2017-05-09 Joint Council-Parks Commission PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
JOINT MEETING AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
May 9, 2017 – 6:30 pm
Mendota Heights City Hall
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
a. City Council
b. Park and Recreation Commission
3. Discussion Items
a. Parks Funding Status
• Short Term—Special Parks Fund
• Long Term
b. Capital Improvements Projects
c. Off Leash Dog Park
d. Historic Pilot Knob
e. Organized Sports Needs
f. Joint Facilities Update
g. Recreation Programming
4. Other Discussion Items
a. Natural Resources Commission
5. Adjourn
DATE: May 9, 2017
TO: Mayor and City Council
Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Sloan Wallgren, Recreation Coordinator
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
SUBJECT: Joint Meeting Discussion Items
COMMENT:
A. Short and Long Term Funding Sources
a. Short Term—The main source of funding for Parks projects is the Special Parks
Fund. The City increased the amount of the park dedication fee in 2015 from
$2700, to $4000 per unit of housing. The current balance in the Special Parks
Fund is $650,000--the At Home Apartments (Mendota Plaza) building permit
generated $511,400 of that balance. Other apartment projects which are
contemplated will provide an immediate one time source of cash
b. Long Term—The main challenge is that there is currently no sustained source of
funding. Much of the Mendota Heights Parks system was funded through a
referendum in the late 1980’s; the Par Three purchase was also approved by a
referendum in the 1990’s.
If the general fund levy is to be a source of funding, there are two current bond
levies related to parks which will expire in the foreseeable future.
Par 3 Bonds—Expires 2023 Annual Amount Levied: Approximately $267,000
Ice Arena Levy—Through 2018. Annual Amount Levied: $65,000
The City Council could choose to continue to levy at those amounts if wanted to
keep a source of income going into the parks. That could keep the levy flat.
page 2
B. Capital Improvement Projects
Attached are two pages showing anticipated Capital Improvements in parks, plus
additional information which are specifically for trails.
There are currently 27 miles of trail in the City. As shown in the attachments, trail
rehabilitation is anticipated to cost approximately $550,000. To fill gaps in the current
system would take an additional $321,000. Finally, annual maintenance for trails should
be budgeted at about $15,000, or $72,000 over the next five years.
C. Off Leash Dog Park
When the Off Leash Dog Park was approved in 2015, the intent of that City Council was
that it would be an interim use, and for a 5 year timeframe. By the end of that time, other
alternatives were to have been explored, including a possible partnership with the City of
St. Paul. The park opened in the Fall of 2015.
Originally, it was intended by the City Council that there would be a low level of
resources attributed to this park. However, the demand associated with the use of that
park has slowly grown. Water was to have been provided by a tank which would be
refilled, but that would be difficult to provide and stay fresh. A chain link fence was
conctructed, but there have also been requests for better turf, control of poison ivy, a sun
shade structure, and better accessibility.
Another issue relates to mowing and maintenance—originally, the park was to be mowed
only a couple of times per season. However, the users have requested more, and that is
now every other week. A wider gate is needed to facilitate the use of a larger mower.
It should also be noted that more frequent mowing has led to a lack of grass or ground
cover in the more heavily used areas, resulting in dusty or muddy conditions.
Finally, dog waste cleanup has been a problem. Park users have been generally good
about the solids (which are deposited into a barrel, which is emptied by the City).
However, the residential neighbors note a dog urine smell, which is a problem for them.
D. Historic Pilot Knob
For several years the City has worked with Great River Greening and the Pilot Knob
Preservation Society to preserve and maintain the Pilot Knob (Oheyawahi) area of the
City. In April, 112 acres of publically and privately-owned lands in and around Pilot
Knob were designated to be placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Great River Greening has received grant monies for restoration and management. Grants
were received from the Trust for Public Lands, which helped to acquire properties from
private owners. The City received a direct grant for burying overhead power lines, and
page 3
other agencies assisted with grants for additional parcel purchases for preservation. It is
up to the City to provide funding for things such as portable toilets, the printing of
brochures, repairs to gates in the parking area, repairs for vandalism-caused damage, and
the like. The City recently received a quote for $2000 to replace the currently-damaged
entrance gate, and to place boulders to better designate and control parking. An
estimated $5000-$10,000 should be provided annually from the City budget for the Pilot
Knob area; Pilot Knob expenses currently compete with other Parks maintenance
demands.
