Stevens Square Community Garden

This article by Brenda Harvieux originally appeared in the September/October issue of Northern Gardener.

In Minneapolis, the Stevens Square Community Organization (SSCO) manages the North and South LaSalle Community Gardens, which were started in 1997 and surround The Coyle apartment building at 1801 LaSalle Avenue. “Most of the plants we receive from Minnesota Green are for common areas, plus some herbs, vegetables and annuals,” says Robert Skaffe, Stevens Square garden coordinator. “You feel like a kid in a candy store at plant donations.”

stevens square community garden leader
Robert Skaffe at the Stevens Square Community Garden

The LaSalle gardens have plots for rent, and the gardeners really make them their own with creative uses of found objects, art and structures. “I call them the gardeners’ little magical worlds,” says Robert.

The gardens have a fire pit, a half light structure, a tool shed built by women from the Shakopee Women’s Correctional Facility and plenty of places to sit and relax. “We want people to feel at home,” says Robert, “that’s why the hangout area in the LaSalle South Garden is called the ‘living room.’”

Stevens Square community garden bloom
One of the Stevens Square community gardens in full bloom

Though a developer recently bought part of the North Garden, the garden will remain. “The developer sees the gardens as an asset,” says Robert. “It was a huge relief!”

SSCO also manages the Emily Peake Memorial Garden on Third Avenue and the Overlook Garden, a native habitat that overlooks the Minneapolis skyline. “The idea is to connect Third Avenue to LaSalle to continue the greenway,” says Robert. “People respect the space more when there are gardens, and it makes the neighborhood a friendlier, more beautiful place to live.”

—Brenda Harvieux

4 Comments

  1. Dee Tvedt says:

    It’s so good to see this article, especially the photos, as we mourn the tragic death of Robert Skafte here in Stevens Square-Loring Heights. Unfortunately, we lost the Emily Peake Memorial Garden in 2019. As for the North LaSalle Community Garden, it, too, is gone, taken entirely by the developer; however, some of the space does include raised beds for the use of the building’s tenants.

  2. I would like to buy a popcorn plant, I have looked here in Cathedral City Ca., in the
    Palm Springs area, but nobody has one to buy. If you know of a Gardening Company
    where I may purchase them, please send me an email with the info.
    Thanks for your help
    Larry Birrell

    1. Hi Larry, let’s get you a popcorn plant! Since our niche is USDA Hardiness Zones 3, 4 and 5, we’re not as familiar with California nurseries to recommend, unfortunately. We’ll keep an ear to the ground for any suppliers and let you know if we discover any. Hope you find one!

  3. Oh Wow…such a beautiful picture of Our Friend, Robert…
    I was gathering some information for our Annual Park Stewardship renewal and came across this little showcase of LaSalle Community Garden…he left a Legacy in the Hearts of Stevens Square…

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