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Cottage Grove parks staff and volunteers honored: Green Garden winners named and MRPA gives two Awards of Excellence
Summary
Cottage Grove’s Parks and Recreation department presented the 2025 Green Garden Awards and accepted two Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Awards of Excellence for Glacial Valley Park building and a rapidly growing pickleball program; the city council also proclaimed July 2025 Parks and Recreation Month.
COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. — The Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Department on July 16 announced its 2025 Green Garden Award winners and accepted two statewide awards, while the City Council proclaimed July 2025 as Parks and Recreation Month.
Horticulturist Cole Holmes and two interns presented the 14th annual Green Garden Awards. Judges named Jan (last name not provided at the podium) the residential winner for a shade‑adapted garden featuring labeled hosta varieties and mosaic steps, and Steven Redbird the sustainability winner for a no‑mow wildflower planting that staff described as attracting “a lot of pollinators.” Holmes recommended Jan for the residential award and Steven for sustainability.
Parks and Recreation Director Zach Doctor introduced Nicole Greenwell of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association, who presented the MRPA Awards of Excellence to Cottage Grove for two separate achievements: an award in the park facility category for the Glacial Valley Park building and an award in the programming category for the city’s pickleball program. Greenwell said the MRPA recognizes projects implemented or substantially revised in 2024; she described Glacial Valley Park’s building as featuring keyless entry, solar power and eco‑friendly design and said the pickleball program grew from a roughly 30‑member volunteer group to more than 230 engaged players in a year, adding teams and lessons.
Councilmember Olson moved to accept a proclamation designating July 2025 as Parks and Recreation Month; Councilmember Thiede seconded and the council approved the proclamation by voice vote. Mayor Myron Bailey signed the proclamation. During council comments the mayor and other council members praised staff and volunteers for park upkeep and programming.
Nicole Greenwell singled out staff members who prepared the MRPA nominations, Brad Muckenhorn and Noah Raynham, and City staff said they would deliver plaques and personally present award materials to the winners.
