The Loring Greenway Association

The Loring Greenway is a heavily used Minneapolis pedestrian walkway between the lower end of Nicollet Mall and the residential neighborhoods that surround Loring Park. It is a product of Minneapolis' mid-twentieth century urban renewal that began in the late 1950s and continued into the 1970s. Constructed in an area of Minneapolis in desperate need of renovation, the Loring Greenway was very successful in attracting a variety of residential and commercial developments. As such, it reflects important post-World War II community planning and development trends.

Together with Peavey Plaza, the Loring Greenway is an effort to connect the system of parks and boulevards known as the Grand Rounds. The Loring Greenway is an example of the modern style of urban plaza design that represented a new urban park aesthetic. Both the Loring Greenway and Peavey Plaza were designed by noted landscape architect M. Paul Friedberg. The defining features of their design includes multiple levels, the use of concrete to create hard spaces, water features, sculptures, a playground, lawns and plantings.

But nothing lasts forever. By the turn of the millennia, many aspects of the Loring Greenway were showing their age. Many walkway tiles were cracked or patched with unsightly asphalt, many plantings had died and were not replaced, and its architectural and artistic effects were looking run-down. Something had to be done or the Loring Greenway would soon become a liability to both the city and its neighborhood.

For many years residents worked on Greenway improvements as a committee of the Citizens for a Loring Park Community (CLPC), a neighborhood organization. Using a Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) Phase I grant of $60,000 dollars, a new playground was constructed and lighting was improved to make the Greenway safer at night. The committee also sought to repair the Greenway's crumbling walkways and to renew its plantings and fountains. Much of this was accomplished during the summers of 2007 and 2008, at a cost to the city of over $2.8 million. But clearly, much more effort and money would be required to enhance and maintain the Greenway over the coming years.

Meanwhile, the city of Minneapolis began to experience severe financial problems and continues to do so today. While the city is able to pay for the basic upkeep of the Loring Greenway, there were important questions that needed to be answered. Who would buy and plant the hundreds of flowering plants that have made the Greenway so attractive in past years? Who would see to the weeding of its plantings? Who would push for its enhancement through better lighting and art works? And who would coordinate the neighborhood events envisioned for the Greenway, such as dog parades, garage sales, art fairs and performances?

To answer these questions, the original citizens group, with the help of City Council Member Lisa Goodman, evolved into The Loring Greenway Association (LGA), a partnership with the city with a goal of making the Greenway one of the premier pedestrian walkways in the nation. The LGA consists of a board of directors who represent the major commercial and residential properties in the area plus an active group of volunteers. City officials regularly work with the LGA to formulate and achieve various goals.

During the months in which the Loring Greenway Association was being formed, its finances were managed under the auspices of the CLPC, but now the LGA has independent status as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. This means that the contributions it receives are tax-deductible.

In 2009 and 2010, as the result of its fund raising activities and hundreds of hours of volunteer time, the LGA was able to plant thousands of flowering plants. It is also funding the treatment of the Greenway's many ash trees to save them from the Emerald Ash Borer beetle. This website was another accomplishment; its goal is to help the LGA to build and maintain a community of volunteers focused on the Loring Greenway.

2010 was another busy year for the LGA. In addition to continued active participation by volunteers in gardening activities, two events on the Loring Greenway were sponsored by the LGA: a dog parade on National Night Out and a Fall Oktoberfest featuring food, music and games. Both events were well attended. There were also several informal evenings of croquet.

In 2010, the LGA received awards from the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District and Metro Blooms "honoring "the volunteers of the Loring Greenway Association for their creative and tireless efforts in transforming the Loring Greenway into one of the most beautiful walkways in the City."