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Draft NRMP Section 5.d General Mills General Mills Nature Preserve Location: 9201 Olson Memorial Highway, 8900 Betty Crocker Drive Nature Area Size: 26.64 Acres Description General Mills Nature Preserve is located on the southwestern corner of the city east of Highway 169 and north of Betty Crocker Drive. Access is from both Bel,r rocker Drive and Olson Memorial Highway South Frontage Road. A looped trail s exists within the nature preserve. The preserve is a mix of manicured parkla •uffer composed of native prairie, and wetland. The wetland portion is restor- , land, has been enrolled as a wetland bank for the City of Golden Valley. Ba- reek runs alon - south side of the preserve. Forest and Woodlands Forest and woodland communities a •` in two ars ithin the Preserve. The primary wooded portion lies along Bassett Cre -n• osed • •dplain forest. This is composed of mature tr ging box , silve - base +d, and oaks. This is likely a mixture of remna the - along t •rior _ -lopment, and those that have grown in the last 50 y- The s- • d area i- ated in the northeast portion of the Preserve, which is co •* • of mix r .I _ oods, ding several basswood and oak trees. Wet! The Press's centered o reate :,^tland, which is composed of cattail-dominated shallow marsh. A wet ''" -dow fringe i -o press- , although it has an abundance of reed canary grass. Floodplai r-st is pres along Bassett Creek for the entire length through the Preserve. Aquatic Resources Bassett Creek flows through the Preserve, and is present along the entire southern boundary. This portion of Bassett Creek has been historically ditched and straightened, but retains a small naturalized floodplain. Two bridges cross Bassett Creek, and are part of the trail system that passes though the Preserve. Wetlands GVRM Plan 2015 GENERAL MILLS NATURE PRESERVE page 1 Wetland is the dominate feature of the General Mills Nature Preserve, as the site was designated a wetland bank. The majority of the wetland is composed of shallow marsh, which is dominated by cattails and shallow open water. A wide emergent wetland fringe is also present, which includes a mixture of native species, but is dominated by reed canary grass. The wetlands are large, and dominate the site. They also connect to Bassett Creek floodplain, and provide for additional flood storage. The existing floodplain is likely smaller than was historically present, but remains an important resource. Prairie and Grassland The entire north side of the Preserve is composed of 'er that was established during the wetland creation, and is part of the wetland b. T e buffer minated by native prairie, which has been maintained to be a high quali' j sland. Several " e trees have been planted within the buffer for aesthetic purpose- ! trail system crosses •h the prairie. Invasive Species .ru Invasive species are present within t -, and are 'arily wetland related. Reed canary grass is a primary invasive spec , of c• • as it h - potential to spread and dominate the site. Co ult, as p. dic fl. a" 'I con ously bring new seed into the site. Buckthorn i sent, a a poten rn wi � e wooded portions of the preserve. Buckthorn c• 'I is po• le if adja ` properties are also managed. Table 5.7 Invasive Species Cover Percent Change 2003-2013 -scription " ` `y •ver2003 % Cover 2013 % Change Common thorn—Alon• ��t 0 50 -20 Bassett Cre: Reed Canary —Wet 100 100 No