By William Zajicek, contributor

 The St. Paul - Changsha China Friendship Garden, aka Liu Ming Yuan, is entering its second phase of development.  Planning will be funded by Legacy funding from the State of Minnesota.

 st entrance archway installed in summer 2019

      Phase II includes the following features: a Hmong Plaza, a Chinese Moon Bridge, an extension of the Xiang Jiang Pavilion garden to the water’s edge of the Phalen Lagoon, and an East Moon Gate/ Permanent Donor Wall.  Ancillary features such as an east entrance to the Pavilion and an irrigation system are also in the works.

A Design Advisory Committee (DAC) will work with Saint Paul Department of Parks and Recreation, the Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society (MCFGS), and the Changsha Architectural firm Hunan Jianke to develop a final design for the Phase II features.  The first of six DAC meetings were held in mid-October.  Meetings with the broader community to present design concepts and infuse the community feedback into the final design will continue through the fall and should come to completion in February 2022.

There are two opportunities to participate in this design process.  The first is at the general community meeting to provide feedback to the DAC - those meeting have yet to be scheduled.  The second is to join the DAC.  If you are interest in being involved, visit the MCFGS web page and send a note indicating your interest on the “Contact” page.

Once a final design is complete, estimates for construction will be established.  This will facilitate a future Capital Campaign.  There is already some funding available for the Hmong Plaza and Garden Extension.