In the spring of 2001, several patrons of Vera's Café were discussing what to do with thinnings from their home gardens. The idea of planting on the Midtown Greenway came to them. From that idea a more elaborate plan was drawn up. Vera's Garden Club was formed.

The Whittier community, the Midtown Greenway Coalition, and the Hennepin Railroad Authority approved the plan. This process took one full year, as there were no guidelines for such a project.

About two thirds of Vera's Garden is located on land owned by the Hennepin County Railroad Authority. George Cook Construction Company owns the other one third. We are very grateful that we have been allowed to use this property!

Planting was started on April 26, 2002, starting with the group of shrubs by the Garfield Ave. Bridge . Some of the shrubs were from the garden of Derric Field, who passed away several years prior to the planting. He had requested planting trees in his memory. Several other ornamental trees and shrubs have been added as memorials. We welcome any donation in memory of loved ones.

The next plantings were by the Lyndale Ave. Bridge . As boulders became available from the Minneapolis Sewer department and a ton that was purchased, the hardscape started taking shape. More boulders were obtained from an employee of George Cook Construction. It wasn't until May that we heard about Minnesota Green and joined. Most plants in the garden have been obtained through generous donations from places listed on the back.

We also made a wonderful friend in Diane Latham, who collected and planted 350 iris and other plants. She also arranged for us to obtain the leftover plants from the Washington County Horticulture Society's spring and fall plant sales in 2003. The shade garden area, under the trees on the east end of the block was added to accommodate shade plants obtained in these donations.

The garden has expanded from the original plan and had a great addition the spring of 2003 when the Minnesota Tree Trust planted the grove of River Birch in the middle of the block.

A large 'klinker' from the old steam engines was added as a focal point in one of the flower beds.

The northwest corner of the garden was completed when a donation of fieldstone was obtained from a neighbor. An entrance from Lyndale Ave. was added in the spring of 2004. We received another wonderful donation in 2004, of a bench, a butterfly garden, and several native shade plants for under the River Birch. Part of the wild flower garden was also planted at that time - it will be completed when a supply area is no longer needed.

A small holding garden, bike rack, and more seating, have been added in 2005. The holding garden is for plants that are donated that we can not use, but are saving for use in other projects on the Greenway. We also received a large donation of boulders and perennials from a neighbor.

Since the beginning of the garden, about 20 people from around the city have helped with the construction. Many others have made donations. We still can use volunteers to help keep up the garden.

We work on the garden Saturdays at 9 AM. Anyone wishing to help can show up at that time . If you would like to help, but can not work on Saturdays, please contact Donovan Harmel at 612-827-5163 to make other arrangements.

We welcome donations of plants as well as gardening tools and supplies. We can also use financial donations to purchase ornamental shrubs, trees, and to cover utilities. We also hope to locate and purchase ornate parts of destroyed buildings to use as additional seating.

The garden is dedicated to Vera Register, Wayne Butzer's (proprietor of Vera's Café) grandmother. Some of the first plants planted originated in her garden. Because of this, and that the plan originated with the Café's customers, the Greenway Coalition named the area 'Vera's Garden'.

Watch for Vera's Garden Club's expansion between Colfax Ave. So. and Fremont Ave. So. in 2006.