A discussion about an appropriate level of funding is requested. Wiley Buck of Great
River Greening will be in attendance at the joint meeting to answer questions.
E. Organized Sports Needs
A. The City of Mendota Heights currently coordinates with the Mendota Heights
Athletic Association to offer athletic fields for the following youth sports: baseball,
softball, soccer, and flag football. Recently, the Mendota Heights Athletic
Association has begun to work with the City of West St. Paul and the West St. Paul
Youth Athletic Association to combine some of their smaller baseball programs and
share field space, particularly at the newly renovated Harmon Park Ball Fields. The
need for baseball and softball fields seems to have been filled due to the cooperation
of the youth organizations and the cities.
B. There still is a desire for a large athletic complex that can accommodate youth
football, and the growing numbers of soccer and lacrosse players. These programs
are currently being offered at parks and schools throughout Mendota Heights.
Between Mendota Heights and West St. Paul there appear to be enough facilities to
accommodate these sports, however there is a want from community members for
one large complex that could host all of the activities to help create and promote a
stronger community feeling.
C. Indoor gym space is still in high demand in Mendota Heights. The Mendota Heights
Athletic Association uses indoor gym space for basketball and their newly added
volleyball program. Currently, the Association rents gyms space at all eight ISD 197
schools, and St. Thomas Academy for its basketball program. If additional gym
space became available it could be utilized by the Association for basketball and
volleyball, as well as by the city for adult recreation opportunities which are lacking
during the winter months due to lack of indoor space.
page 4
F. Joint Facilities Update
There exist some joint facilities, or jointly-funded facilities—the ice arena in West St.
Paul, for which the City of Mendota Heights is contributing $65,000 annually for 4 years,
and will end in 2018. There is also an annual contribution of $18,000 to $20,000 going
towards toward the maintenance of fields at Henry Sibley HS. That arrangement is
through 2030.
The Cities of West St. Paul, and Mendota Heights, and ISD 197 have been meeting
monthly since February of this year to discuss whether there are opportunities to
cooperatively build or operate facilities for recreation which might meet the needs of the
school, and the community. Several of Mendota Heights’ elected officials and staff have
attended these meetings. The Joint Meeting will provide an opportunity share what has
been discussed to date, and provide an opportunity to have the attendees of the meeting
share their thoughts about the prospect of collaborative partnerships for joint facilities.
G. Recreation Programming
A. The Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Department plans, coordinates and staffs
the following programs: Adult Softball Leagues, Adult Golf Leagues, Junior Golf
Leagues & Camps, Summer Playground Program, Fishing Derby, Teen Field Trips
and our Tennis Program.
The Department also offers programs in collaboration with neighboring cities in an
effort to share workloads, create savings and increase participation. Below is a list of
programs that are currently offered in conjunction with the neighboring cities:
City of West St. Paul-field trips, tennis program, sports camps, skateboard camps,
Princess Ball, and the Fishing Derby.
City of South St. Paul- field trips, Jr. Golf Leagues, Safety Camp and the Princess
Ball.
City of Eagan - Jr. Golf Leagues & Camps, Adult Golf Leagues and the Puppet
Wagon.
We would like some direction from the Joint Meeting participants as to whether there is a
need or desire for additional programming for residents, or further collaboration with
neighboring communities?
B. In past years Senior Programming was offered through Tri-District Community
Education, and Dakota County at Thompson Park Activity Center. In recent months
staff has been working with Tri-District to offer some programs for seniors in
Mendota Heights. The programs were offered either at the Par 3 Golf Course or
page 5
Mendota Elementary, and consisted of cribbage, scrabble or pickleball. Participation
in these programs was small; however, there was some interest.
Question for the participants: Should staff continue partnering to offer senior
programming or should that be left to Tri-District Community Education?
