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Draft NRMP Section 5.j Western Ave Marsh Western Avenue Marsh Nature Area Location: 7600 Western Avenue Nature Area Size: 21.65 Acres Description Western Avenue Marsh Nature Area is located east of Brookview Park and is surrounded by residential neighborhoods. The nature area is mostly wetland and floodplain, and access is limited; sidewalk is located along the southern edge of the marsh along Western Avenue. There are no amenities present. Forest and Woodlands Approximately half of the Western Avenue March Nature Area is wooded but the majority is wooded swamp, dominated by box elder and aspen trees. Wooded upland is limited to a few areas of higher ground, but is dominated by similar species. Wetlands The Western Avenue Marsh is a large wetland complex,and dominates the nature area. The majority of the wetland is cattail marsh, or box elder-dominated hardwood swamp. It appears that the wetland included some ditches, which have since filled in but are visible in the vegetation signatures. Aquatic Resources There are no specific aquatic resources present, although the size of the wetland complex could be considered a resource in itself. Prairie and Grassland No significant areas of prairie or grassland are present within the Western Marsh Nature Area. Invasive Species Reed canary grass is prevalent throughout the wet meadow portions of the wetland. By survey data, the density of reed canary grass is reduced, which appears to be related to the wetland hydrology increasing, and may be indicative of a transition to increased cattail marsh. GVRM Plan 2015 WESTERN AVENUE MARHS page 1 Purple loosestrife is also present, at approximately 10% cover within the emergent marsh habitats. Purple loosestrife was not surveyed here in 2003, but was present in low densities. Table 5.17 Invasive Species Cover Percent Change 2003-2013 Descri•tion %Cover2003 % Cover 2013 % Chan•e Reed Cana Grass 90 70 -20 Pur•le Loosestrife n/a 10 n/a Site Recommendations Natural Resources The Western Marsh Nature Area is primarily a wetland and flood storage area. Specific recommendations include reed canary grass and purple loosestrife removal. Areas of wooded wetland are also present, and are dominated by less-desirable species. Selective removal of these wooded species, and planting of higher quality species could improve the quality of the wetland. Amenities Improve physical access(high) No access currently exists to the Western Avenue Marsh. Without access, it is difficult to consider the Western Avenue Marsh as a Nature Area. Trail access may be possible along the eastern edge of the site from Western Avenue to Harold Avenue. This would provide a trail linkage that would cross the marsh, connecting Harold Avenue to Western Avenue. This trail extension would involve working with the adjacent property owner to gain access to Harold Avenue on the north end. Install entry signs (high) Currently there is only visual access to the Western Avenue Marsh Nature Area and no signs identify this area at this time. Location signs should be installed at the intersection of Winnetka Avenue and Western Avenue and at a proposed access point along the southeastern edge of the marsh. Install educational sign (medium) The marsh area would provide an excellent opportunity to learn about a hardwood swamp and wet meadow habitat. Two signs could be installed; one at the corner of Winnetka and Western Avenues and the other near the wet meadow. GVRM Plan 2015 WESTERN AVENUE MARHS page 2 Install bench (low) Install two benches; one along Western Avenue and one along a proposed trail. Install trash/recycling receptacle (low) Install a trash receptacle near the proposed access point along Western Avenue. Install pet waste disposal system (high) Western Marsh Nature Area should include a waste disposal systems for dogs; one at the Western Avenue entry. This will keeps the trail through the nature area clean and attractive. Table 5.18 Western Avenue Marsh Nature Area Improvement Priorities Priority Management Description Action Qty Unit Unit I ost (H, M, Type Cost Opinion L) L Wetland Manage reed canary Remove reed canary 13 Acre $500 $6,500 Meadow grass grass Upland woods Remove undesirable M and hardwood Improve forest health, trees, establish 12 Acre $500 $6,000 swamp diversity native woodland communities Provide continuity of H Amenity entry sign design Install new sign at 3 Each $5,000 $15,000 through nature area entry system Provide natural Install interpretive M Amenity resources education sign 1 Each $3,000 $3,000 Provide continuity of Install new benches L Amenity bench design through at entry and on deck 2 Each $1,500 $3,000 nature area system overlook Provide continuity of Install new waste/ trash receptacle H Amenity recycle trash 1 Each $2,000 $2,000 design throughout receptacle at entry nature area system Provide dog walkers H Amenity with pet waste Install new pet waste 3 Each $600 $1,800 disposal system at disposal system key access point Extend trail, M Access/Amenity Improve access pavement 500 LF $125 $50,000 improvements (6' wide asphalt) GVRM Plan 2015 WESTERN AVENUE MARHS page 3 0{ # ! er w k : f F i ----- ' uw mow. °'{_� :i , : ,,,. ,,,,,, ,'I ,_ 11 ty. R✓ " **.*..;04-- 3 fit• ' { �/ �� M'fi t 1rt 4. t # i e A , A A I 1 s I I IIlEr 111,111 0.1/4 a M r 1 " i4104top .,e. i { I a gym, 44 $% 44:11t4k 111r4:17-7._ 4., ". ,t,p., . ip empr.,1 76,-tit.,,,,,,..' 0 ate. is-.�� �4 .. 9 ` d Legend 454, it Nature Area Boundary 0 200 goo } ftirr','rt > ' Western Avenue Marsh Nature Area-2012 Aerial FIGURE 5-57 �'�t11t} Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan Land goes Percent Cattail 13.11 60.57% - 1::::. . '.. - Hardwood Swamp 6A9 28.1596 Ili - Mixed Hardwoods 0.40 1.86% ..�,y Paved 0.20 0.9291 Turf 0.23 1.06% . fir :e,! Wet Meadow 1.61 7.44% Tf1Tw1.v,74c 1 - r ,. .'- . 1111 .,4 ° „fit ti w --' IF �4 w y 00, ';;4..„ „,,'',n'i ', i .4,t. 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I • et w e 9 i I 1 s A I I 6 ii I1.rr�r.as r,a l I I I , . i Legend f _. , 21 Nature Area Boundary i, Trail Material - Asphalt Concrete tor',..t.:':'',rf44t1" Land Cover ' • Cattail {` Turf Wet Meadow mss... JINI * Hardwood Swamp Mixed Hardwoods IV A Paved . ‘1,:..0 900 200 . RFeel ''' ,,,,t4...., , Western Avenue Marsh Nature Area- Existing Amenitites FIGURE 5.60 ‘,,d,-/f.-,,,,,if v'a l 'y Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan N AV s%'; F -� Symbol ey ktt Entry Sign • .,i.', ' Dog Wast: isp Sys .f4:14 ,. ;''...1'',,,TS „:1:- . 1E�, Trash eptable : .. .v.„....eir . ,,,� urf to rail c ; . , 4/ ,. tt, 00 • r 1 + # F / # +I 1 J ! f e r J 4. } Y F I t I 3 I F y it F •� • I • it , i Legend Nature Area Boundary =` # -,_�. • .�a .7" _d Trail Material ` F . . . Asphalt ; .. Concrete t s ".. Land Cover �'-1,-44"4"..' 41,,,,,,.- • , ., Cattail .!.,,,7-',.. Turf Wet Meadow t. l. c Hardwood Swamp �.. Mixed Hardwoods Paved ' K zoo ,00 it t' Western Avenue Marsh Nature Area-Conce t Pian FIGURE 5.61 al le} Golden Valley Natural Resources Management Plan Western Avenue Marsh - Photographs ' 111, s h^ s • reZ • S Western Avenue Marsh - Photographs ,4 f+Y` .7.....„,-...7t tri 4 w �9 I 9 y - '�.ti F ti a r '4 'Mk "