Methodist Hospital aerial photo

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.

At a Glance

  • St. Louis Park
  • Minnehaha Creek Subwatershed
  • Status: Complete
  • 2009

MCWD Staff Contact

Josh Wolf

jwolf@minnehahacreek.org

952-641-4588

Supporting Materials

Methodist Hospital Re-meander Fact Sheet

Informational handout from a guided tour

Project Cost

$1,092,328

Project Updates

SPRING 2024

MCWD’s vegetation management contractor removed invasive and diseased vegetation, including ash, boxelder, and buckthorn trees, from the wetland’s north side in February. Additionally, Great River Greening will be re-planting native tree and shrub species this spring.

Project Timeline

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Planning Phase

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Planning Phase

2005 — Planning phase begins

2006 — Planning phase ends

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Design Phase

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Design Phase

2007 — Design phase begins

2008 — Design phase ends

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Construction Phase

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Construction Phase

2008 — Construction begins

2009 — Construction ends

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Project completion

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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

What we once considered a nuisance is now our greatest asset. Having a healthy stream and wetland incorporated into our Methodist Hospital campus differentiates us from other health care facilities. This place of healing now promotes well-being inside and outside of its walls. We are thrilled with the results we’ve achieved by working with the watershed district.

— Duane Spiegle, Vice President of Real Estate and Support Services, Park Nicollet Health Services

Our medical staff believes that this enhanced contact with nature promotes a health environment that in the long run will lead to better patient outcomes.

— Robert Riesselman, Director of Engineering, Methodist Hospital

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.

HealthPartners Park Nicollet logo
St. Louis Park, MN logo

Funding

Project Cost: $1,092,328

The Minnehaha Creek Methodist Hospital Re-meander Project’s construction costs were shared between Park Nicollet and MCWD.