Visitor Information
Visitor Information
Planning a trip to Swede Hollow Park? Visit the Swede Hollow Park webpage:
Completed Projects
Completed Projects
Swede Hollow Bluff Design
Swede Hollow Park Bluff Design/Woodland Garden Project
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Swede Hollow Park Bluff Design/Woodland Garden Overview
The Swede Hollow Park Bluff Design and Woodland Garden project is part of the Swede Hollow Master Plan completed in September 2019. The project will include a schematic design of the entire eastern bluff including circulation routes, nature-based play area, and the woodland garden. The project will also advance construction documents of the woodland garden for construction in summer/fall 2023.
Funding has been secured through the Parks Conservancy, Hardenbergh Foundation, and Saint Paul Garden Club.
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Tentative Project Schedule
Nov-Dec 2022: Project Start, Schematic Design (Visioning, Concepts)
Jan-Mar 2023: Design Development
April 2023: Community Engagement
May 2023: Construction Documents (Woodland Garden only)
June 2023: Construction Quotes
Summer 2023: Construction (demo, pathways, plant bed prep)
Fall 2023: Planting -
Project Updates
April 26, 2023 6-7:30 p.m.
Together with members of the public, the City of Saint Paul Department of Parks and Recreation and the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy have created a vision for the Swede Hollow Woodland Garden at 665 Greenbrier Street. Join us for an in-person meeting Wednesday April 26th from 6-7:30 p.m. at the East Side Enterprise Center (804 Margaret St)! City staff will discuss the project goals, process, site layout, planting design and next steps. Also at the meeting, staff will provide an update on the upper bluff concept (east side) and the
Swede Hollow Creek Enhancement Feasibility Study. Funding was secured through the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy, the Hardenbergh Foundation and the Saint Paul Garden Club.
October 2023
A Design Advisory Committee has been formed, which includes representatives from the Lower Phalen Creek Project, the Conservancy, Friends of Swede Hollow, Metropolitan State University, Hope Community Academy, the St Paul Garden Club, the U of M Master Naturalist Program, the McNeely Foundation, and Urban Roots, as well as at-large community members.
September 2022: Call for members on the Swede Hollow Bluff Design Advisory Committee
Public engagement opportunity! Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is looking for 1-2 dedicated residents to join the Swede Hollow Bluff Design Advisory Committee. Contact brett.hussong@ci.stpaul.mn.us for more information. See below for expectations.
The role of the Community Advisory Committee:
- Help to determine the community needs and desires for the site
- Action item- communicate with group(s) you are representing and solicit input
- Review plan concepts and provide input on major design elements and themes
- Contribute constructive and respectful suggestions and feedback
- Bring suggestions from community, stakeholders, and respective organizations to the attention of the project team
- Communicate via email and/or at meetings
- Help communicate project progress to community members
- Act as the liaison between project and community
- Provide guidance to City staff on final design recommendations for the project
- Actively contribute through discussion at committee meetings
- Ensure that the full range of issues are discussed during the design process
Expectations for Committee members include:
- Represent and communicate the community needs and desires for the site
- Respect for different perspectives
- Courtesy of one another
- Contribute in a positive way
- Attend three to four meetings or send a representative
- Help to determine the community needs and desires for the site
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Project Manager:
Brett Hussong
Saint Paul Parks & Recreation
Brett.Hussong@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Ph: (651) 266-6420Park Address:
665 Greenbrier Street
Swede Hollow Master Plan
Swede Hollow Park Master Plan
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Swede Hollow Park Master Plan Approved
The Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Commission approved the Swede Hollow Park Master Plan in September 2019. Thank you for participating in the master planning process!
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Master Plan Project Overview
Swede Hollow Park is a 25 acre neighborhood park in the City of Saint Paul in the Dayton’s Bluff district. The park provides a natural corridor in an urban setting surrounded by successional and mature trees and vegetation. There are currently biking and hiking trails with benches throughout the park. Existing access points include the ramp/tunnel near Hope Academy, the stairs by the parking lot on Greenbrier Street, and the recent developed parking near the trailhead at East 7th Street and Payne Ave. The Bruce Vento Regional Trail connects to Swede Hollow Park at the parking lot.
The purpose of the Swede Hollow Park Master Plan is to produce a strategically focused plan informed by the landscape and community desires. Priority is given to addressing park access, increasing visibility and security through design, natural resource management, and options to daylight additional segments of Phalen Creek, and historical and cultural interpretation and management.
Funding has been secured through the McNeely Foundation for developing a master plan document.Background Information
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Community Engagement Process
Lower Phalen Creek Project has completed the community engagement report. Here is the report for your review.
