What the Greenway Needs

In the Sunday StarTribune there was an interesting article about how much real estate investment the Midtown Greenway has brought along the corridor, $200 million!  I love the MG it is a easy, flat, ride across the city with entry and exit points along the way.  But let us be honest: it is a transportation corridor, when you stop on the greenway there really aint much to look at other than weeds, the backside of buildings, and overpasses.  I propose something to look at: a small herd of goats.

Before you scoff…just type in “urban goat grazing” on your search engine.  Plus, Portland does it and their goats have names.

Imagine a small herd, say of 10 goats grazing the grass and controlling the weeds along the Greenway.  This would accomplish many goals simultaneously.

One, it would be an interesting addition to the Greenway.  In addition to people watching, add goat watching.  Have you ever spent an hour or so watching goats?  It is a surprisingly interesting adventure.

Two, it would eliminate the need for mowers and weed eaters along the Greenway.  How many times have you been walking or biking or skating down the Greenway only to plow through a wall of dust created from mowing, or had a rock rocketed from a mowing machine smack you upside the head?

Three, the goats would truly make the Greenway “green.” Goats would not burn precious fossil fuels while they grazed and controlled weeds.  The goat manure could be used to fertilize the Urban farm, the soccer field, and green spaces along the Greenway.

Four, the goat grazing could provide opportunity to regain lost cultural knowledge.   I am sure 98% of all Minneapolitans do not know how to raise goats, myself included.  But I am sure there are a few retired goat farmers from Minnesota who now reside in Minneapolis.  And I am sure there are a few recent, or not so recent, members from immigrant communities who know how to raise goats.  In a proper and imaginative program each season these farmers rich in knowledge could share with youth and college aged students from Minneapolis.  Perhaps professors and students from the St. Paul campus of the U could provide support too.  Imagine the interchange with youth and old-time farmers learning the subtleties of animal husbandry.  Imagine the interchange between youth and members of immigrant communities learning from one another as they learn the art of goat farming.

Finally, the goats could act as a temporary speed bump.  Because it is hard to go 35 mph on your bike if you know an errant goat may be lurking up ahead.  Thus a safer Greenway too.