Children's Hospital

New emergency "wing?'

We can see scars from what seems like the endless recession all over the twin cities.  There are vacant buildings and store fronts and there still seems to be plenty of vacant office space around town.

This hospital campus between 35E and west 7th has been growing like crazy.  I will assume that the complex creates a lot of jobs too.  Got health insurance? 

Robert Street Bridge

Downtown

This parkland is on the South side of the Mississippi River and is accesible along Filmore street which is the eastern stretch of water street.  I rarely see people in this park it could be because it is behind some office buildings.  You can find it by taking a right at the end of the Robert street bridge.  The park is connected to Raspberry Island. 

LRT Construction - University Ave at Dale looking East

Dale and University - North corner - LRT Construction

I probably already have the largest collection of light rail central corridor construction photos.  I plant to keep taking and hope that there will be a use for them some day.   I will admit that it is hard to stay away.  I worked for Metro transit for almost a decade and I think that is why I have more than a passing interest in public transportation.   

There is plenty of parking behind the restaurants that make up the five block area of the Little Mekong neighborhood East of Dale.  It is a good time to dine out early and often as these eateries have the best Asian food in the twin cities. 

The shops at Unidale are open and the large parking lot can be accessed from University avenue or Aurora Avenue which runs parallel  to University and is one block South. 

From this week to the end of the month is the perfect time to start a vegtable garden.  Gardening is a great hobby and popular too. It is nice to grow fresh vegetables and I can grow an impressive amount of produce on my postage stamp sized city lot.  Gardening is like real estate in that it is local. If you are new to gardening here are some local resources that I think you will like.

The university of Minnesota extension and they have classes too.  The site is worth exploring it has a lot of information about plant care and can help with identifying weeds.   Gardening can be social and here is a local site called Garden Guides where other gardeners hang out. Who knows they may be able to answer questions or give advice and there is a section on urban gardening.  For people interested in community gardens see Gardening Matters there are community gardens all over the twin cities.

I learned about a site at yesterdays social media breakfast called plantjotter where gardeners keep online garden journals. For new gardeners that may need advice on plants you can't beat going to the neighborhood garden center. I go to Leitners and they can answer most any question about plants and gardening.  They may be able to help with plant identification too.  If you have are a new home owner and you can not identify a plant ask your mother or a neighbor with a garden for help. 

If you don't want to grow your own veggies or start flowering plants from seeds I highly recommend the St. Paul Farmer's Market.  You can't beat local Minnesota grown food including meat, cheese, honey and those wonderful fresh eggs.

Did you know that landscaping is a home improvement that can give a 1000% return on your investment when it is time to sell?   Maybe something worth looking into this summer. 

Lilydale Park is West of downtown St. Paul and on the other side of the river.  There used to be houses in the little town of Lilydale which is right on the flood plane.   The houses are long gone but you can see parts of foundations and old driveways in the woods.  Some of the flowers in the gardens survived too.

Bike path - Lilydale regional park

The park is heavily wooded but there are paved trails and gravel trails going through the woods.  There are plans to improve the park, the road, and add parking. [see Lilydale Park shelter and roadway design on the City of St. Paul web site before they move the page]

I am not sure where there will be a shelter but I am sure someone will tell me after they read this. 

The park could use some improvements but I worry.  Right now it is wild with native birds and plants and there isn't anything else like it right in the city.  There are gravel paths higher up on the bluff that lead to the old brick factory and Pickerel lake.  

Woods

The lake is a great place for bird watching and wildflower hunting.  There is a citizens task force involved in the planning. . . .but if you have not been through the park this might be a good time to check it out. 

Water Street in Lilydale Minnesota

Wabasha Bridge from Raspberry Island

Ninas - Blair Arcade on Selby and Western

If you are attending the Great River Gathering this evening you will see photographs like these in the program and being projected on screens around the room.  My photography, all pictures of St. Paul will be featured at the event.    I am honored and St. Paul is very photogenic and it is fun to show it off.    If you see me please say hi. 

white man

 Today is national bike to school day so I am going to give St. Paulites some insider tips.   If you bike in downtown St. Paul watch out for the horse droppings in the lower town area.   There are miles and miles of bike paths through out the city.  You can now find many or most of them using Google maps.  Just click the little bike icon when getting directions from one place to another.  It is best to use bike paths when ever possible.  Cars do not understand the white lite with the little man on it or the share the road signs on the roads without bike lanes. 

The city of St. paul web site also has maps of the local bike paths.  I am not sure how to use them and as always and if you are reading this after May 2012 the link will have moved because the city has a full time employee that does nothing but move web pages so that the links get broken.  

Happy biking!