THE MINNESOTA CHINA FRIENDSHIP GARDEN SOCIETY

& THE US-CHINA PEOPLES FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION, MINNESOTA CHAPTER (USCPFA-MN)

PROUDLY ANNOUNCE THE CREATION OF

Liu Ming Yuan | 柳明園 | LUB VAJ PHOOJ YWG 

THE ST. PAUL-CHANGSHA CHINA FRIENDSHIP GARDEN

OF WHISPERING WILLOWS AND FLOWING WATERS

 AT PHALEN REGIONAL PARK

THE FIRST SISTER-CITY CHINA FRIENDSHIP GARDEN IN MINNESOTA

Xiang Jiang Pavilion photo by Bryan Murphy, Architect St. Paul Parks & Rec

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

MCFGS welcomes 2 new Directors to its Board, Donglin Liang and Gaoly Yang, following the 6/22/2022 election. Officers: William Zajicek – President, Chen Zhou – Vice President, Linda Mealey-Lohmann – Secretary, Stuart Knappmiller – Treasurer.  Directors Pa Thao and Wang-Yu Vu will move from the Board to the Honorary Advisory Council.  Thank you to Joanie Zhang who is leaving the Board.  Re-elected Board members are Ken Lau, Mary Warpeha, and Chen Zhou. Continuing Board members are Brian Hammer, Christina Deng Morrison, Romi Slowiak, and Ali Van.

The St. Paul Department of Parks & Recreation has begun the community engagement process for Phase II of the China Friendship Garden.  The Public is encouraged to visit the website and provide feedback regarding the conceptual design proposals for the Hmong Plaza, Chinese Arched Bridge, Moongate Entrance, Permanent Donor Wall, Chinese Chess Table space, and additional landscaping. 

Go to:  www.stpaul.gov/phalenchinagarden for all presentations, and meeting notes & recordings.

UPCOMING EVENTS – SAVE THE DATE

 8/27, 8/28, 9/10 World Premiere Dance Performance, created by Master Shen Pei

9/10/2022 2nd Annual Moon Festival Celebration with Poetry Contest

Watch for announcements about upcoming 2022-2023 Phase II capital campaign.

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The China Garden is a place for:

  • Celebration
  • Recreation
  • Education
  • Meditation
  • Poetry Composition
  • Photography
  • Cultural Performances
  • Aesthetic Enjoyment
  • Painting
  • Relaxation in Nature

The St. Paul-Changsha China Friendship Garden:

  • Is a symbol of Minnesota’s longstanding friendship with China and a recognition of its sister-city relationships
  • Promotes Minnesota’s understanding of China and of China’s rich cultural heritage
  • Promotes Minnesota’s understanding of the cultural and ancestral connection between the Minnesota Hmong and the Hmong in Changsha, Hunan Province
  • Serves as a recognition of the contributions of the Chinese American community to the Twin Cities
  • Serves to enhance peoples’ connection to and appreciation of nature
  • Builds a cultural bridge that will boost international trade and tourism between China and Minnesota

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Importance of China Gardens in Minnesota

Important Cultural Bridge. China Gardens will be important cultural bridges to China, which is now Minnesota’s second largest trading partner. These Gardens would further enhance the partnership between China and Minnesota, as such Gardens have done in many cities in the U.S. and Canada. These Gardens would not only add beauty to the neighborhood, but would show the world that Minnesota welcomes international investors and visitors to our global metropolis.

Recognize Chinese Contributions to MN. The Chinese have a long history in Minnesota, having been here since 1870s. They have contributed to Minnesota in many important ways. In the early days to mining, railroad building, restaurants, and laundry businesses, and then to the fields of science, medicine, technology, finance, education, and international trade. Today they are contributing research to many fields, including nanotechnology, bio-fuel, solar energy, Alzheimer disease, etc. The China Garden would recognize their many contributions to the City of Minneapolis, the City of St. Paul, and the State of Minnesota.

Celebrate MN’s Diversity. Minnesota has many diverse communities. For example, Former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak pointed out, in connection with his organizing of the Minneapolis Mosaic Arts Festival, that the City of Minneapolis has 85 languages spoken. Having gardens related to various ethnicities in Minnesota will help to build better understanding and collaboration among communities, and enhance the partnerships between citizens and their government.

Land Acknowledgement.  The Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society acknowledges and respects the Dakota who are the traditional and ancestral inhabitants of the land on which sits the St. Paul-Changsha China Friendship Garden of Whispering Willows and Flowing Waters at Phalen Regional Park.

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