The city received a grant from the State of Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to improve the pollinator and wildlife habitat of woodland, grassland, and wetland buffer areas within the Marsh Creek/Savanna Oaks Park (north of Lake Road). The vegetation restoration project started in the fall of 2022 and will be completed by the fall of 2025.
Work in the winter months will consist of removal of invasive woody species, such as Buckthorn and Honeysuckle, followed by selective treatment. The cut invasive woody vegetation will be piled onsite and then later mulched. The spring, summer and fall months will focus on the native prairie restoration through selective removal and seeding. Site preparation during the spring months will include mowing or conducting a prescribed burn at the park.
The work may require temporary trail closures, which will be clearly marked.