This past Saturday, September 25th, the Plymouth Historical Society led a sold-out historical tour of Parkers Lake Cemetery. Led by PHS Board Members Bob Gasch and Ted Hoshal, we learned about the many layers of history surrounding the Parkers Lake area, including its namesake family, the Parkers, who came to Plymouth in 1854. We then walked from the lake to nearby Parkers Cemetery and learned about its founding as a Methodist site connected with former Parkers Lake Methodist Church. Ted…

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By Stacy Paulsen Mission Farms also functioned as a locale for religious conferences, camps, and conventions. The first of these was the Northwestern Bible Conference in the summer of 1929. Over time, the programming expanded to include year round bible camps with activities like skating, sledding, and skiing. Additional structures were added, including a chapel, an amphitheater, the “Wigwam Inn,” a Western-style fort dormitory, a tepee village, multiple lodge buildings, and a handsome stone structure called the Speaker’s Residence (also…

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By Stacy Paulsen Nestled between French Regional Park, Armstrong High School and residential homes at the north end of Medicine Lake lies a complex of buildings and expansive lawns that are home to Missions Inc., a nonprofit organization providing chemical health, domestic violence, and long term care services. It would be easy to pass by the entrance to the facility on E Medicine Lake Blvd. without realizing that this site has deep history and local significance far beyond the services…

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By Ella Vincent You may know French Regional Park as one of Plymouth’s favorite spots for biking, boating, hiking, fishing, swimming and a variety of outdoor activities. You may not know that the park is not named for any particular Parisian influence but was named after longtime public servant Clifton E. French. But, who exactly was Clifton E. French? Parks & Recreation Groundbreaker Clifton E. French was a Minnesota trailblazer. In 1948, French was one of the first students to…

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By Breanna Smida. With the summer months upon us, there is a lot taking place. Whether it’s holidays, vacations, road trips, Park & Rec programs or so many other events and activities, people keep busy! However, there are those moments where people merely want to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine while being a part of the community. This is exactly why the Plymouth Farmers Market remains a very popular spot to spend a little extra free-time. Farmers markets in…

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By Ella Vincent The Hilde Performance Theater is Plymouth’s finest amphitheater and grounds for outdoor performing arts and community events. As with every aspect of life during the Covid-19 pandemic, activities at the Hilde underwent many changes in 2020. While some traditionally held performances were canceled, other activities were held in ways that were anything but traditional. The Hilde Performance Center opened in July 2002 with a performance by the Minnesota Orchestra. Designed by the architects who created the Lake…

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Our final Club Y.E.S. article was written by Neha Kodali. Additional thanks to Sarah Josephs for her research on the founding timeline of the Plymouth Creek Center. Thank you again to all our amazing volunteers! Plymouth Creek Center is a site for groups to gather and celebrate special events, enjoy cultural and educational pursuits, and partake in other social and recreational activities. It is also a place where weddings, banquets, meetings, and receptions are held.   The naming of Plymouth Creek…

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This week’s blog was written by Club Y.E.S. volunteer Aneesh Sakrahalli. The Plymouth Comprehensive Plan serves the City of Plymouth as a way to comprehend and plan for its future as a rapidly growing suburb. It guides community development and public improvements in the city, and every twenty years, the city is responsible for creating a new plan. Currently, the city of Plymouth has created the 2040 plan. Though the comprehensive plan is over 900 pages, I will summarize it the best I can. As of…

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This week’s article was written by Club Y.E.S. volunteer Neha Kodali. French Regional Park, previously known as Medicine Lake Regional Park, was named after Clifton E. French, the first superintendent of the Three Rivers Park District. The Three Rivers Park District began operating in 1957 and implemented wetland, prairie, woodland, and wildlife restorations to help return the land to its pre-settlement state. Along with other park reserves in the district, French Regional Park offers many activities such as biking, boating,…

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This week’s blog post comes from Club Y.E.S. volunteer Sancia Mary Jerold Wilson Spring is just around the corner, and it brings many exciting things along with it. Soon the trees will bud, flowers will bloom, and the birds will sing. But, what many look forward to in spring is gardening. Gardening has been an escape from daily struggles for people for ages, and Minnesotans are no exception. After the long winters, Minnesotans have loved going outside and getting their…

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