Enhancement of Right-of-Way and
Purpose
The purpose of this project was to design a thorough vegetation management plan for Hopkins parks and ROW's that can be implemented in a cost-effective manner while also building a resilient ecosystem that can be maintained through sustainable funding and community involvement.
Hopkins, MinnesotaSuburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Contains 14 parks and numerous right-of-ways Population of 17,591 Total land area of 4.08 square miles Mean temperature of 43 degrees Fahrenheit and annual rainfall of 30 inches Photos: Bridget Robertson |
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What is Alternative Vegetation?
Vegetation options that can replace traditional turfgrass in city green spaces including native plants, pollinator friendly plantings, and low-input turfgrass
Native Plants(Photo: MN DNR)
Vegetation native to a specific land area or region before foreign species introduced |
Pollinator Species
(Photo: Xerces Society)
Plant species that attract pollinators and support their populations |
Low-Input Turfgrass(Photo: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum)
Turfgrass species that require less water, fertilizer, and mowing |
What is a Right-of-Way (ROW)?
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/3/9/38394709/published/screen-shot-2020-12-03-at-12-42-08-pm.png?1607022226)
- - A right-of-way is a right of passage that allows for a person to travel across property owned by someone else
- - Land within the right-of-way is reserved for public use
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- - May be used for public streets, sidewalks, alleys, public and private utilities, etc.
- - Right-of-way width varies by location.
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- (Photo: Minneapolis Public Works)
Goals & Objectives of the Project
- Design a list of aesthetically-pleasing native vegetation plantings that can be established throughout Hopkins parks and ROWs that support pollinator populations.
- Find a sustainable funding source for this project to complete plantings and to manage the sites.
- Implement a community involvement program to aid in the planting and maintenance of the vegetation sites.
- Design a plan to effectively manage invasive species in parks and ROWs in a cost-efficient manner.
Methods
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/3/9/38394709/editor/screen-shot-2020-12-03-at-5-55-24-pm.png?1608159183)
Multiple methods were used in order to find information to design recommendations for this project. These included:
-Site visits to possible example sites in Hopkins
-Key informant interviews with city and state officials
-Extensive literature review
-Cost Estimate & Environmental Service Assessment
-ArcGIS Inventory
Findings
Findings were organized into five categories
Native Species Suitability
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/3/9/38394709/published/1528476590-01006059905-13natives06031906296.jpg?250)
- Native species enhance the perception of the aesthetics of a public space. Increased plant diversity fosters a healthy wildlife habitat and contributes to soil, water, and air quality.
- Many areas in Hopkins have been significantly modified from the pre-settlement vegetation. The native species we’ve identified are much better adapted to supporting the local ecosystem. (Photo: Star Tribune)
MnDOT Requirements
Information pertaining to MnDOT requirements was gathered from an interview with two MnDOT employees
- MnDOT provides useful information for right-of-ways related to appropriate vegetation types covering planting, management strategies, and funding sources.
- The interviewees defined some of the requirements for right of way vegetation in order to keep roadsides safe such as a 10-foot turfgrass buffer and a mix of bluegrass and smooth bromegrass.
- Learned about MnDOT’s Community Roadside Landscape Partnership program and how Hopkins can get involved in it. This program reimburses the city for the upfront costs of a new planting project but the city is still responsible for ordering, planting, and maintaining the vegetation. (Photo: Riverland)
Ecosystem Services
Ecosystem services can be defined as benefits provided to humans by the natural environment. The benefits listed below are the primary benefits for Hopkins.
Carbon SequestrationMore efficient nutrient cycling, which leads to improved soil health and water retention
(Photo: cisl.cam.ac.uk) |
Air & Water QualityLessens the excess pollutants entering local waterways and also improve air quality
Improved water and air quality reduce the risk people face of acute and chronic illness (Photo: Heat Pump Solutions) |
AestheticsEmphasizes the natural beauty in the community
(Photo: Blazing Star Gardens) |
Invasive Species
- According to the US Department of Agriculture, invasive species are defined as “A non-native (or alien) species to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.” (What are Invasive Species? n.d.)
