Poolside Pollinator Garden

Van Cleve Park — next to the wading pool maintenance shed

The Poolside Pollinator Garden was created through a partnership between the Southeast Como Improvement Association (SECIA), local volunteers, and community partners to expand pollinator habitat in Van Cleve Park.

Located beside the park’s wading pool maintenance shed, the garden was designed with native plants that provide nectar, shelter, and seasonal color for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Building the Garden Together

A partnership with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board established a Stewardship Agreement to ensure the garden’s long-term care and maintenance. Grant funding provided the materials needed to build and plant the space.

In June 2023, volunteers and community members gathered for a groundbreaking event to remove sod and prepare the site. Additional volunteer days throughout July, August, and September 2023 focused on planting hardy native perennials and helping the garden take root.

Today, the Poolside Pollinator Garden is part of the neighborhood’s regular volunteer schedule, continuing to grow and thrive with ongoing care from the community.