). Funding of the research and publication of The Wild Gardener, a biography of Eloise Butler, by Martha E. Hellander. (Details)
- 1990 - Funding for the construction of the new front gate. Photo above
- 1989 - Purchase of a drop-down ladder for attic access in the Martha Crone Shelter. Beginning funding to Martha Hellander for her research on Eloise Butler. (Details)
- 1988 - Purchase of a refrigerator and reference books for the Martha Crone Shelter.
- 1986 - Funding for a complete plant census of the Garden in preparation for issuance of a new guidebook, funds for a shelter alarm system and repairs caused by a break-in.
- 1985 - Funds for the purchase of plants for the Garden and for Small Study Grants to Students
- 1981 - Funds for Small Study Grants to Students
- 1983 - Funds for two Garden Benches as memorials between front gate and the Shelter and for Small Study Grants to Students
- 1982 - Funds for a telephone answering machine and for Small Study Grants to Students
- 1981 - Funds for reprinting the Garden Visitor Guide and for for Small Study Grants to Students
- 1980 - Funds for the printing of the first edition of a new Garden Visitor Guide and for Small Study Grants to Students
- 1979 - Funds for Small Study Grants to Students
- 1978 - Funds for Small Study Grants to Students, Log Splitter, Two captains chairs for the Shelter
- 1975 - Funds to rehabilitate the old Front Gate to the Garden replacing it with an iron gate, add new steps from the parking lot and a handrail along the steps. Replacement for the stolen tape deck.
- 1974 - Funds to install lighting for the Martha Crone Shelter display cases, new fireplace doors and a chain saw.
- 1973 - Funding for the construction of the Garden Restroom near the front gate.
- 1972 - Funds for the purchase of a garden tractor.
- 1969 - 1970 Funding for the construction of the Martha Crone Shelter. (Details)
- 1955 - 1968 Prior to the construction of the Martha Crone Shelter, the Friends donated $500 per year to the Park Board to be used for Garden projects.
- Over many years - The establishment of the natural history library at the Wildflower Garden through donations of guide books and resource materials
- Purchase of audiovisual equipment in various years.
- Volunteer hours to staff the shelter and for invasive plant control. Numerous every year since 1970
Through 2021, total dollars provided through the Friends exceeds $400,000.