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Arden Hills Service Directory 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734 Office Hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m. 651-792-7800 www.cityofardenhills.org Sheriff and Fire 911 Water and Sewer Problems (During non-business hours) 651-767-0640 Mayor: David Grant 651-538-0747 dgrant@cityofardenhills.org Councilmembers: Brenda Holden 651-636-2987 bholden@cityofardenhills.org Fran Holmes 651-631-1866 fholmes@cityofardenhills.org Dave McClung 651-332-0352 davemcclung@comcast.net Jonathan Wicklund 651-278-8077 jwicklund@cityofardenhills.org Acting City Administrator: Sue Iverson 651-792-7816 siverson@cityofardenhills.org Communications Committee Editors/writers: Susan Cathey, Tina Kulzer Writer: Emma Theis Council Liaison: David Grant Staff Liaison: Amy Dietl Desktop Publisher: Mary Nosek Council meetings are held at City Hall on the second and last Monday of the month at 7 p.m. Meetings are televised live on Cable Channel 16. Meetings of the Planning Commission are televised as well. Visit www.cityofardenhills.org for information about taped meeting playbacks. Arden Hills Notes is the official news- letter of the City of Arden Hills, an equal-opportunity employer. 2 City Park Profiles—a series Crepeau Nature Preserve 1224 Harriet Avenue by Tina Kulzer In the most recent Community Parks and Trails Survey conducted by the Parks, Trails and Recreation Com- mittee (PTRC), 88.2 percent of resident survey respon- dents stated that they participate in walking/running/ biking activities while utilizing Arden Hills parks. This percentage is more than twice the second-highest rated recreational activity (playground use, at 42.4 percent). Furthermore, when asked to rank a list of eight park- related initiatives in order of importance, residents ranked trail connectivity and the development of more trails as the top two in importance. Issues related to the City’s trails rank high among residents in discussions about the park system, as the City’s trails and natural spaces are often cited by residents as reasons why they chose to live in Arden Hills. Luckily, area walkers, runners, and trail enthusiasts alike can find a very unique recre- ation experience at Crepeau Nature Preserve, the final park profile in our City park se- ries. Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood in southern Arden Hills, the trails in this minimally developed and carefully preserved natural space traverse 12.5 heavily- wooded acres and are accessible from the north at Benton Way (via Harriet Avenue) and at Dellwood Avenue (by way of Tiller Lane). The land that was developed into Crepeau Nature Preserve was acquired through two dedications: 4.45 acres was acquired in 1975 through the Dreyfus dedication, and 9.16 acres were acquired in 1977 through the MSI dedication. In addition, .12 acre was also ac- quired in 1977 from Dreyfus for the Pine Tree Drive trail easement. Crepeau Nature Preserve was named as such to differentiate this natural space and the passive recreational opportunities it offers from other City parks that possess more traditional park amenities and satisfy more active recreational pursuits. Birds and other wildlife abound, and the unpaved trails are best enjoyed at a slow, leisurely pace. It’s a beautiful spot for a walk in all seasons of the year. Developed primarily during the mid-1980s and into the 90s – with former PTRC member Don Messerly at the helm of a large majority of the preservation efforts – Crepeau Nature Preserve is a hidden gem that is representative of the kind of tranquil, undeveloped natural space that is treasured by so many in Arden Hills. Shown here Top: Dellwood Avenue entrance Center left: Benton Way entrance Bottom right: Pine Tree Drive entrance