Burnsville Natural Habitat Reimagined Through Partnerships

Burnsville Natural Habitat Reimagined Through Partnerships

In late November, Xcel Energy, Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District and the City of Burnsville collaborated to seed 2.3 acres of native prairie grasses and wildflowers in Burnsville’s Lake Park. Burnsville is taking an innovative and proactive approach to align Burnsville’s park system with the community and environmental needs of the future. This project was the first of several steps toward the effort.

The Burnsville Park Framework Plan, completed at the beginning of this year, includes identifying under-utilized areas of turf grass. These areas typically require intensive and environmentally-impactful maintenance including fertilizing, weed spraying and regular mowing. By converting some of those areas to more environmentally-friendly landscaping like native prairie grasses and wildflowers, Burnsville increases pollinator habitat, reduces fertilizer runoff into local waterways and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from mowing equipment.

Native plants reduce maintenance costs and provide a new type of park amenity for park users. Visitors have a place to explore and enjoy wildlife, wildflowers and nature, while other portions of the park remain as turf for activities such as soccer and lawn games. The first park identified for a native planting project is Lake Park which is located near Highway 13 and River Hills Drive. A little more than 1 percent of historical prairie remains in Minnesota so bringing this rare habitat into the local community provides a unique opportunity for park users. A mowed trail will be maintained through the prairie to allow visitors to explore the habitat.

More information on Burnsville’s Park Framework plan is available online.