Construction crews began the installation of the new retaining wall at Hermann Heights. Workers were putting the first blocks of the east end of the new wall Saturday morning.

NEW ULM — The Kasota stone retaining wall at Hermann Heights Park is no more. Construction crews began removing the wall Monday, April 27, and had it removed by Saturday to start the installation of the new stones. Workers were putting the first blocks of the east end of the new wall Saturday morning.

The original Kasota stone walls on the hillside were erected in 1970 and were experiencing surface and sub-surface water-related problems requiring maintenance regularly.

In August, the city council approved a new wall design recommended by the Hermann Heights Hillside Stabilization Committee.

The new wall will be a three-tier design and feature a curved turn-in to match the Martin Luther College side of the street.

The old Kasota stone was hauled away to site by M.R. Paving to a designated site, but the company has allowed some residents to take the old stones.

Gigi Rysdahl was a fan of the old Kasota stone and plans to use some for a patio. Michael Shaneman recovered several Kasota stones and upcycled them for landscaping purposes.

Shaneman used the stones to create a stone bench in his front yard. The bench was placed facing Garden Street giving anyone seated on it a perfect view of Hermann Monument. It is a simple reminder of the past looking toward the future.