9.C.3. PRSR 12-10-2003 A4h, Item # 9.C.3.
City of
Elk
River
MEMORANDUM
TO: Park and Recreation Commission
FROM: Michele McPhers irector of Planning
DATE: December 10, 2003
SUBJECT: Royal Valley Park Update
Attached please find the written proposal for maintenance of the prairie plantings at Royal
Valley Park submitted by Prairie Restorations. This proposal needs to be discussed to
determine if this is a responsibility of Elk River Municipal Utilities or of the park dedication
fund.
Staff and members of the subcommittee overseeing the restoration will provide a verbal
update regarding the work to date at Royal Valley Park.
cc: Bryan Adams—Manager, Elk River Municipal Utilities
Councilmember Dietz
S:\PLANNING\Parks\Royal Valley\12 10 03 update.doc
December 4, 2003
City of Elk River
Attn: Dave Anderson
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
Re: Royal Valley Park
Dear Dave,
On Monday I visited Royal Valley Park with Mike Evenocheck. Mike relayed to me that
it is your request to receive a three year maintenance estimate for this project beginning
with the growing season of 2004. This 1.2 acre project includes the existing Prairie
Restorations restoration only. The following is a brief overview, including estimated
costs, of the work needed to ensure long term success for your new project.
2004
Summer management work will consist primarily of complete site mowing. This is
typical during the "germination year"of a newly restored prairie. The goal is to reduce
the canopy coverage created by annual and biannual weed species. Proper timing of
these mowings also ensures long term control of these plants by reducing the amount of
viable weed seed produced at the restored site. Usually the cutting height for the first
season will be approximately 5-8 inches.
2005
The first full growing season will probably require a mowing or possibly two, followed
by a more "target specific"hands-on approach to dealing with undesirable plants, while
reducing any negative impact on the newly emerging native plants. This hands-on
summer management work can be mechanical and/or chemical, depending on the species
we are trying to control or eradicate from the restored area.
2006
This may be our first opportunity to begin the growing season with a controlled burn
(sometime in late April or early May). Native herbaceous plants are adapted to the
benefits of fire, whereas European exotic species are not. Our experienced land
management staff uses controlled burns like any other management tool available to
them, and much effort is put forth to achieve optimum timing on the use fire. The
window of opportunity for implementing this work is small, however the benefits to the
restoration are huge and cannot be replicated in any other way.
In addition to the possible spring burn, summer management work would again be
necessary during the 2006 growing season. The land managers would begin dealing with
more of the long term perennial weed species, which may require some spot mowing and
spot herbicide application.
Cost estimates for the above mentioned work are as follows:
2004 Complete site mowings as needed up to $800, plus tax
2005 Mowings as needed& summer management work up to $1,050, plus tax
2006 * Spring burn $675, plus tax
Summer management work up to $1,200,plus tax
TOTAL up to $3,725, plus tax
This work is offered to you at a time and materials basis. You would pay only for the
work completed and associated costs with the exception of the spring burn(denoted with
an *). This would be the actual cost of the burn plus tax if applicable in your situation.
Enclosed is a management billing rates list to provide a breakdown of individual costs.
This three year management effort is a great start for your restoration. At Prairie
Restorations, Inc, we are committed to providing the proper management, while keeping
economics and ecology in mind. In the following years, we strongly encourage
continued monitoring and follow up maintenance as deemed necessary.
If you would like to proceed with the work as recommended,please sign the enclosed
management contract or feel free to call me with any questions. I look forward to
working with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Mike Hiltner
Land Management Supervisor