change Meadow Site Recommend: § a i Yy Natural Resources Because the majority of the Preserve is composed of a wetland bank, or associated with Bassett Creek, there are several requirements already in place to protect these resources and maintain a minimal level of vegetative quality. The primary recommendation is to maintain the quality of the wetland bank, in part because that is a requirement of the crediting, and the deed of restrictions and covenants already placed upon the property. GVRM Plan 2015 GENERAL MILLS NATURE PRESERVE page 2 Maintain high quality wetland bank(high priority) The wetland within the preserve is required to be dominated by native species, and periodically the site will require control of invasive species, and encouragement of native species to prosper. Maintain high quality wetland buffer and native prairie (high priority) In establishing the upland buffer, and high quality native prairie has been created along the north side of the site. Maintenance should be continued to ensure that this area remains high quality. Manage buckthorn (low priority) r. Buckthorn is present within the preserve, but is I. -d. Mana• - t of buckthom would require management on adjacent properties i, r to be effective. Enhance the wooded upland and floodplain foresfF The floodplain forest and upland w• stain many e species, including some of the oldest trees within the City. The heal •ds woul• " -nhanced if younger trees could be planted to offset the eventual loss of - +e of r tree Amenities Little needs to be done w y in the re preserve at this time; they tend to be function- y ' ndits• ntry b• ig ;re used at the two main access points to the n x,. area. Thes- d re v`rtr -s unique# -tures as this is the only Nature Preserve in Golden The City m .nt to ate the condition of the benches, signs and other amenities as wear and re e acco ng to City approved Sign and Amenity Design Guidelines reco =€^ ded earls this section. Improve physical access °•riority) The eastern leg of the loop trail is located on adjacent private property, but has been utilized by the public for years. Discussions should occur that lead to formalizing this arrangement through easement or agreement. Install pet waste disposal system(high) GVRM Plan 2015 GENERAL MILLS NATURE PRESERVE page 3 General Mills Nature Preserve should include waste disposal systems for dogs; one at each main entry. This not only keeps the park clean and attractive but it helps to maintain the water quality of Bassett Creek. Table 5.8 General Mills Nature Preserve Improvement Priorities Priority Management Description Action Qty Unit Unit ost (H, M, L) Type/Area Cost Opinion H Wetland Shallow and emergent Reed canary gr bank marsh control 20 Acre $1,750 $35,000 Controlle• H Upland Maintain high quality herbicid , 6 Acre $3,500 21,000 buffer native prairie appli• s, peso• re g L Upland Manage buckthorn 've buckthorn Acre $3,500 $10,500 woods Upland Rem• •ama• -r L woods and Encourage fores trees, • , -r a floodplain health x'=• and more • e 5 A. $2,000 $10,000 forest -es Provide dog walke H Amenity with peaste dispos. flnsta set wa 2 Each $600 $1,200 y spos sys � cress Mai existm ail R. and replace L Amenity syste trai .tem as part of 0.5 Miles $10,000 x$5,000 uz ...;'.4-.- regu 'w aintenance y ' • or rmalizing Impr• : •hysi •. • ent or H Am- - easement for public access trail use with w ; < adjacent owner F ''''`i.