Volunteers remove invasive species to help native species thrive in Riverside Park.

Join the Mississippi River Gorge Stewards at Riverside Park, a significant riverfront, community park in Minneapolis's Cedar-Riverside neighborhood (and part of Seward, as well).

Working alongside ecologist Carolyn Carr, who developed this park's restoration plan, and FMR River Stewardship Coordinator Karen Solas, volunteers will help improve local wildlife habitat and watershed health, removing invasive species (such as buckthorn) and possibly assisting with watering and other restoration tasks. The range of activities will be suitable for adults and for youth and everyone is encouraged to work at their own pace and abililty level.

Riverside Park, located on the west-bank bluffs of the Mississippi River just north of I-94, appears at first glance to be a quiet, typical neighborhood park. Given a closer look, though, the park reveals complex layers of historical and natural interest. The 40-acre park is actually one of the oldest in the city. It is located on two levels, with the steep, wooded river bluff and its WPA-era stone stairs and walls separating the upper and lower areas.

Last year, FMR partnered with the West Bank Community Coalition and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to begin the ecological restoration of special places within the park, making it the newest restoration site for the River Gorge Stewards. Many people from the neighborhood and from throughout the Mississippi River Gorge have turned out to help remove invasive species then replant areas with native grasses, flowers and small shrubs. Although this event is just two hours in length, volunteers can rest assured their work is part of a larger, long-term restoration and will be built upon at future events. VIew photos from this and other FMR events at our Flickr site.

Ready to register?

Sorry, but this event has reached capacity and registration is no longer being taken. At this time, we especially need volunteers for the October 29th Pine Bend restoration and there are still a few spots in the October 22nd maple-basswood restoration.

Note: If you are with CG, a spot has been reserved for you but you do need to contact FMR Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator sue rich right away, at srich[@]fmr.org, or by selecting "Volunteering" in the drop-down "Category" menu of our contact form. Please include: the name of the event, your name, address and phone number in your message. You will receive a confirmation email and additional details.