Seasons The Greening of Maplewood
Summer 2012 Fish Creek Forever The stars are beginning to align over Fish Creek in south Maplewood. For over 20 years, the dream of preserving a 70-acre parcel of land south of Carver Road has been gathering momentum (see map on page 3). Maplewood’s Open Space Committee ranked this site as a high priority for acquisition 18 years ago. The land was later slated for development but the economic downturn intervened. Now, the dream of preserving this parcel is within reach. The Fish Creek Natural Area Greenway stretches from Carver Lake in Woodbury, through meadows and forests in Maplewood, to the Mississippi River in St. Paul. The heart of the greenway is picturesque Fish Creek and Ramsey County’s 142-acre Fish Creek Open Space. The creek is especially intriguing in St. Paul where it carves a narrow channel through bedrock, an area known locally as the Fish Creek Canyon. In 2010, Maplewood convened a commission to develop a vision for the Greenway. That
vision calls for protection and stewardship of natural areas and for improved hiking trails and access to public lands. Soon after the Maplewood City Council approved the plan for the Greenway, a key parcel of land in the Greenway came up for sale—a 70-acre site south of Carver Road, which is surrounded on three sides by County open space. The time was now or never for acquiring and preserving this parcel. This beautiful site is perched on top of the Mississippi River bluffs. From the bluff top you can look out over the Mississippi River Valley to the far western horizon. The open rolling hills are graced with oak and aspen woodlands, old pastures, and a small prairie remnant or two. As part of the Mississippi River flyway, the site is home to raptors, songbirds, and wildlife species such as fox, coyote, deer and opossum. Protecting this parcel will increase the buffer for Fish Creek, preserve wildlife habitat, provide public access to the bluff top, enhance access to existing county open space, and provide a segment of land needed for the Fish Creek Hiking Trail.
Maplewood does not yet own the Fish Creek parcel. An additional $629,000 is needed to complete acquisition. For information on how you can help, visit www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/fishcreek.
The Conservation Fund purchased the site in Fall 2011. Now the City and its partners have 1-1/2 years to raise the funds needed to acquire the site and preserve it for all to enjoy. To date, the City has secured 70% of the $2,160,000 price tag! The City continues to pursue grants for this project, but support from residents and businesses is essential if we are to successfully raise the funds needed to protect Fish Creek forever. The Fish Creek Committee invites you to join us on the bluff top June 16 to explore this beautiful parcel and see why it’s so special.
Benefits of Preserving Fish Creek Parcel
Expand buffers for Fish Creek
Protect Mississippi River bluff top from development
Preserve large contiguous area of habitat
Create Fish Creek Hiking Trail
2012 Schedule of Events Explore the Fish Creek Greenway and help preserve the bluff land! Saturday, June 16 - The Gathering on Fish Creek Bluff 1:00 - 4:00PM, Meet at Fish Creek FREE ($5 donation for kite building materials) Celebrate and discover the cultural and natural history of this beautiful site overlooking the Mississippi. On the bluff top: Visit with an Eagle, Bird with Binoculars, and Build and Fly a Kite. Relive history with the Little Thunderbird Drummers, Circle Talk, Fur Trader and Historical Medicine Wagon. Crafts, root beer, scavenger hunt and great door prizes! Directions: Park on Henry Lane, south of Carver Avenue. From Highway 94, take McKnight south to Carver, go east on Carver to Henry Lane. Thursday, July 26 - Bingo and Barbeque “FUN”raiser 6:00 - 7:30PM Dinner, 6:30 - 9:00 PM Bingo, Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White Bear Ave $10/adult if purchased by July 23, $15/adult at the door (includes meal and 3 bingo cards) $7/children ages 3-12 (includes food and kids’ activities) To purchase tickets: www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/fishcreek or call 651.249.2170 Bring the family for a tasty barbeque buffet of ribs, chicken, corn, and salad. While adults play bingo for prizes, kids take part in face painting, Fish Creek Nature “Bingo” and more. Win cash and fun prizes! Bingo cards available for purchase. Proceeds from bingo benefit Fish Creek land acquisition. Co-sponsored by St. Paul East Parks Lions. Tuesday, October 2 - Archeology of Fish Creek and the Woodland Culture 7:00 - 8:00 PM, Ramsey County Library-Maplewood Garrett Knudsen, archeologist with Summit EnviroSolutions, will talk about Native American history in this area and discuss artifacts found at Fish Creek. Presented by Maplewood Historical Society. Saturday, October 20 - Fall Colors at Fish Creek! 1:00 - 2:30 PM, Meet at Oakwood Church, 1388 Point Douglas Road South, St. Paul For Adults, and children age 12 and up with adult. Experience the golden glow of maples and basswoods as we hike with a naturalist along this hidden gem of a creek. Saturday, November 3 - Fish Creek Forever! Fundraising Dinner 6:00 - 9:30 PM, Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White Bear Avenue $50 per person, Purchase tickets in advance, 651.249.2170 Help preserve these gorgeous bluff lands! The Fish Creek Committee is pulling together an amazing evening with dinner, entertainment, cash bar and auction. All proceeds go towards acquisition of the Fish Creek parcel. Come join the fun and support this project! Tuesday, November 13 - Growing Up in South Maplewood 7:00 – 8:00 PM, Ramsey County Library-Maplewood Resident Dave Ledo will share stories about growing up in south Maplewood. Presented by Maplewood Historical Society. For more information: visit www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/fishcreek or call 651.249.2170. This issue of Seasons is funded by Friends of Maplewood Nature. To learn more about the Friends, visit www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/nc.