Mark McNeill Sloan Wallgren
City Administrator Recreation Coordinator
page 6
5/2/2017 Special Parks Fund
Balance as of May 02, 2017 $650,000
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Revenue -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$
Hockey Boards - Friendly Hills Park 27,000.00$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$
Reroof Park Pavilions 28,000.00$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$
Basketball Court - Mendakota Park 32,000.00$
Warming House - Friendly Hills Park -$ 41,000.00$ -$ -$ -$ -$
Tennis Court - Marie Park -$ 15,000.00$ -$ -$ -$ -$
Ballfield Fence-Victoria Highlands $18,000.00
Lights at Friendly Hills & Wentworth Hockey -$ -$ 70,000.00$ -$ -$ -$
Tennis Court - Wentworth Park 15,000.00$
Warming House - Wentworth Park -$ -$ -$ 41,000.00$ -$ -$
Tennis Courts- Friendly Hills Park $15,000.00
Total Expenses 87,000.00$ 74,000.00$ 85,000.00$ 56,000.00$ -$ -$
Account Balance $650,000 576,000.00$ 491,000.00$ 435,000.00$ $435,000.00 $435,000.00
page 7
PARK IMPROVEMENTS
Civic Center Ball Field Mendakota Park
1999-Fencing $11,600 1998-Batting cages $17,554
2003-Fencing $7,126 2002-netting $22,337
2007-Fence & cages $42,411 2003-Play equipment/rubber surface$17,238
Totals $61,137 2010-Play equipment $47,000
2013-Play equipment refurfacing $70,541
Friendly Hills Park 2013-Wood fibers $9,617
1998-Hockey baords $12,630 2016-New Basketball Court $32,000
1998-Hockey rink paving $32,073 Totals $216,207
1998-Fencing $11,290
2002-Play equipment $19,891 Rogers Lake Park
2009-Play equipment $61,619 2001-Play eqiopment $24,645
2016- Hockey Boards $26,000 2004-Skatepark $25,503
Totals $163,503 2005-Skatepark $27,245
2007-Skatepark $5,265
Hagstrom-King Park 2008-Play equipment $54,245
2003-Play equipment $39,400 2012-Skatepark $8,000
2009-Backstop/Netting $23,870 Totals $144,903
Totals $63,270
Valley Park
Ivy Hills Park 2002-Play equipment $25,670
2002-Tennis court repair $10,912 2006-Play equipment $19,190
2007-Play equipment $47,489 2007-Play equipment $19,891
2015- SportCourt for Tennis $62,000 2007-Tennis court surface $44,672
Totals $120,401 Totals $99,423
Kensington Park Valley View Heights Park
2011-Playequipment $53,250 2006-Play equipment $36,014
Totals $53,250 Totals $36,014
Marie Park Victoria Highlands Park
2001-Hockey boards $11,275 2009-Play equipment $50,723
2001- Hockey rinkn lights $15,290 Totals $50,723
2001-Play equipment $17,906
2002-Resurface tennis courts $9,028 Wentworth Park
