Silverwood Park Planning and Cultural Site Development

Master Planning for a Culturally and Environmentally Aligned Park

In 2001, Three Rivers Park District acquired the Salvation Army Silver Lake Camp, a 120-acre site in suburban Ramsey County that had served the community since 1921. This acquisition launched a visionary planning process to define the site’s future role within the regional park and open space system. The camp, rich in history and natural character, included 22 building structures, rolling terrain, high-quality woodlands, water features, and ample open space, offering a rare opportunity to create a unique destination for both recreation and cultural engagement.

Renamed Silverwood Park, the site was designated a “special recreational area” intended to foster creative exploration at the intersection of nature and the arts. The park was envisioned as a space where individual artists, arts organizations, school groups, and the general public could gather to create and experience art inspired by the surrounding landscape.

Integrating Environmental Stewardship with Cultural Programming

To support this vision, SRF Consulting partnered with Three Rivers Park District to lead a comprehensive master planning process. As a trusted partner in parks planning and consulting, SRF assembled a multidisciplinary team that provided development planning, cultural resources assessments, and architectural evaluations of the site’s existing buildings.

Working closely with stakeholders, SRF developed site and building alternatives that balanced creative use with ecological preservation. The resulting master plan emphasized both fine and folk arts, spoken word, performance, and other creative forms, all within a carefully managed natural setting.

Landscape and infrastructure elements such as bridges, trails, pedestrian amenities, roadways, and parking, were planned and implemented in a way that complemented the natural environment rather than disrupting it. These enhancements aimed to improve accessibility and experience while preserving ecological value.

In parallel, SRF’s design team prioritized landscape restoration, native planting strategies, and natural resource management, reinforcing the site’s long-term sustainability. The resulting environment is one where recreation, education, and artistic expression coexist seamlessly with environmental stewardship.

Resource Links:
Three Rivers Park District – Silverlake Park, MN

Internal Category:
Parks, Trails & Recreation

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Saint Paul, MN