Diverter Rain Garden

15th Avenue SE & Talmage Avenue SE

Completed in 2020, the Diverter Rain Garden transformed a former traffic diverter into a vibrant neighborhood landscape that filters and absorbs thousands of gallons of stormwater each year.

What was once an overgrown and underused space is now a functional rain garden that helps protect local waterways while beautifying the neighborhood.

How the Project Began

In the 1970s, the City installed bermed traffic diverters throughout Southeast Como to reduce cut-through traffic. Over time, these spaces became difficult to maintain and gradually fell into disrepair.

In 2016, the SECIA Livability Committee began exploring ways to revitalize the diverters but struggled to find a sustainable path forward. A breakthrough came when Professor Gary Johnson’s Urban Forestry Capstone class studied the sites and recommended transforming them into rain gardens.

This idea sparked a community effort. A steering committee formed, and SECIA secured a Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) mini-grant to begin planning the pilot project. Metro Blooms developed the rain garden design, and community meetings helped build neighborhood support.

By 2019, an MWMO Action Grant—along with contributions from Minneapolis Public Works, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, and local donors—made construction possible. By spring 2020, the transformation was complete.

Project Partners

This project was made possible through the collaboration and support of:

  • Mississippi Watershed Management Organization — grant funding

  • Minneapolis Public Works — infrastructure support

  • Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board — site clearing and a swamp white oak tree

  • Metro Blooms — rain garden design and landscaping expertise

Today, the Diverter Rain Garden stands as a model of how community partnerships can turn overlooked infrastructure into beautiful, environmentally beneficial spaces.

2026 Stewardship Season

We are meeting at 15th Avenue SE and Talmage Avenue SE once a month, at 6 pm:

  • Wednesday, May 20, 2026

  • Wednesday, June 17, 2026

  • Wednesday, July 22, 2026

  • Wednesday, August 19, 2026

  • Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Please see our calendar for additional information.