2005-Play equipment $38,532 2003-Tennis court resurface $10,424
2015- Warming House $35,000 2005-Play equipment $44,998
Totals $127,031 2015-Hockey Boads $26,000
Totals $81,422
page 8
I-35EDODD RDDELAWAREAVEHWY 13
H W Y13HW
Y
5
5
MENDOTA HEIGHTS RDLEXINGTON AVEONEILL RDLILYDALE RDWENTWORTH AVE W
VICTORIARDD
ST OTTAWA AVEI-35E RAMP
ANNAPOLIS ST W
BUTLER AVE W
SIBLEYMEMORIALHWYPILOT KNOB RDCHEROKEE AVEAR
G
E
N
T
A
T
R
L
W
EMERSON AVE W
LAKE DR494 RAMPNORTHLAND DR
MORELAND AVE W
THOMPSON AV E W
S A L E M C H U RCHRD
WAG
O
N
W
H
E
E
L
T
R
L
BETTY LN
1ST AVE
RUBY DR
TRAPP RD
4 T H STCHARLTON RDBLUEBILL DR
DECORAH LN CHIPPEWA AVEI-494 RAMP APACHESTJAMES RDHUNTER LNLILAC LNTIMMY STCHERI LN
NORTHWEST PKYPAGEL RDSOUTH LNI-94 RAMP
DODDRDRAMP
LONEOAK
PKYTRAILRDBLUE GENTI
A
N
R
D
W
ATERS
DR AZTECLNTHERESA STC STWESLEY LN
WILLIAM CTENTERPRISEDR
PRIVATE ROAD
2 N D S TI-49 4 LOOPCHE RRYHILLRD
RAMPMEDALLION DREAGLERIDGERDC ELIADRALICE LNDAKOTA DR
COMMER
C
E
DR
PARK LN494 LOOP
UPPE R C O L O N IA L D R
DODD RD LOOP
HWY 110 LOOP
EXECUTIVE DRI-35E LOOP CHARDELCTOVERLOOK LNARVINDRORME ST W
494 RAMP
FRONTAGE ROAD
I-
3
5
E
R
A
M
P
H W Y 1 3
494 LOOPI-494 RAMP
H
W
Y
5
5
I-494
I-94 RAMPI-494 LOOP
I-35E
RAMPI-35E RAMPHUBERDRWACHTLER AVEWACHTLERAVEL
E
M
A
Y
LAKE
RD WALSHLNDIANE
R
D
3RD AVESYLVANDALERD LAURAST2ND AVE
CENTRE POINTECUR
E
S
T G S
T
HILLTOP RD WARRIORDRDOUGLAS RD
DOUGLAS RD
F
S
T
CHEYENNELN
C
OPPERFIE
L
D
D
R
VICTORIACUR
EMERSON AVEEMERSONAVEDO RSETRDBUTLER AVE
SUMMITLNSUMMIT LNOVERLOOK RD
CALLAHA N P L
KNOB RDMEA
R
S
A
V
E
STAPLES AVE
EVERGRE E N KNLBACHELOR AVE
ORCHARD PL
K EOKUKLN
PR IVATERO
A
D
PRIVATE ROAD
IV
Y
HILL
DR
3R D STPUEBLOLNAVANTI DR
FIELDSTONEDRVANDALL STM E N D OTARDRAMP2ND ST
FOX PLACACIADRCONC ORD WAY
LINDEN ST
MARKETS T
PONDVIEWDRMOHICANLN
B
L
U
E
W
A
T
E
R
R
D
MIRIAMST
MEDORARDSWAN DRWINSTON CT
OC
A
L
A
L
N
GRIEVEGLN
ABBE Y WAYSUTT
O
NLNTWINCIRCLEDRVI
S
I
TATIONDRLILAC RDSOMERSETRDMINA ST
4TH AVE
PONTIACPL
LEM AYAVE
MONET CT
HID D E N C REEKTRL
ACACIA BLVD
S T A N W I CH LN
IVY FALLS AVE
COLESHIRE LN
PATRICIA STKAY AVE
CULLIGAN LN HIAWA T H A AVE
WOO D RIDGEDRMENDAK O TA DR
LONEOAKPTFARMDALE
R
D
BEEBEAVE
GLENHILLRDFREEWAY R DSVIEW LNHAMPSHIREDR
S TRATFORDRD
D ODGELN
SUNSET LN
WILLOWLN
HAVERTONRDKNOLLWOODLNK
NOL
L
WO
O
D
L
N
RID
G
E PL
A PACHE L N
LOCKWOODDRFREEWAY RD N
CENTRE POINT E D R
CREEK AVE SPR IN G STCULLEN AVE HINGHAMCI
RSWANCTMAPLE PA R KDRMA P L EPARKDRLANSFORD LNBROOK SIDE LN
BOURN L
N SIMAR D ST
PRIVATE RD
CAREN RD
VAIL DR
ASHLEYLN
SIBLEYME
