Wright County Robert Ney Park and Two Inlets at Bdé Heháka - Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park
Artist In Residence
Linsey Buck, both a landscape architect and an artist, was chosen to work with two regional parks on either side of the Mississippi River, Wright County Robert Ney Park and Two Inlets at Bdé Heháka - Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park (Two Inlets). Lindsey's approach for the parks is a joint project which is aimed at tying the past to the future around culture and nature. She developed a mobile phone application that pairs with onsite signage designed as part of the project to bring users a new perspective on the land from the combined perspectives of history, language, and botanical knowledge.
Linsey Buck, both a landscape architect and an artist, was chosen to work with two regional parks on either side of the Mississippi River, Wright County Robert Ney Park and Two Inlets at Bdé Heháka - Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park (Two Inlets). Lindsey's approach for the parks is a joint project which is aimed at tying the past to the future around culture and nature. She developed a mobile phone application that pairs with onsite signage designed as part of the project to bring users a new perspective on the land from the combined perspectives of history, language, and botanical knowledge.
As part of the community involvement, Lindsey met with the following groups to receive feedback and input. The feedback was positive.
The signage and application launched in August.
- Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
- Upper Sioux Community
- Lower Sioux Agency
- MnPAiR Cohort and Community Circle
- Sherburne County Park & Trail Advisory Committee
- Two Inlets Parkland Development Committee
- Damon Farber (contracted landscape architect for Two Inlets masterplan)
- Wright County Parks Comission (scheduled in May 2025)
The signage and application launched in August.
Pressing herbs used in the park signage
The App
According to a presentation which Lindsey has shared with the group:
“My proposed project is to create a resource which will bring site-specific botanical knowledge to the public, in a way which also can supplement cultural and language revitalization programs. Because of the complexity of the knowledge that will be presented, the information will be held within a mobile application. This will allow visitors to interact with the information while also experiencing the landscape first-hand, in both a visual and tactile manner; it will also keep the onsite impact low by reducing the need for large signage components. Scannable QR codes with links to the app can be implemented into standard signage at Robert Ney; at Two Inlets the codes can be integrated into local materials, such as boulders, and placed along the path to avoid soil disturbance.
Interpretive information will integrate botanical knowledge with the following themes:
The mobile app will have (3) main components: maps, botanical knowledge, and land connections.
Maps
The map section will include regional maps which discuss the concept and history of the cultural landscape, but will also include interactive maps of each park which show the locations of interpretive markers within the park, and a preview of the information that is included at each.
Botanical Knowledge
Each interpretive marker will feature a culturally significant plant species that is present at that park. The botanical images will be supported by a discussion of the names in English, Dakota, and Ojibwe, paired with audio clips of proper pronunciation. Stories, provided as audio, video, or written narrative should center on local Indigenous knowledge of that species to keep teachings specific to place and culture, and will center on the themes of history, language, respect, and interconnection between plants, animals, and people.
Land Connections
Connections are tactile components that link the knowledge to place through interaction with the land. Land-based activities associated with each plant will be suggested for future park programming (ie, guided foraging, maple syrup collection, textile making) and event information included here. Games embedded in the app will encourage onsite exploration while introducing knowledge such as recipes or stories. A proposal for a future phase of the app is to develop an augmented reality component which will focus on plant and animal connections.”
According to a presentation which Lindsey has shared with the group:
“My proposed project is to create a resource which will bring site-specific botanical knowledge to the public, in a way which also can supplement cultural and language revitalization programs. Because of the complexity of the knowledge that will be presented, the information will be held within a mobile application. This will allow visitors to interact with the information while also experiencing the landscape first-hand, in both a visual and tactile manner; it will also keep the onsite impact low by reducing the need for large signage components. Scannable QR codes with links to the app can be implemented into standard signage at Robert Ney; at Two Inlets the codes can be integrated into local materials, such as boulders, and placed along the path to avoid soil disturbance.
Interpretive information will integrate botanical knowledge with the following themes:
- History: giving voice to the past and honoring the present within the cultural landscape
- Language: Connecting Indigenous names to landforms, plants, and animals, and learning how naming systems reflect relationships between people and nature
- Respect: centering an attitude of reciprocity over extraction - exploring the lessons plants can teach us above their utilitarian uses.
- Interconnection: exploring relationships between land, people, plants, and animals
The mobile app will have (3) main components: maps, botanical knowledge, and land connections.
Maps
The map section will include regional maps which discuss the concept and history of the cultural landscape, but will also include interactive maps of each park which show the locations of interpretive markers within the park, and a preview of the information that is included at each.
Botanical Knowledge
Each interpretive marker will feature a culturally significant plant species that is present at that park. The botanical images will be supported by a discussion of the names in English, Dakota, and Ojibwe, paired with audio clips of proper pronunciation. Stories, provided as audio, video, or written narrative should center on local Indigenous knowledge of that species to keep teachings specific to place and culture, and will center on the themes of history, language, respect, and interconnection between plants, animals, and people.
Land Connections
Connections are tactile components that link the knowledge to place through interaction with the land. Land-based activities associated with each plant will be suggested for future park programming (ie, guided foraging, maple syrup collection, textile making) and event information included here. Games embedded in the app will encourage onsite exploration while introducing knowledge such as recipes or stories. A proposal for a future phase of the app is to develop an augmented reality component which will focus on plant and animal connections.”
Map of sign locations at Two Inlets Park
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Botanical Signage at Robert Ney Park
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Signage at Two Inlets Park
Illustration of various app screens
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Illustration of botanical names
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Lindsey Buck installing signage on the end of a cut off log
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Illustration of app page
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Illustration of signs with QR codes
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Illustration of bird in a berry tree
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A landscape architect by trade, Lindsay Buck completed studies in fine arts and biology before pursuing a master’s in landscape architecture (MLA) degree. Her passion lies at the intersection of art and science, which has been a driving force in both her career and in her artistic endeavors. Born and raised in the American Midwest, she has lived and worked professionally in Miami, Los Angeles, and Zurich, Switzerland. She currently resides in Mahtomedi, Minnesota and is co-founder of Tree and Table, a multi-faceted design studio that encourages exploration, appreciation, and preservation of the natural world.
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Questions? Contact [email protected]
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