A vacant lot in the middle of downtown Redwood Falls has long been a gap in the streetscape. Discover Downtown Redwood Falls plans to change that with the Pocket Park project, turning the empty space into a connector between parking and businesses, as well as a hub for downtown activity.
An artist's rendering shows the proposed Pocket Park, featuring string lights, landscaping, seating, and a market kiosk. Courtesy Discover Downtown Redwood Falls.
Discover Downtown Redwood Falls (DDRF) was created three years ago. Board member Shannon Guetter said its mission is “promoting the downtown’s image; supporting physical improvements and development; advocating for merchants; and hosting special events that bring new life to the historic core of our city.” She said after listening to community feedback, DDRF focused beautification efforts on transforming the lot into the Pocket Park.
The lot, located at 146-148 East 2nd Street, is owned by the Redwood Falls Port Authority. The City of Redwood Falls has approved the project and will maintain the space. Plans include an ADA-accessible walkway connecting the municipal parking lot on 3rd Street with the businesses on 2nd Street. The park will feature lighting, landscaping, and seating areas. There are also plans for market kiosks that could be rented by entrepreneurs to sell products. Guetter said, “This improvement will provide more accessible parking options and eliminate the need for visitors to navigate uneven or muddy paths when coming downtown.”
The Pocket Park will connect the municipal parking lot on 3rd Street with businesses along 2nd Street.
Funding for park construction is being raised through donations from businesses and individuals. The estimated cost is $50,000, with $23,650 raised so far. Guetter noted that the amount raised “allows us to work on hiring contractors to get Phase 1 of the project done, which we hope to have more information on soon.” DDRF accepts monetary donations and is selling merchandise through their website.
The organization is hosting the Pocket Park Puzzle Palooza fundraiser Thursday, March 26 at the Redwood Falls Golf Club, with teams competing to finish a 500-piece puzzle the fastest while navigating sabotages purchased from other teams. Limited team spaces remain with registration taking place online.
DDRF has scheduled multiple events in the coming months. The Bingo Blitz will take place on Saturday, April 11, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Participants will pick up a bingo card at Redwood Area Arts or participating downtown businesses and then fill out the card by collecting stamps at the businesses. Completed cards can be entered to win prizes. DDRF will also host “Live on 2nd” events, featuring live music, family-friendly activities, food trucks, and more. The first will take place May 9 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM before Night Falls in Ramsey Park. The second is during the Summer Splash celebration on June 27 from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
In addition to events and fundraisers throughout the year and the Pocket Park project, DDRF continues to look for ways to improve Downtown Redwood Falls. Guetter said they are working on a project to place plaques on historic buildings with scannable QR codes linking to stories about the buildings and how they were used in the past. The board is also discussing adding amenities to Town Square Park at the corner of 2nd and Washington Streets. She encouraged readers to stay updated through the DDRF website and Facebook page. When asked about her vision for the downtown’s future, Guetter said, “I hope to see a thriving, vibrant downtown that is truly the heart of our community…My biggest hope is to see a downtown that honors its history while continuing to grow and evolve for the future.“
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