By Gwen Willems
Ever notice that charming white gazebo circled by a garden in the small triangular park at the corner of Gibbs and Brewster avenues, just a block from Como Avenue?
The Alden Square Park has been nurtured for 30 years by a neighborhood organization called the Neighbors of Alden Square, which has helped care for and maintain the space over time.
In addition to the gazebo, this half-acre child-friendly park offers flower beds and trees, two Little Free Libraries, six picnic tables and several benches scattered throughout the space.
Many events happen at the park: birthday parties, celebration-of-life ceremonies, concerts, picnics, ice-cream socials, potlucks, Christmas caroling, egg hunts and even weddings. Visitors can also just stroll through the park, make new friends, read a book, enjoy a picnic, toss a baseball around the open grassy area, have a pleasant conversation or meditate.
Who are the Neighbors?
The Neighbors of Alden Square, which has 129 members, was organized in 1996 when residents wanted to get permission from the city to build the accessible gazebo, according to Neighbors organizer Betty Lotterman. Volunteers donated more than 5,000 hours of time to build and finish work on the 21-foot diameter, 10-sided gazebo.
The Neighbors group is now in a time of transition, since several of the founders have passed away and many others are in their 80s.
Carol Mulroy, who has lived on Gibbs Avenue her entire life, was the main organizer for many years along with her sister, Mary Zorn. When she turned 85, Mulroy told Lotterman that she would like to be less involved, and Lotterman agreed to take over all organizing for four years.
Lotterman has enjoyed organizing events at the park. “When we would have a concert on one of our gorgeous summer evenings and I would look at all the people gathered enjoying the event, I felt my effort was very much rewarded,” Lotterman said.
Lotterman told the Bugle, “I believe that volunteer organizations work well when everyone takes turns. So I said I was giving up the job in the hope that others would step forward and offer new ideas.”
Everything in the park has been donated and made by the Neighbors of Alden Square. St. Paul Parks contributes by mowing the grass and picking up yard waste. Together, many volunteers keep the park shipshape, stopping by to weed, trim and rake. When the trees were planted, neighbors watered them.
The gardens, which were completed with contributed plants and labor, have been on the St. Anthony Park Garden Tour twice.
Anna Wagner Schliep arranged a very successful community egg hunt this spring.
Emily Alewine organized a cleanup day on May 9, during which adults and children spruced up the park, moved tables around and added a kid climbing structure. She said, “The space feels light, cared for, and serene. A little oasis in the city. If you haven’t spent some time there, the Neighbors of Alden Square invite you to check it out and recharge!”
This organization has an interesting history. It began in 1920 as the Darning Club, a group of women who got together to do their mending once a week while their kids played.
Among the artifacts that Carol Mulroy, Neighbors’ historian, keeps in her basement is a set of minutes. In it, Villa Tucker reported that about 20 women showed up each week for the Darning Club. They each contributed 5 cents a meeting to buy cards and flowers for baby showers and later bridal showers.
If you are interested in contributing to community building and preserving neighborhood spirit for the future through Alden Square Park, contact Lotterman ([email protected]).
Gwen Willems is a freelance writer for the Park Bugle.