Members of the Rice & Larpenteur Alliance pose for a picture at Lake McCarrons Park during their Community in Bloom celebration on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Photo via Rice & Larpenteur Alliance on Facebook.
Neighbors celebrated community with wellness activities, a petting zoo, a water buggy and more
By Cecilia Wallace | Environmental reporter
Residents of Roseville and neighboring cities gathered to celebrate community, support local businesses and connect at Lake McCarrons Park on Saturday for Rice & Larpenteur Alliance Community in Bloom.
Visitors packed the park on the sunny, 80-degree day, enjoying hot dogs, chips and beverages.
“We’re giving away free hot dogs that are donated from Cub Foods, so everybody who attends can get a free meal,” said Noelle Bakken, Roseville sustainability specialist.
In addition to the free food, the event had many family-friendly activities— perfect for participants of all ages. There was a bouncy house and scavenger hunt as well as information booths for Ramsey County, Xcel Energy, Saint Paul Public Schools, Rebuilding Together Minnesota, Rice Street Royalty and more.
“I’m most excited for some of the mental health activities,” Bakken said. “There’s journaling and mindfulness for hip hop lovers. I’m really excited to see what that’s all about, and see how people can engage with that activity. I think the petting zoo is gonna be really exciting. That’s a brand new thing.”
The event aims to foster community and support local businesses, including by educating community members on the importance of sustainability.
“This year, we’re really focusing on sustainability, so we’re using all compostable materials for the meals that we’re offering,” Bakken said. “We also have St. Paul Regional Water Services coming with their solar-powered water wagon, so that gives people an area where they can fill up a water bottle or a compostable cup with water for free. Then the city of Roseville’s sustainability team has a table. We’ll be doing a recycling sorting activity and some outreach about some of the projects we’re working on, like our climate equity action plan.”
Although the event had many activities and booths to visit, Bakken hoped that people would just enjoy the outdoors and warm day after a long spring and winter.
“I just hope they feel more connected with the community and just learn a little bit more about the other people that live in the area and what services might be available,” Bakken said. “I want people to get out and enjoy the park and get to know people who work for the city and the county a little bit more and just enjoy some fresh air and some good.”
Cecilia Wallace can be reached at celiadw016@gmail.com.
