District 12

Summer plans for Westgate Commons Park

If you’ve strolled around Westgate Commons Park lately, you might have noticed there’s room to make it an even more welcoming space for neighbors to gather, play and learn.

That’s why the St. Anthony Park Community Council (SAPCC) has applied for a Good Neighbor Fund grant to launch a “Summer Activation Program” in 2025.

This initiative would feature two types of event days, Activity Days and Pop-Up Play and Shade Days, running from May through September.

On Activity Days, the SAPCC Environment Committee plans to lead volunteers in planting native trees, weeding and beautifying the park in the mornings. In the afternoons, the Transportation Committee would team up with a Bike Safety Instructor to offer safety checks, group rides and trail etiquette tips.

On Pop-Up Play and Shade Days, the park would transform into a casual gathering spot—complete with shade structures, lawn games like cornhole and giant Jenga, and free art activities.

The goal is to encourage neighbors to more fully use the park, boost safety along the adjacent bike trail and provide fun, low-key ways to connect to the outdoors.

The grant request for $12,500 would fund a Park Activation coordinator, a bike safety instructor, native plants and basic equipment. If you’d like to learn more or lend a helping hand, keep an eye on District 12’s website or swing by a monthly meeting.

Land Use Committee Imagining Manufacturing Park 2050

In south St. Anthony Park, many of the industrial spaces have served our community for decades. But what could they look like in 25 years?

That’s exactly what the SAPCC Land Use Committee hopes to explore with “Visioning Manufacturing Park 2050,” a design competition proposed for Good Neighbor Fund support. If it is awarded a $10,000 grant, the Land Use Committee will organize a collaboration among local designers, neighbors and partner groups such as Towerside Innovation District, Transition Town and the Creative Enterprise Zone.

These partners will provide expertise on sustainability, urban planning and community outreach—helping guide the competition’s focus on walkability, green infrastructure and future-ready development.

The plan tentatively calls for a public brainstorming session in March, followed by a formal competition launch in April. Participants (from architects to local students) will submit their forward-thinking ideas, and the winning designs—announced on July 4—will be displayed around the neighborhood until October.

“We want to spark fresh thinking,” said Tom Ososki, co-chair of the land use committee. “This is a chance to envision the future of our local manufacturing corridor while keeping design standards, community well-being and the environment in mind.”

Watch District 12’s website for updates on competition guidelines and ways to get involved.

Growing new life on old railroad land

The St. Anthony Park Community garden—an affiliate group of the District 12 Community—is buzzing with plans for a major expansion.

With support from District 12, the Garden recently applied for an urban agriculture grant to reclaim a portion of former railroad land along Robbins Street. If District 12 is awarded the grant, the project will establish a new orchard, install a fence to safely separate active tracks, and plant pollinator-friendly beds to keep the neighborhood’s bees and butterflies thriving.

Leading the effort is longtime gardener Sherman Eagles, who has seen the garden blossom into a vibrant gathering place over the years.

“We’re excited to repurpose this land and add more edible and native plants,” Eagles said.

Backing him up is Bill Anderson, a Minnesota State Horticultural Society volunteer who’s equally invested in bringing sustainable gardening and educational programs to the neighborhood.

“We see this as a chance for folks of all ages to learn new skills,” Anderson said, “and to come together to celebrate the best of St. Anthony Park’s small-town spirit.”

District 12 expects to know if the grant has been awarded by this spring. Meanwhile, community members can look for updates by following the SAPCC website and social media pages or by attending upcoming council meetings.

If you have ideas—or simply want to lend a helping hand—keep an eye out for volunteer days and planning sessions.

District 12 meetings

District 12 encourages neighbors to attend committee meetings, which are held both in-person and online each month. Learn more about the meetings and how to get involved at sapcc.org.

•  District 12 Board: 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 13

•  Transportation: 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25

•  Environment: 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26

•  Equity: 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 27

Submitted by Zev Radziwill, District 12 executive director

Photo cutline: For District 12 planning for Society’s generous gardening’ sustainable. Photo by District 12.