Master Gardeners of Crow Wing County: Beautification Projects
Crow Wing County Master Gardeners dedicate many of their volunteer hours to beautification projects throughout the county. In some cases, several Master Gardeners get together to plant, weed and water at specific sites such as the Northland Arboretum in Brainerd and the Pelican Woods Cemetery and Nature Trail in Breezy Point. Other times, they work individually adding beauty to our surrounding like the work done at the Lions Memorial Gardens at Camp Vanasek by Whipple Beach in Baxter.
Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway
The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway is located on 54 miles of stunning scenery through the cities of Pequot Lakes, Breezy Point, Crosslake, Manhattan Beach, Pine River, Jenkins and the Townships of Wilson, Pelican, Mission, Timothy, Barclay, Gail Lake, Jenkins and Ideal.
In 2006, a total of 14 interpretative kiosks were installed along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway route. In 2009 the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association contacted the CWC Master Gardeners for assistance with landscaping and maintenance of these kiosks.
Responding to the request, six Master Gardeners agreed to "take over" three of these kiosks - "Old Grade Road Kiosk" on County Road 1, "Chiarella Forest Management Area Kiosk" on County Road 11 and "Breezy Point City offices Kiosk" on County Road 11. Photos of these three kiosks (prior to any work done by Master Gardeners) are posted below.
Lake Country Echo article, August 6, 2009. MG-PaulBunyan-article.pdf
Horticulture Building at County Fairgrounds
It all started in 2007 with the construction of a pergola for the booth area used by the Master Gardeners during the county fair. In the summer of 2008 many more additional improvements were made to the entire inside area of the building where the horticulture exhibits are displayed, including making and painting the display tables and shelves, the upgrade of the water feature and the addition of much needed exhaust fans.
Flower Planters at Gregory Park in Brainerd
For the first time in 2007, flower boxes at Gregory Park were planted and maintained by several Master Gardeners.
"Weed & Clean Day" at the Brainerd Public Library
Many Master Gardeners participated in the "Weed & Clean Day" at the Brainerd Public Library in 2007 and then again in 2009.
Pelican Woods Cemetery and Nature Trail in Breezy Point
Pelican Woods Cemetery is all about nature. Walking the trail around the perimeter of the property is a good way for visitors to breathe deep and relax. The Trail Stations have been designed to enhance the natural beauty of this unique setting; visitors find familiar and unfamiliar trees, flowers and greenery which grow well in Northern Minnesota's harsh climate.
The cemetery is owned and managed by the City of Breezy Point, led by a group of volunteers on the Cemetery Commission. Landscape gardens have been planned and developed by a team of Crow Wing County Master Gardeners, who have worked together on the project since 1999. While mowing, fertilizing, and "heavy" landscape maintenance work are handled by a contract employee, volunteers come weekly for maintenance and planting sessions. At least one Master Gardener has been on site to guide volunteer activities during the weekly work sessions, and plantings are well cared-for throughout the summer.
For a PDF version of the garden information, click here: Pelican Woods Cemetery Garden (pdf)
Crow Wing County Campus - Land Services Building
In 2007, several Master Gardeners donated and planted drought-tolerant plants for this site. In 2008 additional plants were added. With no additional irrigation, plants thriving at this location are
Achillea filipendula (yarrow) and
Phalaris arundinacea (ribbongrass).
Gardens at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds
Each year thousands of visitors come to the Crow Wing County Fair. Many of the plants for the containers and the Heirloom Vegetable Garden are grown at the Brainerd Community Agriculture Center. Master Gardeners, along with a group of ninth graders, help with the planting in the spring. A Master Gardener coordinates the entire project which includes container plantings outside each of the many buildings on the fairgrounds, a vegetable garden, and a perennial garden with places for visitors to sit and relax while visiting the fair.
"Weekly Weeders" at the Northland Arboretum in Brainerd
For several years now the "Weekly Weeders" a group of local Master Gardeners and other volunteers, have been meeting one morning each week to volunteer at the Northland Arboretum, a 500-acre site located in the heart of the Brainerd Lakes Area.
Memory Garden at Northland Arboretum in Brainerd
The Memory Garden at the Northland Arboretum is completed thanks to the hard work of several Master Gardeners. The Landscape Technology Class, along with several Master Gardeners, designed and installed a waterfall, bridge, pond, adjoining flower beds, pathways and a paved sitting area to complete the Memory Garden. The garden is composed of three tiers of boulders that expand more than 90 feet. Master Gardeners have been planning, planting, and maintaining the tiered area for several years. Hundreds of visitors stop at the garden, many to relax and reflect on loved ones they have lost. An irrigation system was installed in 2009.
Lions Memorial Gardens at Camp Vanasek in Baxter
The Baxter Lions Memorial Gardens is located at Camp Vanasek on Whipple Lake in Baxter. Since 2007, a Crow Wing County Master Gardener has been volunteering many hours at this particular site.
Other Community Beautification Projects - Past and Current:
Gazebo Gardens at Northland Arboretum in Brainerd
Boy Scout's Secret Garden at Northland Arboretum in Brainerd
Tyron Hills' Planters in Brainerd
St. Christopher's Catholic Church in Nisswa
Gardens at American Legion in Nisswa
Pine Grove Cemetery - a pioneer cemetery in St. Mathias Township
Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd
Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd
Crow Wing County Campus - Historical Society's Museum
