Volunteer Lisa Pepper says “Franconia is for Everyone”

Lisa Pepper is one of Franconia’s most charismatic volunteers. She’s been giving tours for five years, but has been visiting much longer. “I remember Franconia when it was down the road on Highway 8,” she shares. (The park moved to its current location in 2006). She spent decades bringing her kids and grandkids to the park before stepping up as a volunteer.

Giving tours at Franconia is a mutual experience—tour guides offer information about the art and artists, and visitors bring their unique perspectives. Lisa says, “People have such cool ideas on art, and to be able to share that and listen to it is just one of the huge benefits.”

Like Lisa, many people return to Franconia over and over to see what’s new and watch it change and evolve over Minnesota’s seasons. Lisa says, “I just feel very fortunate to be able to share it with other people and enjoy it myself.”

Because she’s been coming for so long, Lisa has an almost legacy memory of the park. “I remember Are You Down? [by Michael Richards] – I believe that at one time it was all colored fiberglass. It wasn’t as impressive as it is now; the bronze is very touching to me.” Following Richards’ death in 2001, Franconia raised funds to have Are You Down? recast in bronze, honoring his legacy and ensuring its permanence. This spring, Lisa attended Franconia’s celebration of Michael Richards on the 20th anniversary of his death. 

She has her old favorites, but what’s most exciting about Franconia is that it shifts and moves depending on what artists are around, what season it is, and what you notice. “Everywhere I look, even depending on the seasons I find new sculptures that I haven’t seen before,” Lisa shares.

“The Miyawaki Forest – that one really intrigues me, because [Lu Xu] planted all those trees and everything before she ever saw the finished product,” Lisa says. “It changes, every season it changes.” 

Lisa’s experiences at Franconia—both as a visitor and as a volunteer—reflect our mission to be an inclusive community that’s ever-evolving and inspired by nature. “It’s so well taken care of. Nature takes care of it, and people are very considerate,” Lisa says. “The people who come out to Franconia want to be here.” 

In short, “Franconia is for everyone.”