Methodist Hospital Re-meander
Overview
When Methodist Hospital approached Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) with a permit application for its new Heart and Vascular Center, both parties recognized opportunities to align goals. This sparked a collaboration between Park Nicollet and MCWD, and the two organizations began to explore how Minnehaha Creek could be celebrated as a focal point of the hospital campus, rather than viewed as a constraint for expansion. Park Nicollet and MCWD collaborated to restore curves to the creek, improving wildlife habitat and flood storage. The hospital complemented the creek restoration with a boardwalk, providing a critical link between environmental and human health.
Research shows that patients recover more quickly when they are able to experience nature. The restoration of the wetland and Minnehaha creek at Methodist Hospital increases the hospital’s connection to the outdoor environment in a beautiful way that goes far beyond the traditional healing garden. This project allowed both MCWD and Park Nicollet to explore the potential of partnership, a critical foundation of MCWD’s approach on the Minnehaha Creek Greenway.
Project Timeline
Planning Phase
Planning Phase
2005 — Planning phase begins
2006 — Planning phase ends
Design Phase
Design Phase
2007 — Design phase begins
2008 — Design phase ends
Construction Phase
Construction Phase
2008 — Construction begins
2009 — Construction ends
Project completion
Project Completion
2009 — Project completed
2024 — Vegetation maintenance was completed, including removal of invasive and diseased trees and re-planting native tree and shrub species
By the Numbers
1460
feet
of streambank restored
4
acres
of wetland restored
10
acres
of greenspace made accessible
Project Highlights
- Improved water quality
- Improved habitat for fish and other wildlife
- Increased public access to the creek via a new boardwalk
- New educational signage
- Increased flood prevention
- New access to greenspace for public health and well-being
Partnership
In 2008, Park Nicollet Health Services, the City of St. Louis Park, and MCWD executed a cooperative funding agreement to formalize roles and responsibilities of each party for the design and construction of the project. The Minnehaha Creek Methodist Hospital Re-meander improved the health of Minnehaha Creek while also providing benefits to Methodist Hospital and its clients.
Funding
Project Cost: $1,092,328
The Minnehaha Creek Methodist Hospital Re-meander Project’s construction costs were shared between Park Nicollet and MCWD.