Seasons 2
A Vision for the Fish Creek Natural Area Greenway
Vision for Public Lands in Fish Creek Natural Area Greenway
Appendix E
PleasantviewPark
Maplewood
McKnight Rd
McKnight Rd
( f & % Carver Neighborhood Preserve
Carver Park
Carver Ave Carver Ave
A
Woodbury Fish Creek Open Space
B
Internal Trail System Sterling St
s )
Carver Lake
Century Ave
Saint Paul
si Mis i Ri
p ssip
Newport
ver
Visiting Fish Creek
The 70-acre Fish Creek parcel is owned by The Conservation Fund. To explore the site, join us on June 16th for The Gathering at Fish Creek Bluff and in October for a fall foliage hike along the creek. You can visit the site on your own, but there are no maintained trails or parking facilities. All Maplewood park policies apply to this site. The creek in this area is on Ramsey County’s Fish Creek Open Space. The county land is open to the public but there are no maintained trails. Visit www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/fishcreek for a map of the land Maplewood is trying to purchase. Partners Pitch In When Maplewood began to seriously consider purchasing this site, we knew we could not do it alone. The City asked Ramsey County and Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District to be our partners and both agreed to help with funds. Great River Greening has received a grant to begin restoration in the Fish Creek area. Friends of the Mississippi River has submitted a grant on behalf of the project and is serving as fiscal agent for additional fundraising
Baily Road
The Fish Creek Greenway map shows public lands in diagonal hatching. Parcels A and B are the site the City and its partners are trying to acquire. The dotted orange line shows the corridor for the future Fish Creek Hiking Trail, a 1-1/2 mile trail from Point Douglas Road along the Legend creek to Carver Lake Park. Water Body FishCreek
Existing Public Land Natural Area Greenway
Trail Priority for efforts. With funding commitments in place, Bike TheRoute/Bike Conservation Fund Aquisition Fish Creek Hiking Trail purchased the land so it would not be sold for development. This Internal Trail System gives the partners time to raise the funds needed. Once full funding is secured, Maplewood will acquire the land from The Conservation Fund and 50 acres will be owned by the City and 20 acres will be owned by the County.
created by - c.bergo January 25, 2010 C:\GIS\Maps\Special Projec
In addition to these partners, many groups helped develop the vision for Fish Creek Natural Area Greenway and continue to be partners on the Fish Creek Project, including agencies such as the National Park Service and Ramsey Conservation District. The Friends of the Maplewood Nature is sponsoring events and materials to raise awareness. Residents as Advocates A handful of Maplewood residents have been tireless advocates for this project. Earlier this year, volunteers formed the Fish Creek Committee to support efforts to acquire and preserve the site. The committee is hosting a series of events to raise awareness of the project. In addition, the group is launching a campaign to raise $100,000 from residents and local businesses to go towards acquisition. To help ensure this site is preserved, click on the link to the campaign on our Fish Creek webpage (www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/fishcreek).
Seasons 3
Funding The Dream - We need your support! There’s $629,000 left to raise. Help us buy a piece of the bluff. The Conservation Fund purchased the 70-acre Fish Creek site for $1,900,000. With project expenses, our price tag for the site is $2,160,000. $1,531,000 has been secured from the following sources: City of Maplewood ($425,000), Ramsey County ($425,000), Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District ($175,000), 3M Foundation ($100,000), Natural and Scenic Area Grant ($406,000). That leaves $629,000 to go. The City continues to seek grants, but support from the community is crucial for success. The Fish Creek Committee was formed to raise awareness and raise funds for this project. The committee has set a goal of raising $100,000 in contributions from residents and local businesses. Your $50 donation helps protect 70 square feet of land. That’s a 10’x7’ piece of the bluff—enough for a bench with a vista. Your $500 donation will protect 700 square feet of habitat for wildlife! The Friends of the Mississippi River, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the Mississippi River, is very excited about this project. They have stepped forward to help by handling donations for acquisition of the Fish Creek parcel. With their non-profit status and years of experience in fundraising for environmental protection they have the systems in place to process charitable donations. All contributions are tax-deductible.
Please help preserve the bluff top! The Fish Creek Committee
______ Yes, I want to help preserve Fish Creek. My donation is attached: ______ $500 ______ $75 ______ $250 ______ $50 ______ $100 ______ $25 ______ Other: _______ All contributions are tax deductible. ______ Check enclosed ______ VISA Card, #:________________________________________ Expiration: _________ Please make checks out to: Friends of Mississippi River Name: __________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________ Email: ____________________________________________ City: _______________________________ State: ________ ZIP:_____________ Mail this form with your donation to: Friends of the Mississippi River, FISH CREEK PROJECT, Suite 400, 360 North Robert Street, St. Paul, MN 55101.
Seasons 4
Printed on 50% post-consumer recycled paper
Make the Fish Creek dream come true! If preservation of natural areas is important to you, donate now. It’s easy: 1. Clip out this form and mail it with your donation, OR 2. Donate on-line at: www.fmr.org/fish