Merrily Borg Babcock has announced her retirement from her most recent volunteer role with the Wayzata Parks & Trails Board, capping a remarkable career of service to the city she has passionately helped shape. Over decades of devoted advocacy, Babcock’s work has touched nearly every corner of Wayzata, from preserving its rich history to championing its green spaces, leaving an indelible mark on the community.
Wayzata Historical Society
Her journey began in the late 1990s with the Wayzata Historical Society, where she was invited to serve as the Membership Chair. Babcock’s contributions were immediate and impactful, including designing the first Minnehaha Boat History Cruise around Wayzata Bay. This unique venture, with narrators knowledgeable about local histories, not only helped grow the Historical Society’s membership but also deepened residents’ connections to the city’s heritage. As president of the Historical Society in the early 2000s, Babcock’s leadership brought about several pivotal projects. Among these was the creation of the Wayzata Timeline, an ambitious project unveiled during the city’s Sesquicentennial celebrations in 2004. She also designed a commemorative plaque for the Depot, marking Wayzata’s early train history.
Leading Wayzata’s Purchase of the Big Woods
Babcock’s work extended far beyond historical preservation, however. As a committed environmental advocate, she played a key role in preserving the Wayzata Big Woods and the Cenacle Retreat building by leading a $1.8 million fundraiser and a $3 million bond referendum. Her hands-on efforts to create walking paths through the Big Woods, often rallying volunteers to help lay wood chips, earned her the affectionate nickname “TREE HUGGER!” among her colleagues. Babcock’s environmental legacy includes launching initiatives like the Earth Day Tree Giveaway, which later evolved into the city’s annual Arbor Day celebration, and the Maple Tree Tapping Program, a cherished community tradition she helped establish with John Curtis.
Planning Commission
Her service on the Planning Commission from 2005 to 2011 and later as Vice Chair of the Parks & Trails Board since 2012 has had a lasting impact on the city’s growth and infrastructure. Babcock played a key role in preserving local green spaces, particularly during the creation of the Little Beach docks and the Bushaway Task Force, where her efforts prevented a cherished corridor from being transformed into a four-lane thoroughfare, saving hundreds of trees in the process.
Other Community Creations
Babcock’s influence also extended to the community through events like the Music in the Park series and the preservation of local landmarks such as the Little Beach and McCormicks Beachside. She created educational plaques for local parks and was instrumental in preserving Post Office Park, where she planted perennials and tulips transplanted from Wise Avenue after her efforts to save the Wise House.
Dedication to Wayzata
As she reflects on her years of service, Babcock remains unapologetically committed to her values, even when the issues she worked on were unpopular. Her approach was always about doing what was best for Wayzata, regardless of immediate reception. “Some of the issues I’ve worked on for Wayzata were unpopular… but, oh well,” she remarked, a testament to her unwavering dedication to the community she loved.
Babcock’s legacy of service will continue to shape Wayzata for years to come, from her environmental efforts to her preservation of local history and her role in creating spaces for residents to gather and connect. Her retirement marks the end of a significant chapter in Wayzata’s history, but her influence will be felt for generations.
Unsung Heroes: Celebrating the Volunteers Behind Wayzata’s Success
Below is a roll call compiled by Merrily herself—a heartfelt list created to thank every individual who supported her projects. In detailing the contributions and the projects they helped bring to fruition for the good of the Wayzata community, she honors those whose names might never appear on plaques or donor lists. Though she endeavored to include everyone, Merrily admits she may have inadvertently missed some names.
Wayzata Historical Society & Membership Initiatives
- Chuck Schoen: Invited Merrily to be Membership Chair for the Wayzata Historical Society with the goal of growing membership from 150 to 500. She also helped launch the first Minnehaha Boat Tour around Wayzata Bay in 1999, contributed to the timeline at the Wayzata Depot, and worked on fundraisers.
- Donny Scanlon: Coordinated and chaffered the tour’s narrators.
- Jim Ogland: Provided expertise on boat history for the Minnehaha Boat Tour.
- James Wyer: Contributed his knowledge of Maplewood history for the tour.
- Mary Ellen Gee: Shared insights on Bushaway and Arlington Heights history (serving as a narrator).
- Unnamed Ferndale Narrator: (Name not found in the paperwork) Contributed Ferndale historical narration.
- Lynn Gruber: Collaborated by creating three years of historical calendars as membership incentives.
Wayzata Historical Society & Membership Initiatives
- Phil Little: Assisted in production efforts for WHS projects.
- Keith Waters: Acted as a sponsor for the initiatives.
- Jack Amdal: Worked as part of the team that transformed the Depot (previously used as storage) into a public venue and later supported the Maple Tree Tapping program from day one; also measured the space for McComick’s Beachside setup.