MORI
A
L
RA
MP
FREMONT AVE
VALLEYCURVER D
STON E R DKIRCHNERAVEFAROLNARCADIADRJUNCTION LN
WATERSEDG E TERHIGH
POIN
T
RDNAVAJOLN
JOHN ST
SOUTH PLAZA DR
ROGERSCTLONDO
N
RDSTONEBRIDGERDK ENDO N LN
ROUN D HILLRDNASHUAL
N
APACHECTIVY LNHIGHVI E W CIRSBR ID G EVIE W C TPONDHAVENLN WHITFIELDDRPARKP
LACEDR
VALENCOURCIRESTHERLNCLEMENT STCLEMENT STPO
NDCIREPONDCIRWDOW
NIN
G
S
T
ARBORCTHAV E N V I E W C T
LEMAYLAKEDR CASCADELNBENTTREEL
NROGERS AVEKRESSIN AVELAKEVIEW AVE DIEGOLNCYGNET LNPARK CIRGL
ENTORORDCENTREPOINTEBLVDNATURE WAYSIBLEY CT RIDGEWOODDRORCHARD C IR
CO NDONCTMAPLE STCROWNPOIN
T
D
R
VALLEY LN
HIGHVIE W C IR N
L O W E R C O L O N IA L D R
NATUREVIEWLNWHITE O
A
K
S
D
RNORMALN
KING S L E Y C IR N
ORCHARD HL
NINA CT
PRESERVE PATH
MAINSTEAGAN WOODS DRWESTVIEWTERHIL
L
T
OPCT
OAKSTMARY ADELE AVE
DEER RUN TRL
STOCKBRIDGERDPUEBLO DRFUR LONG AVE
KINGSLEY CIR S
DARLA CT
C LARE
M
ONTDRMENDAKOTA CT
OCALA CTHOKAH AVE
BARBARA CT
LAKEAU
G
U
S
T
ADRHERI
TAGEDRF O X W OODLNMAYFIELD HEIGHTS RDELLEN ST
BROMPTON
PLIVYF A L LS CT
GA
R
D
E
N
L
N
STONEBRID G E L N
SUTCLIFFC I R
BEDFORDCTHAZEL CTWES L E Y C T
MONETLNPAMELALNHUNTER CT
BROOKFIELDLNVICTORY AVE
KINGSLEY C TR
O
LLINGGRE ENCURBLUFF CIR
HAMPSHIRECTHIGHRIDGECIR
DEWERFF ST
STONEBRIDGECTDEER TRAIL PT
WILSHIRECTQUAIL R
I
DGECI
RVERONICA LN ADELINE CTMAGER CT
LAURA CT
MAPLE PARK CT
S
YLVANDALE
CTOXFORDC
TVICTORIA CT
NATURE VIEW CTGRYC CTHEATHER CTBWANA CT FALLS VIEW CTWINTHROPCTDOUGLASCTRAE CTJAMES C
T
WEST CIRCLECT
PONDHAVENCIRBOARDWALKWAGON WHEEL CTKNOLLWOOD
C
T
CA
R
E
N
C
T
CROWN CIR SOMERSET CTCROWN C
T
MORSON CIRWINSTON CIRMEDORA CT
MAYFIELD
COVENTRYCTDEER TRAIL
CT
WIN
D
W
O
O
D
C
T
K
A
R
L
H
.
P
L
TOM THUMB BLVD
POND
V
I
E
W
C
T
WESTVIEW CIR
SPRINGCREEK CIR
FIELD
S
T
O
N
E
C
T
HAVERTON CIR
SYLVANDALE C
T
S
HIGH POINT CTPOND VIEW TERMENDOTAHWY 110
H W Y 1 1 0 PRIVATE ROADPRIVATE ROAD
HWY13VALLEYCURVERDJUPITER DRHEIGHTS LN
VICKI LNRIVE
R
S
I
D
E
L
N
ASPEN WAYBIRCH CTHEIGHTS CIRB L U E G ENTIANRDNORT
H
L
A
N
DDRDELAWARE AVEDELAWARE AVEMARIE AVE
MOHICAN CT
D
ST
CANTON CTDODDRDDODDRDDODDRDDODDRDLEXINGTONAVEMARIE AVE
MENDOTA HEIGHTS RD
PERRON RD
PILOT KNOB RDCity ofMendota
City ofLilydale
West St. PaulSunfish LakeEaganEagan
Lake
A
u
g
u
s
t
aL
a
k
e
L
e
M
ay Rogers LakeGun Club Lake FriendlyMarshPickerelLakeMississippiRiver SomersetGolf Course(Private)
ResurrectionCemetery
City Halland Police
Public WorksGarage
Fire Hall
Mendakota Golf Course(private)
St. ThomasAcademy
Visitation
HenrySibleySeniorHigh
MendotaElem.
