2. Wind in the Pines Proposed Plans .
• Wind in the Pines Park—Proposed Plans
Presented by the Parks and Trails Subcommittee
Overview: The Parks and Recreation Committee requested that the�arks and Trails
Subcommittee evaluate Wind in the Pines Park, to see how the trail system there might be
improved for the community. The site was visited several times by several subcommittee
members, including an ecologist and a biologist(formerly with Fish and Wildlife Service). The
trail assessment was completed, as well as some additional ecological evaluation of the park
conditions. The findings are listed below, followed by our proposed solutions. Most of these
tasks would require little or no expense, and would be undertaken or overseen by subcommittee
members.
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1. Issue: Down trees on primary trail. ` �
Proposal: Subcommittee t ees with chainsaw to make a clear passage.
Cut wood wi simply be moved aside and left on-site, to decompose as it would have done
naturally.
2. Issue: Unmaintained trails.
The primary trail through the park on the bluffline above Falls Creek is well used and very clear.
• The other trails, shown on the "map" at the entrance of the park are no longer visible. They are
generally over grown and not well marked.
Proposal: Subcommittee members visited the site and were able to discern where the old trails
were. They evaluated the location of those trails and assessed where to put a new trail. They
marked a proposed new trail alignment with flagging. For the most part they were able to use
the old trail alignment, but deviated from it in some areas to stay away from steep slopes or
sensitive areas, such as beds of lycopodium (princess pine), or orchids. They used GPS and
aerial photographs with contour lines to locate their position and sketch it out on a map.
The subcommittee requests permission to proceed with re-creating the trails system at the park as
follows:
Remove brush
• Use brush cutters and/or hand tools to remove brush from the trail alignment.
• Treat cut stumps of all woody plants with 10% glyphosate herbicide, applied by an
ecologist (committee member Karen Schik), or other trained individuals.
• Motorized equipment will only be used by the owners or others trained in its use. All
safety precautions will be taken with protective eyeware, ear protection, chaps etc.
Expenses: Concentrated Roundup herbicide, spray bottles
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• Clear path
• Rake leaves and debris from the trail alignment to create a dirt path. The path would
be left as a simple dirt trail to retain the appearance of the park as an undeveloped
natural park.
Expenses: none
Mark trails
• New trail markers are needed that can be seen from both directions, are on posts and
not affixed to trees, do imply the trail is a ski trail. Some of trails at the site certainly
could be skied by an experienced skier,but most are far too steep for that use. A
generic trail marker would be more appropriate. We suggest a simple wooden post,
painted yellow at the top so it can be seen from both directions, and can be seen in the
winter with several feet of snow. Alternatively, a simple trail sign(about 4"x 4")
could be affixed to both sides of the post.
Expenses: need to be determined.
Who does the work
• Subcommittee members would be the primary people to do the work,but may solicit
assistance from others. At all times at least one subcommittee member will be
present who is fully informed of the project tasks.
3. Issue: Exotic invasive woody species
• Common buckthorn and tartarian honeysuckle,both exotic invasive shrub species from Europe,
are common at the park, especially in the southern half. The higher quality forest in the northern
part of the park, closer to Falls Creek, is still mostly not invaded. It is very important to protect
that high quality forest by removing exotic species from adjacent areas.
Proposal:
The subcommittee seeks permission to solicit bids from qualified restoration organizations, such
as Prairie Restorations, Critical Connections, and Great River Greening. The latter group could
also organize a volunteer event to enable community participation in the removal effort.
In addition, the subcommittee seeks permission to proceed on their own accord with smaller
amounts of removal, as they have time and resources to do so on their own.
As with the trail work, this exotic woody removal work would be overseen by the restoration
ecologist on the Park and Recreation Committee.
Conclusion: Wind in the Pines Park is erha s the reatest natural treasure in New Scandia
Township, wit numerous rare p ant and animal species and a very unusua eco ,
ty�p�ically found hundreds of miles to the north. The township has been endowed this treasure and
the responsibility to maintain and protect its pristine natural condition. It has and will continue
to serve as an important place for residents and non-residents to visit to experience peaceful
nature walks.
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