HILLOWAY PARK RENEWAL MASTERPLAN 17 December 2002 City of Minnetonka Parks Renewal Project The Kestrel Design Group, Inc. 5136 Hankerson Ave. Suite 1 Minneapolis,

HILLOWAY PARK RENEWAL MASTERPLAN17 December 2002

City of Minnetonka Parks Renewal Project

The Kestrel Design Group, Inc.5136 Hankerson Ave. Suite 1Minneapolis, MN 55436Ph. 952 928-9600 Fax 952 [email protected]

HILLOWAY PARK RENEWAL CONCEPT PLAN

Sustainable DesignAquatic & Terrestrial Restoration

Ecological Stormwater ManagementNatural Areas Management

Soil BioengineeringLandscape Architecture

Introduction


The proposed concept plan for Hilloway Park capitalizes on the assets of the park’s natural and cultural history, which lend itself to creating a master plan that mirrors the biomes found in Minnesota:

• Pine: Northern Coniferous Forest in the northeast

•Hardwoods: Deciduous Forest from the northwest to the southeast corners

•Prairie: Prairie Potholes in the southwest corner

Concept Plan

Pine

Hardwoods Prairie

Biomes of Minnesota

Pine

Hardwoods

Grassland

N

To minimize trail erosion and further mimic the Mississippi River, the trail at Hilloway Park will also widen toward the park’s south end just as the Mississippi River widens from north to south as it carries more and more water.

Just as the Mississippi River travels through Minnesota’s 3 biomes in a north-south direction, the path through Hilloway Park leads park visitors through the 3 biomes at Hilloway Park.

Hilloway Park Current Conditions


Pine

Hardwoods

Prairie

Concept Plan

Hilloway Park Concept Plan

Pine

Hardwoods Prairie

Biomes of Minnesota

Park entrance: see sketch

Existing trail: - Re-surface gravel portion with pervious pavement or soil cement to reduce erosion of gravelPine - Hardwood transition interpretation: see sketch

Raise outlet elevation of wetland to restore hydrology

Gathering space: council ring - Informal seating and picnicking provisions

Slope stabilization along stormwater utility

Hardwood - Prairie transition: see sketch

Potential designated trail connection to Byrnes Rd. to be positioned along

existing deer track.

Trail repair - Minimize spring flooding - Replace retaining wall

Park entrance - see sketch


PineA A’

Section A-A’: Proposed

Housing

Park Boundary

Trail Pines HousingPark Boundary

Hardwoods Byrnes Road

Horizontal Scale: 1” = 200’, Vertical Scale: 1” = 40’

Section A-A’: Existing Horizontal Scale: 1” = 200’, Vertical Scale: 1” = 40’

Housing

Park Boundary

Trail Pines Housing

Park Boundary

Hardwoods Byrnes Road

Pines Biome


Pine Biome - North Entry

street informal seating “Headwaters” Entry

• Plants native to northwoods

symbolize water

• Informal seating on rocks

• Reminiscent of glacial geology

Path passes between twolarge glacial boulders atthe “headwaters” of the park


Hardwoods Biome

Section B-B’: ExistingHorizontal Scale: 1” = 200’, Vertical Scale: 1” = 40’

Park Boundary Park Boundary

Hardwoods

Trail

HousingHardwoods

B B’Hardwoods

Section B-B’: ProposedHorizontal Scale: 1” = 200’, Vertical Scale: 1” = 40’


Hardwoods

Trail

HousingHardwoods


Hardwoods Biome

• Transition from coniferous to hardwood forest

• Management of the forest will allow the plant community to mature in a successional pattern

A clearing in the hardwood forest demonstrates re-growth and regeneration

Grassland/TransitionEarly Successional

MatureHardwood

Forest

Forest Regeneration



Trail

Housing

HardwoodsPrairie

Hardwoods

Prairie Biome

Section C-C’: ExistingHorizontal Scale: 1” = 200’, Vertical Scale: 1” = 40’

C C’Prairie


Trail

Housing

HardwoodsPrairie

Hardwoods

Section C-C’: ProposedHorizontal Scale: 1” = 200’, Vertical Scale: 1” = 40’


Prairie Biome

• Transition from hardwood/successional forest to grassland

• Limestone is characteristic of southern MN geology

• Landscape will be a year-round palate of changing colors and textures

• Limestone creates a gathering space for people

Limestone outcropping on a south facing grassland slope is a warm, quiet spot to rest


South Entry - Hardwoods Biome

• Limestone creates a space that slows traffic down the steep decline

• Limestone, steep topography, and mature hardwood forest are characteristic of southeast Minnesota

A grouping of limestone pieces creates a gathering space at the south entry to the park

Bollard to slow traffic

Gathering and Entryspace created by limestone


Addressing Management Issues

1. Prescribed burns (all three biomes would benefit from some level of burning)

2. Chemical (herbicide)

3. Mechanical (machine driven) followed by broadcast herbicide treatment(s)

4. Physical removal (hand pulling; cutting; weed wrench) followed by broadcast herbicide treatment(s)

Tools to Control Invasive Species at Hilloway Park

Treatments range in effectiveness and cost but a combination of removal techniques which includes prescribed burning is necessary



Viability of Pine Stands

Current Setting

Proposed “Restoration”

Removal of invasive species

Thin over-planted canopy

Promote canopy, understory and ground layer regeneration

Diversify pine plantation

Removal of invasive species will open up the park for views and native vegetation

Security compromised by tight enclosure by dense invasive shrubs



Coniferous Sapling Deciduous Sapling

4’ Minimum tree shelter height for protection from deer browsing

Mulch to reduce light, moisture and nutrient competition

- LOCATE DESIRABLE SEEDLING

- PROMOTE AND PROTECT GROWTH

Desirable sapling - vulnerable to deer browsing and “suffocation” by invasive species

Tools to Control or Mitigate the Over-whelming Deer Population1. Removal2. Repellents (scents)3. Tree shelters4. Removal of exotic species cover (this will create a “more open” park,

which will be less desirable habitat for deer)


Concept SummaryThe proposed concept plan for Hilloway Park capitalizes on the assets of the park’s natural and cultural history, which lend itself to creating a master plan that mirrors the biomes found in Minnesota:

• Pine: Northern Coniferous Forest in the northeast

•Hardwoods: Deciduous Forest from the northwest to the southeast corners

•Prairie: Prairie Potholes in the southwest corner

Just as the Mississippi River travels through Minnesota’s 3 biomes in a north-south direction, the path through Hilloway Park leads park visitors through the 3 biomes at Hilloway Park.

Pine

Pine

Hardwood

Hardwood

Prairie

Prairie

Oct- Nov 2002

Dec 2002

Mar 2003

Apr 2003

May 2003

Jan 2003

Feb 2003

Site Analysis Community Meeting

Concept Plan Community Meeting

Concept Plan Park Board Meeting

Implementation of Short Term Items

Begin Implementation of Long Term Items

Construction Documents

Maintenance Plan

Project Timeline Overview