Fargo Residents Installed Art on All American Trail

Community members transformed the local trail with a new installation made from reclaimed natural materials.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Hiking

Screen-print poster illustration of a sculpture made from driftwood and bicycle parts on a grassy river trail. — Artist Pat Crary and local volunteers completed the Aquatic Forest installation, placing sculptures made from reclaimed materials along Fargo’s All American Trail. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you volunteer your time to improve or create art for a local public trail?

Artist Pat Crary and local volunteers have installed the Aquatic Forest, a collection of art pieces made from driftwood, bike parts, and shells, along Fargo's All American Trail North. The project follows a cleanup of Papacek Grove to bring creativity to the riverfront area.

Why it matters

Residents sought to enhance the trail's environment by bringing positive energy and artistic expression to the path. The installation serves as a community-driven effort to beautify the space alongside the Red River.

The All American Trail North spans 2.5 miles, stretching from Dike East to Lindenwood Park. The art installation, known as the Aquatic Forest, features arched portals constructed from bent willow branches gathered along the Red River.

The players

Pat Crary

Pat Crary is an artist who spearheaded the effort to clear trash from Papacek Grove and facilitate the community art installation.

The details

Pat Crary led two community art builds where families created sculptures from various materials including branches and paint. These pieces were placed within Papacek Grove after Crary cleared years of accumulated trash from the site.

The All American Trail North opened in the fall of 2025.
This report on the trail art project was published in September 2026.

Culture Shift

The project follows the nationwide rise of tactical urbanism and community-led placemaking by using local volunteerism to enhance public infrastructure. This trend reflects a broader societal movement where residents take direct action to reclaim and beautify neglected public spaces.

Trail users in Fargo can now experience the Aquatic Forest installation while walking or biking the 2.5-mile path between Dike East and Lindenwood Park. The cleanup of Papacek Grove provides a cleaner and more visually engaging environment for daily exercise and recreation.

The takeaway

Community-led projects can effectively revitalize neglected urban areas by turning public trails into unique, locally-inspired attractions. Residents can support these efforts by participating in future workshops or maintaining the cleanliness of local recreational spaces.