Lower Phalen Creek Project led a Hmong focus group about Swede Hollow Park master plan. Here are the feedback and comments from the focus group.
Community Engagement Schedule
Community Engagement (Lower Phalen Creek Project): October 2018 - June 2019
Site Visit 1: Park Tour, Monday, October 29, 2018, 5:00-6:30 PM. Meet in parking lot of HOPE Academy, 720 Payne Ave, St. Paul, MN 55130.
Site Visit 2: Winter Park Tour: Swede Hollow Park Immigrants & History, Saturday, February 23, 2019, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Meet at Drewry Tunnel Entrance to Swede Hollow Park and dress warm as we will be outside. Lower Phalen Creek Project will be providing light refreshments after the tour.
Site Visit 3: Spring Park Tour: Swede Hollow Park Dakota Culture & History, Saturday, March 23, 2019, 10:30 AM- 12:00 PM. Meet at Drewry Tunnel Entrance to Swede Hollow Park. Dress accordingly for the outdoors. Lower Phalen Creek Project will be providing light refreshments after the tour.
Community Meeting 1: Swede Hollow Park Master Plan Goals & Priorities - Wednesday, April 24 2019, 5:30-7:00 PM at HOPE Academy - Cafeteria, 720 Payne Ave, St. Paul, MN 55130. Lower Phalen Creek Project will be providing refreshments.
- Meeting 1 Presentation (large file)
- Meeting 1 Notes
Community Meeting 2: Preliminary Concepts - Wednesday, May 22, 2019, 5:30-7:00 PM at HOPE Academy - Cafeteria, 720 Payne Ave, St. Paul, MN 55130. Lower Phalen Creek Project will be providing refreshments.
- Meeting 2 Presentation (large file)
- Meeting 2 Notes
Community Meeting 3: Art in the Hollow, June 1, 2019
- Swede Hollow Park Master Plan Boards (minor changes, similar to meeting 2 presentation)
- Art in the Hollow Comments
Community Meeting 4: Refined Concept - Tuesday, July 23, 2019, 6:30 PM, Arlington Hills Community Center, 1200 Payne Ave, St. Paul, MN 55130.
- Meeting 4 Presentation (large file)
- Meeting 4 Notes
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting: Thursday, September 12, 2019 from 6:50-7:25pm at the Wellstone Community Center, 179 Robie St. E
- Swede Hollow Park Preferred Final Master Plan (revised - large file)
Transportation Meeting: Monday, September 23, 4:30-6:00pm
Swede Hollow Signage
Swede Hollow Park Signage Project
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Swede Hollow Park Signage: Now Complete
The Swede Hollow Park Signage Project is now complete. All interpretive signs have been installed. There will be a site dedication event on Sept. 23, 2022 from 5-7pm hosted by Saint Paul Parks Conservancy. Please register here for the event.
Project Overview
The Swede Hollow Park Master Plan was approved in September 2019. As funding opportunities become available through grant options and partnerships, the Department of Parks and Recreation will implement projects as identified in the master plan. The Swede Hollow Park Signage project will include developing and installing interpretive signs, park maps, and neighborhood park signs.
Funding has been secured through the Parks Conservancy Hardenbergh Grant, Lower Phalen Creek Project through a grant from the Bush Foundation and PED Commercial Vitality Zone funding.
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Tentative Project Schedule
May 2021: Concept Plan (Research, Content Ideas, Potential Graphics)
May - June 2021: Sign Design Drafts
June 2021: Community Engagement
June - July 2021: Revise Sign Drafts
August 2021: Final Sign Design
September 2021: Bidding
Oct - Nov 2021: Sign Fabrication
Summer 2022: Installation -
Signage Project Updates
September 13, 2022
All interpretive signs have been installed! There will be a site dedication event on Sept 23 between 5-7pm hosted by Saint Paul Parks Conservancy. Please register here for the event.
June 27, 2022
The contractor has completed excavation for the sign footings. Concrete is scheduled for this weeks pending weather, and the signs will be installed shortly after. The trails will remain open at all times.
April 29, 2022
Parks and Recreation has secured Albrecht Enterprises LLC to install the interpretive, park name and location map signs. The locations have been marked onsite with white spray paint and flags. Installation is anticipated for spring 2022.
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Swede Hollow Sign Location.pdf (2.81 MB)
August 3, 2021 Interpretation BoardsParks and Recreation hosted an open house in June to review the Swede Hollow Park Interpretive Boards. The boards were based upon comments received during the engagement period and the narratives were vetted by subject matter experts, historians, and professionals.
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June 29, 2021 Open House -