Mark Granlund was promoted to Arts and Gardens Coordinator for Parks and Recreation to oversee maintenance and development of gardening activities. These projects were made possible by the support of the mayor through a State Tax Revitalization (STAR) grant awarded to the Saint Paul Garden Club. The medians along Kellogg Boulevard were planted and raised beds and urns at City Hall were improved and expanded.

The years of 2003-2004 saw many changes in the beautification of downtown. Capital City Partnership increased their number of hanging baskets to 296. Plans were reviewed by the Saint Paul Garden Club as funding partner and 2003 STAR grant author/awardee. The design was created by Mark Madsen of Bachmann’s in partnership with Tim Agness and Jody Martinez of Park and Recreation’s Design Section. Plans were drawn up with the inclusion of ground beds, 11 urns and irrigation throughout. It was determined, as an initial planting and a statement by the city as to its commitment to the beautification of downtown, to plant the medians on Kellogg Boulevard between the Robert Street and Wabasha Street bridges. Both Mayor Kelly and Bierscheid were aware of what had been done in Chicago and saw the benefits of beautifying downtown Saint Paul. In 2002, the efforts to beautify downtown were greatly increased with the election of Mayor Randy Kelly and the subsequent appointment of a new Director of Parks and Recreation, Bob Bierscheid. Capital City Partnership increased their total number of baskets to 244. Betsy Kelly and the Saint Paul Garden Club were working hard to promote the project.

Both men were key people in the development of the Grow Chicago program.Ĭapital City Partnership increased their number of baskets to 194.ĭespite the building excitement to beautify Saint Paul, the 2001 season saw slow development of the project. The guest speakers at the meeting were landscape architect Douglas Hoerr and Chief of Staff for the Chicago Park District Drew Becher. In April 2000, the Saint Paul Garden Club set up a meeting at the Landmark Center with the support of Mayor Norm Coleman. She approached the city of Saint Paul about transforming downtown with plantings, baskets and urns. Betsy Kelly, a Saint Paul Garden Club member, came home from that meeting inspired by what she experienced in Chicago. This was done in partnership with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, which provided the daily watering of the baskets In June 1999, members of the Saint Paul Garden Club traveled to Chicago for a gardening conference and witnessed the gardening and beautification happening under Mayor Daley’s leadership. In the summer of 1999, Capital City Partnership and the Rice Park Association combined to purchase 108 baskets to hang on the decorative lamp posts downtown. Around that same time, the Rice Park Association wanted to start their own hanging basket program for Rice Park pioneered by Saint Paul Hotel General Manager, Bill Morrissey, his assistant, Janet Yoswa and local businessman, Brian Braden. He thought this would be a nice addition to downtown Saint Paul.

In 1998, Capital City Partnership President John Labosky had seen beautiful hanging baskets in downtown Red Wing, Minnesota. Keep reading to learn more about how Blooming Saint Paul has evolved over time. Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunityīlooming Saint Paul's beautification efforts have reach over 120 sites with almost 600 hanging baskets and more than 8.5 acres of garden beds cared for by city staff and volunteer gardeners.Ward 1 - Councilmember Balenger (Interim).

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