-,',#11 . -,e,,,,-.4 t GVRM Plan 2015 GENERAL MILLS NATURE PRESERVE page 4 - - t lilt..- ( 1 s w e` �' " s etc"15prP"W'"`'".1"1";11* '�eww'+.. ' - .'' ',I -° t 4 7 o' m a '.ke ,.1 r* --4-'- 1,� i' i< ate,. 0_._.,_.an R �'t �� + a + .41. E .' - t -. F : _f xe '$ c £ ,'fit ,, L J -. '-- —i itp.i.-tjk- ' '' al , •IP..1 :4,4, ...-:tteer..,..,...... , , 4 '.:» r_ a �.. '4 i rsw g - Vgi , -}."" -„ - - ..► 1 "x.„a” +u . - e, t .. ,.., ,l''''- '' - i '._ 4f lam« L dA -- .' ‘-' ' -' i • =�ff qu � * �v../ ''.'r';'''S' ' '';',.L','•!:.‘5:::::',. Ifri :0 1 .'.' & kt.�>'tl to t7 � 4 w., •y I-;'"'''''''::' ,... : /.. ''''' } i.! ` ..ry a W 1,4 -5 *4/ ' . ' ,- /-.... - "er, -,...- ' .:,,i ", ,_;;;-".. ...„L: - .4..:•.1" , " --:.";..,11. A iis4.. ' ' � ry '- A . t .r � +` cAr .� 1 fir" �- _'++r �4 ". . r ° aAtilt*. a "' b V4,..10`a•te . ..,. r 3q 9¢ S. £ S. :fr.. .eif h aY..Y, -R 1 MN L]t L48o7iI': isio 6 a $ i �..r' �t .rte, a - r #7, Legend � _ ,, ~;aa Nature Area Boundary mr,t , - ,> 0 200 400 ""r * x +`xiR I .. 4 i .k.a.�'..:i .' 4q,'as _ • ..? _. .f .w .e General Mills Nature Preserve-2012 Aerial FIGURE 5.17 Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan i6 . 4 / 4,..e.,..1,--4-4 F ° «, fond CaeMr Acres Percent Cattail 4.02 15.09% ' Floodplain Forest 8.87 33.31% I� Ir r itis f # Mixed Hardwoods 1.79 6.74%.1 x tl- ,it l `_ ' Prairie _ 5.54 20.79% °J ill i! 1�. " 4 r ra 5 Wet Meadow 6.42 24.08%; • ti { s ��/� .t TOTAL ACRES, .4.." 26.64 100.00% Y t 4, 1WaM 40 µ .u#, '!. 'Fw'S�'' go"- ' fig. f ars � � f`" r•M7 X in " ..7 t 4 , ..` « . 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Nature Area Boundary ,, ..: Invasive Species and Percent Covered tit s Buckthom 50-75% Reed Canary Grass 7 .11 5-100% '1/4 r �r'' < f �r ,.,/ 7 a 0 } 200 906 General Mills Nature Preserve- Invasive Species FIGURE 5.19 Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan ��,, V t 6„,,,,,I,.s ? 4 Legend l�k , .......: , � -- ` =° - . r� -_. Symbol Key dr• „, ' © Pe i an Access Nature Area Boundary _ x r;.; Educational Sign, y • ig i Trail Material *: ' - Entry Sign Asphalt "" t v� • Trash Receptable Concrete , > --:-----# r P _ `!Np "� P rian Bridge 1 i Y i) ... 4 '"` a ' -loos .r ' Land Cover 4 ,,;; , �R ; Cattail R, �.,pt ,,..• Wet Meadow �� . Floodplain Forest „•,•,,',....41;• ,LL, ,�n4;r.A1,0 t w Mixed Hardwoods :r, � + s° ! ” Prairie �'* , > --- i.;- "f • r ,, w_ �'-__ __ .tet , . 4 �, 3 s r 4`` '1" S r+�f" . .. I:, t '� �9 aT�� { j` ' st 0 ` "' lit H CI'�4k is ,� �` �' - I.I.+ "� if V IF t EIL ti j k F M `w �w 7� tti� ...= €; , �x , rIw.","Mf"rltiV WO 1 i 42 3 ,4‘04 ya 1 1G.d: -3;' k General Mines Nature Preserve-Existing Amenitites FIGURE 5.20 Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan Legend �.�., • S , . Nature Area Boundary „ --,-,- .,-"—-7--. 14.--jr-ii71 _* %' !4 :tile._ x'-� . , _ Educational Sign Trail Material , Asphalt �' ' `_ $„, ., . .. „ „A 1,... - Concrete . - . Land Cover f ' '"... I - • .. .. , , " 2fr Cattail '� r '""' '`-�- Wet Meadow Floodplain Forest + t'...4--- Rr ' `' 9 Mixed Hardwoods "('4'1 rt a,4 wa t Prairie -; ..-4*., A1. " _" } ; .� r . -, a aA4{ • 10 is r ju n ", n - .1 �+ *4 , a fj $ cY ; so Ze, M # N. 1 �..t♦ i IIIIA,1111411111.....04 .04''' 44 - .ii , , ..islim ; ; •i r—w1fF t *rTr .•A ` ,;,„,v.,,,*ki 1J 1 ,Y s ..." � w4 r, +Yf . ., , ,, r�i fJM'i:1f1siW ♦ �, s P f}jig. !, w-*y.".• ... P^k *-.0. y. - _ - + t p °.'.Ww F ..r, axe. 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