Natural resource restoration in Minnetonka parks
In a time when many suburban communities are nearly fully developed and natural habitats are becoming uncommon, Minnetonka continues to actively pursue natural resource management and restoration in its parks.
Approximately 260 acres in Minnetonka have undergone initial restoration and are being actively managed. Of those, 190 acres are in six large parks: Lone Lake, Purgatory, Hilloway, Victoria Evergreen, Big Willow, and the Civic Center. More than thirteen new acres were added in 2007.
An ecological, system-based approach to natural resource restoration and management is used in Minnetonka. General goals are to improve species diversity and ecosystem health; preserve natural and historic integrity; stabilize soils; and establish partnerships among staff, citizen volunteers, and agencies to continue sustainable programs.
So, what’s new with natural resource restoration?
Protecting natives
Have you seen colored ribbon flagging around plants in the parks? White and yellow ribbon indicate remnant native plants to save and protect; blue paint and flagging indicate invasive species to be removed.
Deer exclosures
In the fall of 2005, deer “exclosure” test plots were established in Lone Lake, Big Willow, and Victoria Evergreen parks. These fenced 30′ x 30′ areas are surrounded by posts and black synthetic mesh. New native plants, including dogwoods, hazelnut, choke cherry and nannyberry, were planted in 2006. Plants in unprotected plots will be compared to those inside the exclosures to compare species success under different growing conditions
Burning
Woods and prairie were burned in Lone Lake Park in late November to control invasive species and invigorate native plants. Deer exclosure test plots were avoided.
New buckthorn control sites, techniques
Crews are busy cutting new areas of buckthorn at the Minnetonka Civic Center, Lone Lake parking drive, Big Willow woods west of the soccer field, and the city-owned woods west of Burwell House. Public works staff are clearing invasive species and improving sightlines and safety along trails in Purgatory, Kinsel, and Covington parks, the Opus complex, and along Minnetonka Boulevard near Minnehaha Creek.
New buckthorn control techniques are being tried on these sites, with some buckthorn being used onsite for wood chip mulch or erosion control on slopes. Even after buckthorn has been removed, seedlings continue to grow, so ongoing maintenance is essential. Contractors are spot spraying and cutting invasive re-growth during critical periods of each growing season. Since not all parks are being restored at this time, volunteer help will be critical to the success of these ongoing restoration projects.
Volunteers needed
New volunteer programs are expanding. New volunteers will be involved in micro-managing areas with valuable remnant native plant species. Volunteers will plant; find native plants to “release” from buckthorn and other invasive competitors; install cages around special remnant plants to protect them from deer and rabbit browsing; collect seeds to directly sow in weed-free areas, and monitor parks for garlic mustard and other pesky plants. Volunteers can be matched to a park close to their home. To volunteer, call Janet Larson at 952.988.8423.
