Amy and Eric’s pollinator garden transformed Daily Park, the tiniest in the city, earning them April’s MoorHeart Award.

city council

A Moorhead couple who turned the city’s tiny Daily Park green last summer were named winners of the April MoorHeart Award Monday.

Amy Anderson and Eric Bailly pledged last spring to make the smallest park in the city – located in the middle of Fourth Street South near Second Avenue – a beautiful pollinator paradise. Using their own money as well as countless hours to plant and tend the raised small mid-traffic triangle, they built a demonstration pollinator garden.

Since there’s no water in Daily Park, the pair hauled water from their home several blocks away. They confronted a summer full of challenges, from the drought to a mishap when a Public Works crew inadvertently dumped construction equipment on the garden. They recruited friends to “babysit” the garden when they were out of town.

Moorheaders watched their garden grow not only when they drove by on the busy street but in social media posts throughout the growing season. The garden was featured during a public tour of pollinator gardens in September.

For the way Amy and Eric spearheaded this sustainable and green activity to show others that efforts like these do not go unnoticed or without thanks, the MoorHeart selection committee chose Eric and Amy to receive the MoorHeart Award on the eve of the city’s observance of Earth Week.

The MoorHeart award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to demonstrate community spirit by their actions and service. A team of volunteers from city boards and commissions selects award recipients. The MoorHeart award is commemorated with a piece of art commissioned from Moorhead artist Karman Rheault.

Information on nominating individuals/organizations for the MoorHeart award can be found by searching “MoorHeart” at cityofmoorhead.com.