Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 10/11/2012

Home

1. Organization Name and Project Title: City of Ramsey's MAJESTY OF THE COMMONS 2. Project Purpose: In contrast to the `Tragedy of the Commons', this unified planting project engages the residents within this livable community in the communal care, education and ongoing stewardship of their shared park space named North Commons. The outcome will be a diverse array of trees that are well adapted to the Anoka Sand Plain for this new public space; and, the endeavor will also meet the Environmental Policy Board's strategic goal of implementing a 'mini -arboretum' showcasing species that perform well in sandy soils. Small, didactic placards will be installed adjacent to the individual species as on -going tools for public education. Additional, larger interpretive signs will be strategically placed throughout the park highlighting the many benefits trees provide. Complimenting the foresting effort will be a one-year scientific analysis of varying mixtures and depths of topsoil at the park, and their precise effectiveness of retaining water - utilizing integrated soil moisture sensors. The results of this review will provide quantitative data the City can use to establish topsoil specs for new landscapes (a critical issue within the Anoka Sand Plain). The combination of native trees and a comprehensive examination of topsoil requirements will better position both the City and its residents in a continuing movement toward more sustainable growth and development. 3. Project Location Description: The project will occur in North Commons, a park within Ramsey's pedestrian and transit oriented, master -planned community known as The COR. The park is just over seven (7) acres in size, located in the south central portion of the community and connects the higher density urban area with the existing larger, rural lot neighborhoods to the north and east. The northern and northeastern portions of the property are wetland with the remainder of the site being upland consisting of sandy soil (Hubbard-Nymore association). The western half of the site is fairly flat while the eastern portion slopes downward to the wetland area. 4. Document Public Ownership: The project site's legal description is Outlot D Ramsey Town Center 8th Add (see attached map). 5. Project Goals: Engage residents from the adjacent neighborhood and townhome associations, who have expressed their desire to initiate park improvements, in the place -making practice of planting trees to create an aesthetically pleasing, inviting and functional public space. The project will also serve as an educational tool for the community by showcasing species well adapted to the area, their growth characteristics (habit and form), and pertinent facts about the needs, benefits and care of trees (e.g. what is considered `adequate' watering for trees, retention of storm water, pruning needs). This project will provide living examples of tree species that perform well in sandy soils, which residents can see, touch and replicate as they landscape or reforest their property. The project will incorporate participation of a K-12 school, within walking distance of North Commons, to develop language for interpretive signage to highlight the benefit of trees and community/urban forests. Finally, the project will provide valuable, hands-on training for volunteers by an ISA Certified Arborist to ensure proper planting techniques are utilized and what constitutes critical short and long- term maintenance needs for trees. 6. Methods: City Staff will enhance the concept plan for North Commons by developing a diverse species palette and assigning planting locations within the park. hi the spring of 2012, City Staff will work with the principal and faculty of PACT Charter School to incorporate benefits of trees into lesson plans such that the students can quite literally develop the educational content for the placards and interpretive signs. In October of 2012, City Staff will prep the site, including pre -digging holes and placing trees with attendant soil work (pre and post planting). Volunteers, (assisted by City Staff) will plant the trees in October of 2012. Spring of 2013, the placards will be installed by City Staff