Putting Green plans unveiled

"Thirty years from now, it won't matter what shoes you wore, how your hair looked, or the jeans you bought. What will matter is what you learned and how well you used it."

Unknown author

Private showing

at Morgan Creek

Vineyards

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

CAMBRIA -- If plans become reality, Putting Green -- an environmental adventure park featuring an 18-hole miniature golf course and environmental learning center -- will be located along the shores of the Minnesota River in the southeast corner of New Ulm in the near future.

A good crowd of invited guests viewed Putting Green plans, taste-tested wine and ate dinner Saturday afternoon at Morgan Creek Vineyards. The event was the first showing of the project.

A more public fund-raising campaign and material procurement will begin this fall. Construction would begin next year.

The $1.5 million, nine-acre project, called an innovative approach to environmental education, would center on sustainability, managing natural resources to meet needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

The park is geared to blend education and recreation. Each of 18 miniature golf holes would feature an interactive learning station promoting sustainable resource use.

Everything from the parking lot to the clubhouse and golf course will be made of resource-efficient building materials and operate with renewable energy technology.

An indoor learning center will include a classroom and laboratory with a "green" store and concession stand selling environmentally-friendly products and healthful snacks. Minnesota native plants will be grown in gardens and along park walk ways.

The collaborative project includes individuals and families, organizations and agencies, business and industry and youth with adult mentors. Youth serve on the board of directors, developed the business plan, designed miniature golf holes, buildings and landscaping and would operate and maintain Putting Green.

Holes would center on soil formation, watersheds, wetlands, ground water, nitrogen, soil erosion, and personal water consumption, backyard biodiversity, genetic biodiversity, personal and industrial water re-use, fuel cell technology, global climatic change and manure management. Golfers would complete holes easily if they used proper techniques. If not, it would take them longer to finish the hole.

About 200 students as young as fourth grade up to Martin Luther College students are part of the project. They seem to be glad they're a part of it.

"It's been a wonderful experience," said New Ulm High School senior Emily Pearson.

New Ulm High School junior Megan Oberle said she enjoyed working with friends and meeting new people that are volunteering with the project.

"It's been really fun," Oberle said. "I'm glad I joined it."

The Putting Green Foundation includes the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources, Philip Morris and Kraft Foods, Monsanto, the Anonymous Family Foundation, New Ulm Area Foundation, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, United Way, the City of New Ulm and community service organizations.

For more information, visit www.puttinggreen.org, phone 507-354-PUTT (7888) or write Putting Green, Inc., P.O. Box 91, New Ulm, MN 56073.