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The current work (Phase III) is tackling 27 acres of prairie restoration in the southwest and central portions of the park, including the main spillway swale. All of the woody invasive removal and pile burning is now complete, and this spring crews will continue to prep the degraded grassland areas by removing the non-native, invasive vegetation. In late May or early June, crews will drill seed a mixture of about 30 species of native grasses and wildflowers that will improve habitat for pollinators and wildlife, water quality, and park aesthetics.

The tree installation is a side-project of this third phase of work. FMR had some additional funding, which we’re using to have our contractor (Applied Ecological Services) do a small streambank stabilization project, which will help stymie erosion and decrease sedimentation into the river. They’re using spruce and cedar trees removed during the tree clearing step and anchoring them into an eroded section of the bank, helping to divert flows away from the bank and stabilize the existing slope. The spruce and cedar trees will also have an additional benefit of providing shoreline habitat for fish.

If you would like to see the restoration plan, you can find that on the City of Hastings webpage. www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/ city-departments/parks-recreation/ park-projects