Quinley’s Garden volunteers report $40,000 in private donations; council to review arch footings and sprinkler changes

Volunteers leading Quinley’s Garden told the River Heights City Council on Sept. 2 that private fundraising has raised roughly $40,000 for park features and memorials, and they asked the council to approve limited city work to accommodate donated structures.

Chelsea, a volunteer co‑organizer, said memorial features installed to date — including the butterfly garden and memorial trees — were paid for with private donations and have not used taxpayer dollars. “All of the memorial features have not cost the city anything,” she told the council, noting private donations and plant donations offset costs.

Chelsea said she has paid $10,000 as a partial deposit to Bare Welding toward metal arches and a gazebo. The arches will require concrete footings; proposals discussed during the meeting referenced footings roughly 2 by 3 feet for each arch or, in one drawing, a 10-by-6-by-4-inch detail for ground-mounted embedments. Volunteers asked staff for direction on whether the arch legs should be embedded in the sidewalk or placed just off the sidewalk; placing them inside the sidewalk would avoid moving sprinkler lines, while outside installation would require relocating irrigation lines.

Council members and staff agreed volunteers and public works staff should meet to settle the details. Mayor Blake Wright and public works director Clayton Nilsen Eyre said the city would look at structural requirements, plow access and long-term maintenance before approving installation. Chelsea asked that the city post signage noting features are privately funded; council members agreed that labeling would help clarify to residents that the city did not pay for the donated elements.

Volunteers also asked whether plaques and donated benches could be sited along the path; staff said locations would be considered on a case-by-case basis to avoid irrigation conflicts and reduce maintenance burden. Chelsea and Dixon offered to coordinate with city staff; Clayton and council members said they would meet with them before the next council meeting so work could proceed before winter if possible.

Fundraising updates: Chelsea said current Quinley’s Garden funds total about $40,000 and that the group hopes to continue an annual one‑mile fundraiser tied to Apple Days. The council did not commit city funds for the features but agreed to review footing and irrigation plans and to meet with volunteers to finalize installation details.