Friendly HillsMiddle School
Par 3 (Public)
AcaciaParkCemetery
Vento's View(Wildlife Viewing Station)RamseyCountyPark
ÊÚ
ÊÚ
Scenic Overlook(Dakota County)St. Peter'sChurch
ME
N
D
O
T
A
B
R
I
D
G
E
MinnesotaRiverSomersetElementarySchool
DodgeNature Center
^
^BIGRIVERSREGIONALTRAILInt
e
r
s
t
a
t
e
I
-
3
5
E
Br
i
d
g
e FUTURE BIG RIVERS REGIONAL TRAILLE
M
A
Y
S
H
O
R
E
S
D
R
Trail Improvement andMaintenance Plan 2018-2023Existing Trail System
May 1, 2017
City ofMendotaHeights00.5
Miles
Legend
Off Street Bituminous Trail (6' to 8' wide) Maintenance Needed
Off Street Bituminous Trail (6' to 8' wide)
On Street Trail Connections (Wide Shoulders)
Gravel Trail / Natural Grass Trail
Proposed City Trail (2017-2018)
Proposed Regional Trail By Others
Concrete Sidewalk (Private)
Identified Trail Gap
Parks/Open Space
page 9
TRAIL IMPROVEMENT & MAINTENANCE PLAN 2018-2023
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
SUMMARY OF TRAIL PROJECT COSTS AND MAINTENANCE NEEDS
Project Name Trail LF Trail Rehabilitation Identified Trail Gaps Maintenance Needs Total
Center Pointe Curve Trail Rehabilitation 3920 $89,091 $89,091
Dodd Road Trail Rehabiltation 1240 $28,182 $28,182
Lexington Avenue Trail Rehabilitation 980 $22,273 $22,273
Marie Avenue Trail Rehabilitation 6990 $158,864 $158,864
Mendota Heights Road Trail Rehabilitation 6360 $144,545 $144,545
Northland Drive Trail Rehabilitation 1880 $42,727 $42,727
Pilot Knob Road Trail Rehabilitation 2080 $47,273 $47,273
Somerset Elementary Trail Rehabilitation 740 $16,818 $16,818
Lexington Avenue (b/t Wagon Wheel & Tom Thumb) 2230 $253,409 $253,409
Sibley Memorial Hwy (b/t Hwy 13 & Overlook) 600 $68,182 $68,182
Trail System Five Year General Maintenance $72,000 $72,000
Total $549,773 $321,591 $72,000 $943,364
* 20% Indirect Costs Included in Project Totals
page 10
Leslie Pilgrim
1704 Vicki Lane
Mendota Heights, MN
55118
May 3, 2017
Mayor Neil Garlock
Council Members:
Ultan Duggan
Jay Miller
Joel Paper
Liz Petschel
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
Greetings, All:
Over the past several years I have, with growing concern, watched the ongoing deterioration of our
precious Mendota Heights natural areas. With this letter, I am urging all of you to take a deeper look at
our natural areas and consider whether there has been adequate stewardship of these resources. The
objective of my letter is not to point fingers or poke holes in what has or has not been done in our parks.
I have much respect for our city’s hardworking employees and government, and staff and resources are
limited. Rather, I am encouraging the council to consider an invigorated commitment to its responsibility
as stewards of our increasingly important—and deteriorating—wild spaces.
Mendota Heights is blessed with over 250 acres of parks (excluding Pilot Knob). I am estimating half (or
more) of this acreage is comprised of natural areas—wetlands and woodlands. I am grateful to those
who had the foresight (some of whom I remember) early in this city’s founding who worked hard to
carve out these green spaces within a rapidly growing community. These areas make our community
unique. Unfortunately, wild spaces no longer remain wild on their own. As you are all no doubt aware,
invasive species have overwhelmed our natural areas. A good example of almost-complete degradation
is Valley Park, south of Marie Avenue. I think even the untrained eye would recognize this as an example
of a once natural area overrun by invasive species.
Areas that are dominated by a non-native monoculture of invasive species (in our community, like many
others, this is burdock, garlic mustard, buckthorn, reed canary grass, hybrid cattails, smooth brome,
Siberian elm, Tartarian honeysuckle, and more) not only become physically degraded, they become
sterile—devoid of the nutrition and habitat necessary to sustain much wildlife. What is particularly
alarming about understory infestations of invasive species is that they cut-off processes that need to
naturally take place. Take a walk through the beautiful white pine grove by the tennis courts in Valley
Park and make note of the absence of white pine seedlings, small or mid-sized trees. Ditto for the rest of
the park. Without a functional understory, as the tree canopy starts to die out, so dies the forest. Walk
further down the path into Valley Park and note the fallen trees and the lack of natural understory ready
to fill in the void. Losing ash trees in our wooded areas throughout our Mendota Heights parks will
accelerate this degradation.
page 11
A few years after all of the trees had finally been removed by Xcel Energy under the powerline in Valley
Park, I watched burdock and other invasives fill-in underneath the lines. And buckthorn began to form
thickets on the hillside. I presumed there was a plan for this area as these invasive species would
encroach upon and further stress Valley Park. Upon inquiry, I learned there was no plan other than
Xcel’s mowing under these lines every four years. However, I was informed there was a natural
resources plan for the entire park system that had been completed in 2002 by Barr Engineering. Reading
this plan illustrated to me opportunities lost. One recommendation in the plan indicated removal of
garlic mustard in the northern segment of Valley Park where it was just beginning to appear. Today,
garlic mustard is abundant throughout the park.