- Mary Brown: Contributed to opening the Depot to the public.
- Heidi Backstrom: Assisted with the Depot transformation project.
- Sue Sorrentino: Helped with Depot-related efforts.
- Joanie Holst: Played a role in the Depot opening project.
- Terry Middlekauff: Along with his team, dressed the Depot to convert it into a welcoming public space and volunteered inside at the Station
- John Lebens: Led his team in transforming the Depot for public use.
- Bernie Klien: Championed the fundraising campaign
Board Leadership, Timeline Installation, & Cenacle Big Woods Campaign
- Becca Nash: Represented Trust for Public Land in the effort to save the original Aarno home and surrounding woods.
- Susan Schmidt: Served as the TPL Lead, offering expertise in preserving the Aarno home and nearby woods.
- Bob McGillvory: Provided his expertise to help save the original Aarno home and its surrounding woods.
- John Curtiss: Contributed from his base at the Retreat, ensuring respect for the Big Woods as a wildlife park area.
Big Woods Communications & Legal Support
- Joan Malikowski: Wrote newsletters to keep the community informed about the projects.
- Sandy Harvey: Assisted in writing newsletters and contributed to planting efforts at Post Office Park.
- Dick Flint: Offered legal advice for community projects.
- Bob Gisvold: Provided legal counsel supporting various initiatives.
- Mary Bader: Authored newspaper articles and letters to the editor, later serving as Editor in Chief; also actively participated in planting and garlic mustard removal projects.
- Patty Gisvold: Contributed newspaper articles and letters to the editor.
Big Wood Fundraisers & Workers
- Mary Plant: Took part in early fundraising initiatives.
- Steven Poling: Assisted with early fundraising efforts.
- Jody Poling: Collaborated in early fundraising.
- Wendy Dayton: Led fundraising as a TPL Board member once efforts got underway.
- Phil Harder Sr.: Served as one of the team leaders during the fundraising campaign.
- Dick Howell: Acted as a team leader in fundraising.
- Dick Harmon: Contributed as another team leader in fundraising.
- Grant Merritt: Shared his preservation knowledge to bolster fundraising efforts.
- Bob Ambrose: Rushed back to cast a decisive vote in council regarding the Big Woods and later helped lead the removal team for invasive species.
- Joe McCarthy: Picked up Bob Ambrose to ensure the critical vote was cast for the Big Woods purchase, and later helped lead the Wayzata Football team in pulling buckthorn.
- Priscilla Waldel: As part of Wayzata’s “Tree Board,” she first led groups through the woods when Providence Academy considered purchasing the property.
- Nadine Storms: Also on the “Tree Board,” helped lead groups in the woods during that critical property evaluation.
Heritage Preservation Board Contributions
- Irene Stemmer: Authored numerous articles on the history of our parks and served as a charter member of the Heritage Preservation Board.
- Judy Starkey: As a charter member of the Heritage Preservation Board, volunteered on projects that saved a piece of Wayzata history.
- Babcock also played a role in creating the Centennial Home awards
Post Office Park Plantings and Beyond
- Lynn McCarthy: Volunteered extensively—coordinating planting at Post Office Park, organizing cleanup efforts at Little Beach, and securing the Wayzata Football team each spring to pull invasive buckthorn from the Big Woods.
- Jan Himan: Led planting efforts at Post Office Park and spearheaded the DIG IT/PULL IT annual planting projects.
- Dennis Himan: Assisted with the planting at Post Office Park.
- Christine Halvorson: Participated in planting at Post Office Park and helped pull garlic mustard in the Big Woods.
- Laura Merrium: Contributed to the planting projects at Post Office Park.
- Debby Vanderhydan: Assisted in planting efforts at Post Office Park.
- Tom Vanderhydan: Helped with the planting at Post Office Park alongside Debby.
- Joanie Cunningham: Contributed to planting at Post Office Park.
- Bridget Anderson: Volunteered in planting at Post Office Park.
- Jason Anderson: Assisted with planting efforts at Post Office Park.
- Kathie Doerr: Helped plant at Post Office Park.
- Kathy Jones: Participated in planting at Post Office Park and in pulling garlic mustard from the Big Woods.
- Johanna Mouton: Volunteered at Post Office Park alongside her parents.
- The Moutons (Parents of Johanna Mouton): Assisted with the planting at Post Office Park.
- Lynda Minnick: Contributed to planting at Post Office Park.
- Lynda Sleeper: Helped with the planting projects at Post Office Park.
- Holly Evans: Participated in planting at Post Office Park.
- Bennett Myhran: Volunteered for planting at Post Office Park.
- Sarah Randolph: Assisted with planting at Post Office Park.
- Sarah Showalter: Contributed to the planting efforts at Post Office Park.
