HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 03.fMemorandum
To: Mayor and City Council
From: John Hennen, Parks & Recreation Director
Mac Cafferty, Environmental Resources Manager
Date: March 24, 2016
Copy: Zach Johnson, City Engineer
Subject: Valley Lake Park Pollinator Garden
City of Lakeville
Parks & Recreation
Background
In the fall of 2015, Lakeville's Rotary Club reached out to City staff regarding the desire to
assist in the financing and planting of a pollinator garden within the City. Butterflies, bees
and other pollinators are essential to the eco -system and the food we eat. A pollinator
garden can support these vital insects with the establishment of a variety of native plants that
bloom throughout the summer and provide essential resources during their life cycles.
Native plants are crucial because they provide the pollen that insects need to survive along
with the habitat that is needed.
During the park tours with the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee (PRNRC)
that occurred late last year, Committee Members and Staff identified possible locations for a
pollinator garden. At their December 2, 2015 PRNRC meeting, Committee Members
recommended to Staff to continue work with the Lakeville Rotary Club to install a pollinator
garden at Valley Lake Park east of the existing building.
Staff proceeded to submit a request to the Lakeville Rotary Club Charitable Foundation in the
amount of $8,000 for the project. Staff also requested $5,000 through a Vermillion River
Watershed Stewardship Grant. Both grants were approved totaling $13,000; the estimated
cost to complete the project is $14,000. The remainder of the project costs and long-term
maintenance of the project would be at the expense of the City. The annual cost to maintain
the pollination garden is approximately $450 - 600.
Attached is the 2016 Vermillion River Watershed Stewardship Grant request document
describing the project, location, and design along with the education/ outreach component
of the project.
Pollinator Garden Construction
Lakeville's Environmental Resources Division will spearhead the project by completing
contract administration, sign development & installation and volunteer coordination. The
Park Maintenance Division will do some of the initial site preparation on site. Staff would ask
the Rotary Club and other volunteers to participate in the planting of the native plants and
installation of the mulch paths as part of the project. Plans are to complete the construction
of the pollinator garden in the month of June/July.
Overview
At this time, Staff is providing the Mayor and City Council an update on the project with plans
to move forward on the project with the Lakeville Rotary Club, Vermillion River Watershed
District and other possible volunteers.
Staff plans on bringing the Joint Powers Agreement with the Vermillion River Watershed
District to the April 4t" City Council meeting for approval.
2016 Vermillion River Watershed
rSteivardsh Grant Request
Valley Lake Park Pollinator Garden
January 14, 2016
Project Title: Pollinator Garden at Valley Lake Park
Applicant(s): City of Lakeville
Mac Cafferty, Environmental Resources Manager
Rotary Club of Lakeville
Colleen Ratzlaff LaBeau, Rotary Club President
Peg Duenow, International Services
Project Location: Lakeville, MN (see attached map)
Project Description:
The City of Lakeville would like to install a Pollinator Garden at Valley Lake Park in
Lakeville with the Rotary Club of Lakeville.
Why pollinator/butterfly gardens?
Butterflies and other pollinators are essential for our ecosystem and the food we eat. We can
support these vital insects by providing a variety of native plants that bloom throughout the
summer and provide essential resources during their life cycles. Native plants are crucial
because they provide the pollen that insects need to sun•ive, along with the habitat that is
needed. By creating pollinator gardens, we are helping support the butterflies and insects that
pollenate the plants we grow for our food.
The native plants that are found in pollinator gardens are also good for water quality. Native
planting is a much more aesthetically pleasing alternative to typical turf grass. Once the area
is established, the natural area requires much less inputs (chemicals, nutrients, water, etc.) to
maintain. As a result of using native plants, you also achieve much better infiltration in the
area and less runoff from stormwater.
Project Location:
The approximate 8,000 s.f area east of the Valley Lake shelter (see attached exhibit) was
identified as the preferred location for a pollinator garden. The site is located within an
established park with many walking trails, playground, public fishing dock and beach, as well
as picnic shelters.
Project Design:
The garden will be approximately 8,000 s.f and be surrounded by multi -use trails on all
sides. The onsite turf will be sprayed and compost will be worked into the onsite soil. An
approximate 5-6 foot turf buffer will be left alongside the trail. The remainder of the area
will be seeded with a native grass and flower mix that is designed for pollinator gardens. In
addition to seeding, clusters of potted native flowering plants will be installed, along with a
few clusters of shrubs to provide some additional habitat. A split rail fence will be installed
with access points around the garden. Signage will be developed to inform visitors of the
benefits of pollinators and what they can do to provide habitat in their own yards or place of
work.
(Examples of educational signage)
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Education/Outreach:
The area is bordered by trails on all sides and would allow for easy maintenance and viewing
by the public. The location would also provide the opportunity for Parkview Elementary
students to learn and study the importance of native plants and pollinators. The garden is
about a 1/3 mile walk from the school on the trail system and would not require students to
cross any roads. The desire would be to have educational signage installed onsite about the
importance of pollinator gardens (see locations on attached map).
Overall Site Goals:
• Use the site and educational signage to promote the use of native plants to improve
water quality, water conservation and habitat diversity
• Remove turf grass and replace with native plants that are more sustainable and
require less chemicals, nutrients and water
• Provide a diversity of native plants that will be beneficial to butterflies, bees, beetles,
hummingbirds, etc.
• Provide a local demonstration site to showcase a Pollinator Garden
• Provide an educational experience for all users of the park as well as Parkview
Elementary students and staff
• Provide a volunteer opportunity for local business owners to learn about the use of
native plants to improve habitat, buffers and water quality at their local businesses in
Lakeville
Partnerships and Coordination:
• City of Lakeville: initial site preparation, contract administration, sign development,
installation of signs and long term maintenance
• Rotary Club: coordination of volunteers, planting of native plants and installation of
the mulch paths (15-20 Rotary Club volunteers)
Cost Estimate/Timeline:
Based on the initial designs, a cost estimate was put together. It is expected that the garden
would cost approximately $14,000 to install. Site preparation would begin in May of 2016,
with installation in June. Watering will be conducted by City Staff from installation to mid-
September for at least the first year.
Cost Estimate Details
Description
Cost
Notes
Plant material
$ 1,500.00
Material only
Seeding installed
$ 1,500.00
Contracted
Erosion Control Blanket
(installed)
$ 1,500.00
Contracted
Compost and Soil Preparation
$ 3,000.00
Material/Contract
Fencing
$ 3,500.00
Contracted
Educational Signage
$ 3,000.00
Contracted
TOTAL
$ 14,000.00
Requested Amount:
The City of Lakeville in partnership with the Rotary Club of Lakeville is requesting a
Stewardship Grant from the VRWJPO for $5,000 to help pay for planting materials, seeding,
erosion control, soil amendments and educational signage for a Pollinator Garden in Valley
Lake Park. The project will serve as a local education and demonstration site.
The total estimated cost of the project to install the garden is $14,000 plus in-kind Services.
The City of Lakeville will contribute in-kind services for design assistance, construction
administration, assistance with restoration, and upkeep and maintenance of the system. The
Rotary Club of Lakeville has committed $8,000 to the project. The remainder of the project
costs and long-term maintenance of the project will be at the cost of the City of Lakeville.
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Location of Pollinator Garden
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Grass
Seeded Area