Shepherd's Path
Community Garden
Growing together
Shepherd's Path Community Garden (SPCG) provides a collective space for gardners who are interested in planting, nourishing, and producing fresh produce and flowers, and sharing a percentage of their yield with local community organizations like The CAP Agency Food Shelf located in Shakopee, MN.
The original garden
The original garden was setup in 2008 by Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church (SOLLC) to enable people in the community to grow their own food economically, and was located in the space that now houses the Lake Ridge Apartments on McKenna Rd NW in Prior Lake.
With the help of garden enthusiasts Katy Hallberg, Charles Wangerin and Kermit Mahlum, the garden grew to 57 plots, and had15 inches of black dirt, mulched paths, a locked fence, city water connection, kids play area, and a strong garden community growing outstanding produce.
Moving the garden
When SOLLC sold this parcel of land in 2023, the garden was moved to its current location in Horkey Park at Shepherds Path near McKenna Crossing and Highway 42.
To move the garden to it's new location, SOLLC called on campus partners, members, and the community for their help. With a grant from Hy-Vee and help from campus partner Presbyterian Homes & Services (McKenna Crossing), a survey, design, and new fence were provided.
Once the City of Prior Lake approved the garden's move to the city park land, Ron and Tim Ames removed trees, excavated the area removing clay and replacing it with the prior garden's black dirt and new compost. They also leveled-out the garden, setup garden plots, mulched paths, and provided a paved parking lot. Other local business who help with the project included My Father's Son Fence who installed the fence.
Today's garden
Today the garden has a total of 61 plots (42 plots and 19 raised garden beds) for flowers and vegetables, twelve hose connections, two tool sheds, tables, chairs, benches, apple and pear trees, and a Biffy!
A place for everyone
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Garden plots are assigned to one person only and are not transferable.
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Current gardeners can reserve the garden plot they are using for the next season by paying both a deposit and the annual rental fee by end of September.
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New gardeners can rent an available garden plot for the next season by paying both a deposit and the annual rental fee beginning Oct 1.
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All gardeners are responsible for keeping their garden and the edges and paths around the garden weed free.
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All gardeners must plant their plot by June 1.
Renting a garden plot
To apply for a garden plot, download the application in the link below, and mail it to:
Katy Hallberg, SPCG Coordinator
Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church
3611 North Berens Road NW
Prior Lake, MN 55379
For more information, email Katy Hallberg.