At this point I must pause and state that all of the above is being stated not to lay blame. Our city does
not have staff natural resources expertise. We have a predominantly public works focus. I understand
much has been done to try to preserve precious old growth oak groves in Valley Park (I have been a
volunteer with Great River Greening in these endeavors). There has been habitat restoration done at
Rogers Lake and some native plantings in Ivy Falls Park. Funds have been budgeted. Grants have been
written. No doubt (Pilot Knob aside), there have been other large-scale restoration and stewardship
efforts of which I am unaware. My intent is to point out that our natural resources are, in my
observation, reaching a tipping point. Without a “game plan”—a plan that lays out goals and intended
outcomes, and the funding and tactics needed to achieve objectives—our natural areas will not be there
for future generations.
Perhaps the above-mentioned garlic mustard patch was indeed tended to. But there was no follow-up.
Or, we did not have the resources available to commit to scouting out for re-emergence. Or, perhaps
the suggestion was not acted upon. We don’t know. What the garlic mustard and the “tree removal
without a plan in the Xcel corridor” scenarios illustrate is a need for a formal natural resources strategic
plan for our park system. Based on this plan, the city can focus attention on actionable priorities in
natural areas throughout the city.
In light of your upcoming discussions with the Parks and Recreation Commission, and understanding
that budgets are limited and our staffing is lean, I hope you feel the below items merit further thought
and action:
1) Invest in a new Natural Resources Management Plan for the city of Mendota Heights. This plan will
examine our primary natural areas and suggest where the “greatest good” can be done with city
resources. Some areas are no longer manageable and cannot reasonably be restored and stewarded.
High priority areas—old growth oak groves and various wetlands, for example—would be identified as
focus areas that deserve funding. This plan will provide a realistic structure for where funds, city
employees, contracted management, and (hopefully in the future) volunteer power should be devoted.
A professional plan will help optimize resources, focus efforts, and introduce new thinking in how to
manage stressed green spaces. For example, prescribed burns and/or grazing could be effective
management tools to consider. I would encourage the city to seek out a firm that is well versed in a wide
range of natural resources management issues, as well as natural resources strategic planning.
page 12
2) Examine the adequacy of the line-item amounts the city budgets annually for invasive species
removal, stewardship, and tree/plant materials in light of the deteriorating condition of our natural
areas.
3) Evaluate natural resource needs when allocating park dedication fees from new developments.
4) Explore the formation of a five-person Environmental and Natural Resources Commission. This
commission will be tasked with offering input, assistance, and creative thinking on a range of issues such
as education and outreach, stormwater runoff, recycling, best practices, as well as a wide range of
natural resources issues.
5) Consider hiring a part-time, seasonal volunteer coordinator. Based on tactics laid out in the new
Natural Resources Management Plan, and with input from the Natural Resources Commission, this new
employee would be responsible for volunteer community outreach, relationship-building, volunteer
recruitment, and the timing of natural resources community events (e.g., “buckthorn bash,” garlic
mustard pulls, burdock removal, seedling plantings, native plantings maintenance, etc.). In conjunction
with this individual, event planning and implementation could be carried out by an experienced group
such as the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners, who could offer a community
volunteer educational experience at events.
6) Consider an Adopt-A-Park program for our smaller parks. Start with a pilot program in one park.
7) Explore collaboration in the management of Valley Park. Dakota County comes to mind.
Cities large and small across the metro and throughout the county face issues similar to ours. We are
not unique. And communities are constrained by limited resources. But, in my volunteer work
throughout the metro, I am encouraged by the energy and commitment communities devote to their
natural areas. I know we all treasure the remaining green spaces in this community. I would like to see
these values reflected in a heightened commitment to our natural areas.
Thank you for reading this in advance of your session with the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Best Regards,
Leslie Pilgrim
cc: Steve Goldade Michael Toth
Pat Hinderscheid Ryan Ruzek
Ira Kipp
Bob Klepperich
Stephanie Brod Levine
David Miller
page 13