Moorhead City Council

Nancy Edmonds Hanson

The Moorhead City Council Monday awarded grants to five organizations for projects intended to help make the community a healthier and livelier locale – three for public gardens, and two for “placemaking,” described as “projects that entice people to gather in our community.” Both programs reflect measures recommended in the Onward Moorhead Comprehensive Plan approved by the council in 2022.

The garden grants of $500 each will be used for seeds, tools, fencing and other supplies to be used by volunteers in new or established gardens.. Recipients include Brookdale Baptist Church, 1401 40th Ave. S.; Grateful Community Garden, 2900 Fifth St. S.; and Salem Evangelical Free Church, 1111 30th Ave. S.

The second pair of substantially larger grants came out of a call for proposals issues by the city in April. According to the RFP, proposals would be considered that “bring people together to share art, food, music, culture, activities or experiences in downtown Moorhead.” Seven proposals were reviewed by a committee including Allison Kostner of the art and culture commission, Bobbi Solien of the Economic Development Authority, Derrick LaPoint of Downtown Moorhead Inc., and Jose Gereszek of Moorhead Parks and Recreation.

Two projects were selected, each to receive $20,000 in support – the F-M Community Theatre’s Community Building Weekend Build-a-thon and Folkways’ Moorhead Riverfront Magic, A Night Festival.

The FMCT plan focuses on a three-day weekend of staff-led community efforts to build and install several permanent artworks downtown.

Folkways’ Riverfront Magic evening event Aug. 17 will blend art, food, music and entertainment on the banks of the Red River through downtown Moorhead.