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Daylighting Phalen Creek
Our organization started as an effort by Friends of Swede Hollow after members of the community began to learn about the history of the creek and surrounding neighborhoods. In 1997, Lower Phalen Creek Project came to fruition with the intent to educate and advocate for Phalen Creek. In 2011, LPCP gained 501c3 status as a non-profit, and in 2019, a feasibility study was completed with Inter-Fluve, Inc detailing a path to daylight the creek.
Waḳaƞ Ṭípi Awaƞyaƞkapi (WTA) is restoring the creek by “daylighting” or bringing it back above ground (see map of proposed creek corridor below). Given current development and climate conditions, there isn’t enough room to bring the creek system back to the surface as a continuous corridor. Currently, it is projected that some portions of the creek will have to be piped due to conflicts with existing infrastructure, slopes, etc. However, the goal is to daylight as much of the creek length as possible. The current pipe will remain in place to carry high flows and stormwater runoff.
Our goal is to restore native aquatic, riparian, and upland ecosystems and habitats along the corridor and plan to incorporate public access and recreation opportunities. Currently, we are focusing on the first two reaches (Phase 1) are being designed, and planning work has been initiated for the next two reaches downstream (Reaches 5&6). The stream banks would be restored and stabilized, native ecosystems such as riparian and upland prairie habitat will be restored along the corridor, and public access amenities, such as a trail, mowed gathering spaces, benches or other seating are also possible.
Our organization has been committed to community engagement throughout the daylighting project process. Early community engagement focused on educating the public on the history of the creek and the idea of daylighting the creek. During the Swede Hollow Master Plan outreach, our organization helped conduct community surveys on the community’s interest in daylighting the creek. Other community events such as Flower Power and Go with the Flow! brought community together in different ways to learn and show support for the creek.
Daylighting Phase 1 Timeline
Current Design of Phase 1
Check out the renderings that our partners at Damon Farber created - let us know what you would like to see in the creek design by filling out this survey! LINK TO SURVEY
Click here to see the 60% design renderings for Phase 1 of the daylighting project
Current Phase 1 site conditions
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Phalen Creek historically flowed out of the south end of Lake Phalen, meandering through what is now the East Side of St. Paul for approximately four miles, flowing through Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, and emptying into the Mississippi River near Wakan Tipi cave. This creek served as a corridor for the Dakota people who lived here, traveling from the Wakpa Tanka (Mississippi River) up the chain of lakes by canoe to Bde Mato Ska (White Bear Lake) - one of many areas where they gathered psin (wild rice). This waterway also nurtured newly immigrated Swedish, Italian, Polish, and Mexican communities who made their homes in Swede Hollow.
By the 1930’s, the creek was directed into a large underground storm pipe to make way for housing and other development. As a result, riparian, wetland, and aquatic habitat were lost, along with adjacent upland prairie and oak savanna habitats. With the loss of habitat came the loss of many traditional food sources and medicinal plants, as well as wildlife including pollinators, migratory birds and wetland species.
Canoeing Phalen Creek, Approx 1910 - Minnesota Historical Society
Phalen Creek pipe, July 1936 - Minnesota Historical Society
Funders
Funding for this project was provided from the Outdoor Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature and recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) to restore, protect, and enhance Minnesota's wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife.
We have also received funding from the McNeely Foundation, Mortenson Family Foundation, Margaret A Cargill Philanthropies, Marbrook Foundation, Stantec, Bass Pro Shops, Public Lands, and the Cottonwood Foundation.
If you would like to connect with us regarding the funding for this project, please contact Katie Gamades, Director of Development and Communications at kgamades@wakantipi.org
Partners
Why Daylight?
· To reconnect with water and nature
· To bring back natural ecosystems and habitats for:
o Aquatic wildlife
o Semiaquatic wildlife
o Migratory birds
o Pollinators and insects
We Want it Back: Flower Power @ Phalen Creek event held in partnership with Oyate Hotanin on September 5, 2020
· To reconnect with medicinal plants and traditional foods
· For environmental, cultural and historical interpretation and education
· To promote community and environmental stewardship
· For localized stormwater and water quality management
Phalen Creek in the News
Pioneer Press 7/19/26 “3M funds to help pay for Phalen Creek daylighting, Mississippi Dunes park”
