Title
Recognizing the Friends of Mears Park for their dedication and stewardship of Mears Park.
Body
WHEREAS the Friends of Mears Park is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to support the operation, maintenance and beautification of Mears Park; and
WHEREAS the Friends of Mears Park support forty-eight gardeners that tend forty-two garden plots throughout the Park, many of whom spend not only their time but their money creating beautiful beds for the public to enjoy; and
WHEREAS the Friends of Mears Park supply gardeners with equipment, tools, signage, and some spring plantings, supporting up to 7000 volunteer hours annually; and
WHEREAS the Friends of Mears Park pay for and maintain the hanging flower baskets that surround the park and coordinates their plantings with Blooming Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS the Friends of Mears Park partner with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation and meet twice a year to coordinate, plan park projects, and communicate issues related to lawn care, irrigation, vandalism and security; and
WHEREAS the Friends of Mears Park help support a venue that provides concerts, ceremonies, and other public gatherings, including classical music from 9 am to 9 pm for the enjoyment of visitors; and
WHEREAS during the COVID-19 closures of this summer, the Friends of Mears Park supported local restaurants in their neighborhood by sponsoring, along with the Downtown Alliance, local music in Mears Park from July 9th through September 25th, and inviting the community to enjoy a socially-distanced evening with neighbors and friends with great takeout food; and
WHEREAS, with the support of the Lowertown community and the City of Saint Paul, the Friends of Mears Park design, install, and maintain the festive holiday lights that make Mears Park a magical place to visit in the winter; and
WHEREAS, the Friends of Mears Park volunteer their time and talent to bring the entire downtown community together to support and vitalize our public spaces;
WHEREAS in 2020, the Friends of Mears Park organized a live-streaming event for the official holiday lighting for people that could not attend in person due to the pandemic; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the City of Saint Paul thanks the Friends of Mears Park, its leadership and volunteers for the generosity of their time, money and talents that make Mears Park a beautiful place to live and visit