[Mpls] Park Agenda and Eloise Butler update

[Svattheriver at aol.com]

I was able to go the Park Board and get more information about the Eloise  
Butler buffer issue and what is on the agenda. 
There were problems with getting the agenda posted online. It is now  posted.
There is a public hearing about the Saint Anthony Parkway Regional Park  
Master Plan Wed. July 6 at 5:30- this is an opportunity for the public to  comment 
about the plan.
For the Eloise Butler issue-
I want to thank Planning staff for their assistance with these issues and  
the approx. 60 pages of background material and suggested  recommendations.
 
>From what I understand the public can speak to the action item 4.1- the  
approval of staff recommendations at the 5:00 planning committee  meeting.
What is at issue is the balance of a nature conservancy, trails and  
buckthorn removal and the restoration of biodiversity. 
 The Recommendations:
"Reaffirm the Board's 1964 action declaring that the primary purpose for  the 
land surrounding Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary is that  
of a native conservatory AND that as a nature conservatory, the MPRB will work 
 to protect and restore biodiversity within Wirth Park and balance human  
recreational desires with ecological needs.
Recreational activities appropriate to this area include nature study,  
birding, hiking, walking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, environmental  
education, nature focused art activities, picnicking and others deemed  appropriate.
This action reaffirms that biking is not allowed in the native  conservancy."
 
"The action would direct staff to develop a preferred trail overlay for  this 
area integrated with an invasive species removal and ecosystem restoration  
plan for Wirth Park."
 
 
In 1964 the Park Board added territory adjacent to the wildflower garden to  
have these areas remain in their natural state.
 
After reading all the staff reports and documentation the thing that really  
strikes me are the problems of forest management and how "unhealthy" and  
degraded our urban forest in Wirth park has become. 
 
One letter about this issue noted the appalling condition from an  ecological 
perspective.
 
Buckthorn and invasive aggressive species are doing more harm to our urban  
forests than Dutch elm disease, but few are yet aware of how big a problem this 
 is.
 
Thanks,
Scott Vreeland    Seward
 
As a few folks have pointed out "Open time"  rules are now- you can  sign up 
before 4pm the day of the Park Board meeting, but rules still include  the 
following-
 
Open Time discussion is limited to items that are not scheduled for action  
by the Board on the agenda.