Horton Park, a small three-acre space located just down the street from Hamline University, hosts not only green space and inspiring artwork but also a miniature arboretum.
The origins of the arboretum itself stem from the company Travelers Insurance (previously known as St. Paul Companies)which celebrated its 125th anniversary by collaborating with the city’s Parks Department to create this mini arboretum. The goal in mind for its creation was that the arboretum would work to educate various residents about trees that had replaced the street trees lost to Dutch Elm disease in 1978.
The city’s architect, Bill Pesek, selected over 33 tree species and wanted to design something that would live up to the city’s expectations of a grand tree revival post-Dutch Elm disease wipeout.
Unfortunately, the arboretum has dwindled since its creation. Most of the reason behind the tree population cutting down by well over half was from the ash trees being at risk of exposure to emerald ash borer in 2012.
Tracy Kugler, author of “Horton Park is [a] focal point for [the] community” from The Bugle (when asked about the arboretum said… or whatever – credit her more) “Made of living trees, the arboretum is dynamic. Of the 174 trees planted, only 58 remain today. Some plaques still accurately identify trees; others stand alone or next to different trees.” said
Luckily, the Friends School, a progressive Quaker school right across from Horton Park, was quick to take action when this threat reared its head.
“Urban forester Karl Mueller remembers: ‘Students at the Friends School were upset when they saw the red paint ringing tree trunks and reached out to the Parks Department. So, we organized an Arbor Day planting with the school’” Kugler said.
Through the first and a majorly successful Arbor Day planting initiative, the group planted 60 new trees of 24 varieties, many native to Minnesota. They continue to host Arbor Day events to celebrate nature and the beautiful environment of the park.
However, it is certainly not just the Friends School that has worked to preserve the natural beauty and ecosystem of this historical arboretum. This space is also maintained by volunteers from the Hamline-Midway community who aim to preserve the special plants within its borders. This mission even goes beyond plant conservation,
“The most striking thing, though, is that the focus on ecology, on gardening in public space and the evolving reliance residents are gaining on the food they’re able to grow themselves, is the sense of community and connection these things develop in each other. While there may be ecological benefits, the community gardeners say that what they’re most interested in is the kind of community this work creates” the author of “Horton Park Arboretum & City Herbarium” Central Corridor Public Art Plan said.
Deeper than “just” plants, the arboretum represents the deep importance of community and how it can stem from a cared-for cause that leads to wonderful fruits of labor.
Thanks to the Friends School and various community volunteers, there are still many older trees that have had the chance to mature and have stayed alive and healthy to accompany the newly planted ones.
“Most of the trees, planted in 1978, have matured and you can find over 60 species of trees, a native oak savanna and prairie gardens on the grounds.” said Joy Peters, author of “Horton Park and Arboretum, Saint Paul” from Family Fun Twin Cities.
Accompanying the magnificent display of these towering and sprawling trees, in particular, comes informational signs next to each species about the name and history of the tree, revolving around how it fits into Minnesota’s past. This allows for ultimate exploration and education of the importance of the park’s mission and the significance of its existence in the Hamline-Midway.
A passion project through and through, the Horton Park Arboretum is a symbol of the Midway Community’s resilience and represents what the care, dedication and uniting of a community can do for history and environmental preservation.
