Aldrich Arena

Built in 1961, the Aldrich Arena is a well-known gathering place in Maplewood, hosting games, community events, and the local farmers market. In 2019, Ramsey County Parks planned a major reconstruction of the arena’s parking lot. The Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD) partnered with the county to add features that help manage rainwater and improve water quality. This collaborative effort brought together Barr Engineering, developer Loeffler, and Collaborative Design Group to seamlessly integrate civil design with stormwater management. By slightly narrowing some parking spaces, the team was able to replace about half an acre of pavement with 12 rain gardens filled with more than 31,000 square feet of native plants. Construction was completed in late 2019, and the final plants were added in spring 2020.

The main goal of the project is to catch and clean rainwater from about 11 acres of surrounding land before it reaches Wakefield Lake. As a shallow, 23-acre waterbody heavily utilized for community recreation, Wakefield Lake faces severe water quality challenges, including an MPCA impairment designation for excess nutrients and a high vulnerability to chloride contamination from its massive 948-acre tributary watershed. The new rain gardens help filter pollutants out of the water before it flows into the lake. Because Wakefield Lake eventually drains into Lake Phalen, the project also helps protect downstream waters. This work is part of a larger effort to improve water quality across the region. Similar projects at Goodrich Golf Course, Cochran Recovery Center, and Woodhill Church show how partnerships between local organizations can create healthier lakes, streams, and community spaces.