2002 Draft Natural Resources Management

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Executive Summary This report presents the Nata�ral Resaacrces Inventory ancl Manaagement report for five parks within the City of RosevillE, Minnesota. The project was initiated to inventory and provide management recommendations far natural connmunities within five city parks incIudin� Acarn Park, Central Park, Langton Lake Park, Reservoir Woods Park, and Villa Park. WiFh this information the City can continue to activeiy manage and restore natural communities in parks as well as guide recreation so future generations may enjoy these valuable Iocal resources. There are a number of elements that contribute to the quality of life in any city: Social amenities, such as a healthy economy, attractive and affordable housing, efficient infrastructure and services, as well as good schools are all part of a successful community. Just as important are environmental amenities such as ciean air, water and adequate apen space. At the time of settlement by Euro-Americans, Roseville's rolling landscape was characterized by Iakes, wetlands, savanna, and prairie. Despite having changed considerably since Euro-American settlement, this rolling landscape endures. Even more siA ificantly, the parks within the city host a remarkable number and quality of natural communities, especially considet�ng that Roseville is within just a few miies from two of the major urban centers of the upper Midwest. Landforms provide the foundation, for all of the plant and animal communities tt�at they support. Section 2 gives a very brief account of the formation of Roseville's landscape. It is a story punctuated by the znany forces of nature, including glaciers, fire, and drought. Section 3 summarizes the natural communities that currently exist on the sites, or are thought to have been present in the study area in the past. General Natural Cornmunity Management Recommendations are given in Section 4. Roseville is fortunate to have several l�kes within the city that serve as important recreational and habitat resources. Two of these, Lan�ton and Bennett Lakes lie within parks stud2ed in this project. These lakes were assessed for the nutrient loads, water quality, plant communities, and other important factors. The summary of inethods, findings, and recommendations for these lakes is found in Section S of the report.