- Bianca Jensen: Helped with planting at Post Office Park.
- Peter Hitch: Participated in planting at Post Office Park.
- Anne LaFrance: Volunteered in planting at Post Office Park (with Bruce Merry).
- Bruce Merry: Worked alongside Anne LaFrance in planting at Post Office Park.
- Teri Foster: Assisted with planting at Post Office Park (with Tim Foster).
- Tim Foster: Contributed to planting at Post Office Park alongside Teri.
- Kay Studebaker: Participated in the planting at Post Office Park.
- Sue Dosa: Helped plant at Post Office Park.
- Tory Schalkle: Volunteered in planting at Post Office Park (with Kelsey Schalkle).
- Kelsey Schalkle: Assisted with planting at Post Office Park alongside Tory.
- Jon Erickson: Contributed to planting at Post Office Park with his wife.
- Jon Erickson’s Wife: Helped with planting at Post Office Park alongside her husband.
- Lilly: Participated in planting at Post Office Park (with Alex and Poppy).
- Alex: Volunteered in planting at Post Office Park alongside Lilly and Poppy.
- Poppy: Contributed to planting at Post Office Park (with Lilly and Alex).
- Pat Broyles: Co-led the annual DIG IT/PULL IT projects for planting and removal of annuals.
- Cargill: Assisted in pulling garlic mustard and helped fund native plantings at the Big Woods edge.
- Lindsey Kaufmann: Contributed to pulling garlic mustard and helped with native plantings at the Big Woods edge.
Little Beach Clean-Up
- Ellie Ansari: Helped clean up Little Beach on a rainy morning before the new pier arrived.
- Ellie Ansari’s Husband: Assisted with the Little Beach cleanup.
- Jim McWethy: Participated in the cleanup efforts at Little Beach.
- Tim McCormick: Supported the setup of McComick’s Beachside by measuring the space and assisting with proposal development prior to council presentation.
Buckthorn Cleanup
- Brad Anderson, Lambert Brown and the Wayzata Football team
- Joel Papa: Recorded and photographed numerous volunteer activities and helped lead the Wayzata Football team’s efforts to pull buckthorn.
- Tom Pabst: Led the Wayzata Football team in removing invasive buckthorn from the Big Woods.
- Bill Berneking: Served as a team leader for the football team during buckthorn removal.
- Dan Gustafson: Helped lead the team in pulling invasive buckthorn.
- John Berryhill: Acted as a team leader in the buckthorn removal efforts.
- Dan Goodmundson: Assisted in leading the Wayzata Football team to remove buckthorn.
City Staff Support
- Dave Dudinsky: Provided ongoing support as a dedicated city staff member.
- Kathy Lerving: Offered steadfast support from city staff.
- Mike Kelly: Contributed assistance as part of the city staff.
- Kurt Klapprich: Helped out as a supportive city staff member on various projects.
Maple Tree Tapping Program
- Jack Amdal: Beyond his work with the Depot and buckthorn removal, he supported the Maple Tree Tapping program from day one.
- Cheryl Amdal: Has been an essential helper with the Maple Tree Tapping program since 2010, contributing to sap collection and maple syrup production.
Special Recognition for Lynn McCarthy, Mary Bader, and Joel Papa
As Merrily Borg Babcock steps back from her many years of service to Wayzata, she is quick to acknowledge the unsung heroes who played an integral role in bringing her community projects to life. Three individuals, in particular, stand out for their unwavering support and dedication: Lynn McCarthy, Mary Bader, and Papa.
“Lynn McCarthy has been involved in nearly every project that needed volunteers,” Babcock shared. “Whether it was cleaning the Little Beach, serving coffee to volunteers during the Post Office Park plantings, or even having conversations with the coach of the Wayzata Football team, her commitment to our community has been unparalleled.”
McCarthy’s contributions are just the tip of the iceberg. Mary Bader, Babcock noted, has also gone above and beyond in her volunteer work. “Mary has been more involved than most,” Babcock explained. “Her energy and passion have made a significant impact on the success of our efforts, and I’m incredibly grateful for her dedication.”
Papa, the photographer behind many community events, also deserves special recognition. His skill behind the camera has helped capture the essence of Wayzata’s projects, from community gatherings to environmental initiatives. “Papa has photographed most of our events,” said Babcock. “His work has allowed us to preserve and share the memories of these efforts for generations to come.”
These three individuals have been the backbone of numerous projects in Wayzata, each contributing in their own unique way to the city’s ongoing growth and preservation. As Babcock retires from her role on the Parks & Trails Board, she makes sure to highlight the vital role these volunteers played in bringing her vision to life. “Their contributions have made a lasting impact, and they deserve to be recognized for their hard work and dedication,” Babcock concluded.
