8.3.B. PRSR 10-12-2005Item # 8.3.B.
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: October 6, 2005
SUBJECT: Potential Park Acquisition in NE Elk River
ITEM:
Potential Purchase of 20-acre pazcel in NE Elk River
BACKGROUND:
The owner of a twenty-acre pazcel on CR 21 (Brook Road) in NE Elk River has approached
Parks and Recreation Staff regarding the purchase of their properly for parkland. The
Director and Park Planner toured the properly and had the following observations.
• The property has an easy access and a high visibility entrance on CR 21
• The 20-acre parcel represents a microcosm of the geography and biology of Elk
River. There are oak woods, birch forest, wetlands, ponds, a cattail marsh, hay fields,
• The Trott Brook runs through the property.
• The NRI indicates that it contains moderate quality woodland with high restoration
potential.
• The SE portion of the property would be suitable for an athletic field
• The existing mowed trails provide a template for a paved trail system that could be
developed with minimal clearing.
Overall, staff believes that the multiple options for recreation on this site make it worth
considering.
Staff has commissioned an appraisal, and has encouraged the property owner to have their
own appraisal done as well. The appraisal has not been completed as of October 6, but if is
complete by the October 14`h Pazk Commission meeting staff will provide copies to
Commissioners. Staff has contacted the DNR about the grant potential of the property, and
believes that a grant is unlikely due the limited size of the property. The owner has indicated
a willingness to receive payments over a 5-year period.
A location map has been attached. The entrance to the property has a red livestock gate.
The property owner has given permission for staff and Park Commissioners to tour the
property. Commissioners have an oppomuiity to tour the property prior to the Park
Comtnission meeting on October. Contact Parks and Recreation Director Bill Maertz if you
need directions.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Provide Direction to staff as to whether to pursue negotiations with the property owner.
ATTACHMENTS:
Location Map
NRI Report on site 11-3N
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TRAILS LEGEND ^
EXISTING PAVED TRAIL /v//,lul^\v\
.~~~~~~~~. FUTURE TRAIL
Location Map EXISTING SIDEWALK
FUTURE SIDEWALK
City of •• ••• FUTURE WIDENED SHOULDER
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R1Vt',P Case Number. BARSODY PROPERTY
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~ ~~,, Community: 11-3N
i Community Type: Oak forest dry subtype
' Qualitative Rank: C -Moderate condition natural community
Additional Wetland(s) present
i Field Check Visited part of the site
~ Restoration Potential: High
MCBS Site: Biodiversity Threatened /
Endangered
~ Community Description:
~ This dry oak forest community is on an east-facing slope that descends in a series of
' broad terraces to a poor fen at the base of the slope. The patchy canopy is strongly
oak dominated and includes mostly pin. oak and bur oak. These generally have small
~ crowns and straight boles, indicating that the site has most likely always been forest.
1 Many of the pin oak have dead or dying branches along their trunk and within the
1 crown. This does not appear to be oat wilt, but may be a result of shade or other
factor. Clumps of paper birch are scattered through the site. The shrub/understory
1 layer is nearly continuous and in places makes walking through the site difficult. The
1 native prickly ash is common, and the non-native European buckthorn is present in
~ low levels. Ironwood is also common, and the native species hazel brush and
chokecherry are present in low levels.
The site was grazed historically, as evidenced by-the fencing around the site and the
altered ground layer composition. Native species dominate the ground level though
species that tend to increase in grazed areas are also present. Species encountered include
Pennsylvania sedge, Enchanters nightshade lopseed, and sweet Cicely. The latter are all bur-
fruited species that tend to be readily dispersed by livestock.
Overall the site is in moderate condition.
.Restoration Comments:
Community: 11-5N
Community Type: Poor fen
Qualitative Rank: C -Moderate condition natural community
Additional
Field Check Visited the edge of the site
Restoration Potential:
MCBS Site: Biodiversity Threatened /
Endangered
Community Description:
This community is a large wetland basin, surrounded by moderate to
City of Elk River, MN -Natural Resouce Inventory
Bonestroo Natural Resources, September 2004