6.b) Minutes to Meeting with Friends 4-18-14 1
Notes from Butterfly Garden meeting 4/18/ 2014 Janie O’Connor
Present:
Judi Negus
Tim Kieffer
Janie O’Connor
Cristina de Sobrino
Karen Schik
Goal: To clarify role of Friends of Scandia Park and Trails related to Lilleskogen
projects, and to clarify schedule and tasks.
1. Meeting with Prairie Restoration:
Watering: At 7:30 a.m. before meeting with City staff - Janie, and Karen met with
Jeff and Jena from Prairie Restoration at the site of Butterfly Garden. Purpose was to
inquire about PR as water source for BG when plants/plugs are installed. Since it
was covered with snow and wood chips, it was difficult to ascertain 2000 sq. ft. area
for BG. However, Jeff said that PR could water area for a “couple of hundred dollars
per trip.” The watershed district has said they will allow a permit to pump from the
wetland. As plans progress, that permit should be acquired, in case it’s needed. It
was noted, however, that if the plantings actually need water, it will likely be when
conditions are quite dry, and the pond will likely be dry. PRI could also bring a water
tank and water that way.
Janie will get soil type details to Jeff.
Meeting at City Hall 10 a.m.
2. Wood Chips: Tim said the wood chips currently stored in parking lot area of
Lilleskogen will be moved onto the trails in a month or so. (mid – late May 2014 )
When cleared, Tim will contact Janie (Friends) and we will tour area designated for
Butterfly Garden. Janie shared comments from PRC chair Greg re: wood chips. It
was decided that wood chips not suitable mulch and Friends will obtain shredded
hardwood mulch.
3. Site prep: The tasks of preparing site for planting will be Friends job.
(Till/rake/smooth etc.)
4. Curb cut: The City has $7600 from Capitol Improvement – towards curb work and
other Lilleskogen entities. Bids for curb cuts should be in soon and shared with PRC
at May 5th meeting. Tim said then they will know if curbs can be done this year. If
not possible this year, it sets Butterfly Garden back – until curb work is done.
5. Timeline: Assuming we can move forward this year, Karen asked re: dates for
planting – and dates to avoid. We tentatively plan a site prep/weed barrier
installation for July and planting for Aug/Sept.
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6. Rain Garden: Tim said that discovery of high water table retards or cancels the
anticipated Rain Garden. If it becomes a possibility, Friends could help with plants.
That project was in the timeline ahead of BG. However, because the tentative
Watershed grant was dependent on the Rain Garden (filtration of run off) our
anticipated grant proposal to water shed is on hold or dead.
7. Wildflower garden: Wildflower garden at western tip of Lilleskogen. Friends was
listed as having a role. City has no immediate plans for this spot, however. Will
depend on funding. When it does happen, Friends can be involved with
plants/planting/seed etc.
8. Butterfly Garden design: Some differing perceptions among meeting participants
about what the park will look like. Some thought the plan show it as a natural
setting – trees shrubs, wildflowers. City staff thought it would be a mowed turf
ground cover. Judi will bring up with Parks committee.
9. Native seeds: It was suggested that wherever in the Park, there is seed distribution
that native prairie seeds be used. Tim with check and see if already in cache of
supplies.
10. Rain Barrel: We asked Judi to remove Rain Barrel notation in strategic plan. We
could not identify it as useful entry.
11. Equipment: The City has two wheel barrows we could use when needed.
12. Edging: Janie said that Ross Brunfeldt may know of some rocks that could be used
for edging. Chris and others thought edging might not be a good idea – at least yet –
until we see scope of the land.
Going forward:
Judi will check past minutes for reference to vision of Park and
communicate to PRC.
Judi will remove “Rain Barrel” notation in Strategic Plan.
Judi will remove “Friends” from Rain Garden responsibility and
replace with “volunteers.”
Tim will check for native prairie seed in City supply
Janie will get soil type details to Jeff at Prairie Restoration.