May 20, 2004: Golden Valley/Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary (Golden Valley)

Join Joan B for a hike through Theodore Wirth Park to the beautiful Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary. Eloise Butler (1852-1933) was a Minneapolis school teacher who grew up and was educated in Maine and gained an early interest in "botanizing." The garden was established in 1907, four years before Butler's retirement from teaching botany at South High, because she was concerned about the loss of native wild flower habitat in Minneapolis. Although the Park Board and Superintendent Theodore Wirth were reluctant about the project, the garden was authorized and then expanded from its initial three acres to 14 acres. The Park Board named the garden for her in 1929. She died at work in the garden and her ashes were scattered in the garden.

If coming by car: Take I-94 West to the 7th Street N/Olson Memorial Hwy (MN 55) exit, exit #230 (a right hand side exit). Continue on ramp 0.3 mi. Continue on E. Lyndale Ave N for 0.1 mi. Turn left (West) onto MN-55 WEST. Go 2.2 mi. At the stop light which is one block BEYOND (west of) Theodore Wirth Parkway, turn left onto Meadow Lane North. On Meadow Lane take the first left turn into 501 Theodore Wirth Parkway, also called SouthWirth Apartments. (SouthWirth Apartments, which has a Theodore Wirth Parkway address, is entered from Meadow Lane.) Park furthest away from apartment entrance.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): . The closest bus route drop off point seems to be . Applicable Metro Transit Map/General Transit Information

Bring something to eat for the Potluck supper after the hike at Joan B's apartment.

Maps on Us map to the hike starting point

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This page was last updated on May 14, 2004.