The Rotary club of Maple Grove in collaboration with the City of Maple Grove, planted a large pollinator garden at Central Park this past June. Located near the pickleball courts, the garden was designed with the guidance of Heidi's Growhaus Nursery and features more than 100 planted in the northeast corner of the fields. This project supports the city's Monarch Pledge goals and provides important habitant for the pollinators such as bees, butterflies and other bendficial insects. 

While the plants take time to mature they will become an attractive feature for the park visitors as they grow.  And once the garden reaches its full display the longterm benefits will be significant. The colorful flowers and native plants will not only enhance the beauty of Cental Park but also help sustain pollinator populations  that play a crucial role in the ecosystem.

The Maple Grove Parks and Recreation department is working on hosting The “Build a Bee Hotel” program is for kids and is scheduled for May 9, 2026 at the Phenow Pavillion in Central Park. The kids will learn about Pollinators and will build a protected nesting site for bees.

The “Pollinator Crash Course” is for adults interested in making a difference supporting pollinators and how they can improve their own pollinator gardens. The adult program is scheduled May 23, 2026 at the Phenow Pavillion in Central Park. Both programs will explore the Rotary Pollinator Garden at Central Park. The programs and registration details will be in the City of Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Summer 2026 Activity Catalog.

Stay tuned for more information.

Join other Rotarians for a special evening bringing together the Rotary clubs of Area 7, which are Buffalo,Maple Grove,Monticello,Rogers,and satellite clubs of Monticello, St. Michael-Albertville, to connect, collaborate and strengthen our shared commitment to service. March 25th, 2026

Where: 21st Century Bank event Center in Rogers 12716 Main Street from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

use this link to register Register Online

The Rotary Club of Maple Grove is all about helping the community.  We are aware the last 2 months have been difficult for families. We have been working with CROSS Services to develop our role in an initiative to assist families in our community with emergent needs.  Over the next two months, we are asking for your help. We are focusing our effors to assist the Mobile Hope facility  in Corcoran.

Please bring your donations to the Rotary Club meetings during the months of February and March, and we will coordinate having CROSS Services deliver them to Mobile Hope for distribution.  You may also donate gas cards, gift cards for Walmart, Target, or Cub for Mobile Hope to share with families as needed. Donate what you are comfortable with.

Items Needed:

Food 
•    Canned vegetables
•    Canned or individual cups of fruit
•    Canned soup
•    Canned or pouch meats (tuna, chicken, seafood)
•    Dry Beans
•    White Rice
•    Pasta & Pasta sauce or diced tomatoes
•    Tortillas & Hot Sauce 
•    Cereal or oatmeal
•    Peanut Butter & Jelly

One of Rotary's focus is Peace. Our club is looking to install a Peace pole at Central Park. While searching for poles we came across this story on planting trees with the Rotary Club of Brooklyn Park four years ago. Here is the link to the full story.

https://share.google/dJYST5wCK2N5FbPqd

Enjoy!

As a Rotarians we tend to meet, since we also like to learn about each other as a networking aspect of Rotary. What are your thoughts about your club experience? Here are a few key take aways as to how club members feel the Rotary exerperience is working for them. If you have any other ideas to make the club experience better for you, contact the club President with your thoughts.

District Governor Mark Shockey presented takeaways from the 2025 Rotary International Survey where 88% of Rotarians are very or moderately satisfied with their Rotary experience and agree that the time invested in Rotary is worth it.  In addition, 76% of Rotarians feel that their expectations are being met.  What members experience in their club matters and is positive when 

• Members enjoy meetings.
• Members have confidence in club leaders and the direction of the club.
• The club offers opportunities for personal growth and skill development. 
• Members develop meaningful friendships.
• Club service opportunities make a difference in their community and world.

If you feel there are other aspects to the club experience that keeps you engaged please let us know.

Our very own Tom Anderson (a.k.a., EcoMan!) is receiving recognition for his service.  The Mn Shade Treew Advisory committee is honoring Tom on Thursday, Dec. 18th at 9:30 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. at a potluck celebration at Eddie Manderville Chalet in Theodore Wirth Park (1301 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Golden Valley, MN 55422).   The schedule is 9:30 am:  Mix and mingle
10:00 am: Presentations by MnSTAC, MSA, and MNDNR (available to Zoom attendees)
11:00 am: Tree-via!
11:30 am - 1:00 pm: Potluck lunch