Blaine Wetland Sanctuary S ince the late 1980s, the City has had a vision for creating a wetland classroom in the area known as the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. In 2000, residents approved a $3.5 million bond referendum to purchase property for open space. The first purchase was the 62-acre wetland and eight-acre oak forest in the Lakes of Radisson development, which added to the city’s existing 435 wetland acres east of the Lakes of Radisson development extending south to 109th Avenue. Since that time, research has been conducted in the 500-acre open-space property west of Lexington Avenue adjacent to Anoka County Ditch 53-62. This area is part of the larger Anoka Sand
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Plain, which is home to unique plant communities found in very few places anywhere in the country. Several species of rare and endangered plants were discovered and the concept of restoring the wetlands to allow those species to flourish began to take shape. Combined with the big picture of being in city open space and the prospect of adding a pavilion for public education and access for the enjoyment of nature lovers, plans were put in motion. The goal of the project is to enhance, restore, and protect three wetland community types and upland islands. The upland communities will be restored to oak forest or aspen-birch forest types. The wetland communities will be restored to
Anoka Sand Plain rich and poor fen, which are unique and rare plant community types containing two confirmed threatened and endangered species. The restoration will release the dormant native seed bank and existing rare species and their habitats will thrive and expand. The boardwalk and parking lot were completed in August 2017, giving the public the opportunity to walk from East Lake Park in the Lakes of Radisson development to the regional trail along Lexington Avenue. The parking lot was constructed off of Lexington Avenue, providing a trailhead for the boardwalk and parking for educational programming. Active management of the wetland site will continue to accomplish the plan