- Invasive species can degrade the health and wealth of humans, destroy ecosystems, and reduce biodiversity
- Four invasive species were identified in Hopkins: Buckthorn, Creeping charlie, Wild parsnip, and Leafy spurge (shown below)
Community Aspects
- Research conducted with Minnesota Public Facilities Managers revealed that one of the main obstacles they face when implementing alternative vegetation and management options is resistance or complaints from the community (Ramer & Nelson, 2020). Park managers in the study found educational campaigns beneficial when garnering support for the new vegetation types. Overall, communities are less likely to resist changes to vegetation and maintenance when informed of the benefits of the project (Ramer & Nelson, 2020).
- Additional research shows that signage as “cue to care” since they add cultural value and prompt curiosity (Nassauer, 2011). They can also increase the projects' longevity and signal to park users that the planting is essential and valuable before they even read the sign.
Parks
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/3/9/38394709/published/document-1.jpg?1608156897)
The first recommendation includes increasing the number of native plants in parks to enhance habitat for pollinators, birds, and other small animals. Using flowering species that bloom year-round ensures a stable food source for pollinators that can help sustain populations. Some examples of vegetation we recommend include switchgrass, nodding onion, purple coneflower, and rough dropseed. Maintenance needs are low and fertilizer and herbicide application should be kept to a minimum. Volunteers can help maintain native plantings by participating in initial planting and hand-pulling weeds. Possible funding sources include the Conservation Legacy Program, Blue Thumb Grant, or local business partnerships. Along with adding native gardens, augmenting the turfgrass will also improve the parks. Low-input turfgrass, such as fine fescues, can be interseeded in sparse areas. If a site has recently been disturbed and contains bare soil, this is an ideal time to plant low-input grass seed. (Photo: City of Hopkins)
Right-of-Ways
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/3/9/38394709/published/hwyrow.jpg?1608156887)
The second recommendation is catered towards ROWs. We recommend planting low maintenance, native species that can thrive in high salinity, near roadsides. We recommend a mix of low-input turfgrass and fine fescues. The introduction or conversion to fine fescues aids in reducing soil erosion while lowering maintenance costs due to reduced labor and supplies. The city must keep in mind MnDOT requirements to keep roads safe by avoiding tall plants. Recommendations for roadside vegetation includes a 10 foot buffer zone of turfgrass and limited pollinator plants on a busy roadside to protect their populations. Past the 10-foot buffer zone native vegetation can be planted. Hopkins can consider working with MnDOTs Community Roadside Landscaping Program for implementation cost. It is also recommended that more immediate funding avenues such as business sponsorships be considered for the project. (Photo: MN Department of Transportation)
Community Engagement
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/3/9/38394709/published/img-3066-0.jpg?1608158968)
To help Hopkins reduce costs of maintenance and planting for these projects, we recommend using the community as an avenue of assistance. A volunteer coordinator position (volunteer or unpaid internship) can be implemented to recruit, thank, and manage volunteers for events. We also suggest utilizing Hopkin's monthly newsletter and active Facebook page to garner feedback and interest about the park and ROW plantings. Informing and educating the community on changes can mitigate initial negative responses so including infographics in the Hopkins newsletter and Facebook is an easy way to reach a wide audience. Implementing signage at each planting location, especially parks, is recommended for spreading awareness about the project and its benefits as well. Business partnerships allow companies to sponsor and fund a project, eliminating costs and providing more volunteers. Lastly, Hopkins could develop an adopt-a-ROW program to promote consistent maintenance, such as weed pulling and seeding. (Photo: OIP)
Invasive Species Management
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/3/9/38394709/pa-sfi-environmental-logging-invasive-png-290-283-1_orig.png)
Based on on-site visits and GIS analysis, we identified management strategies for four of the most common invasive species in Hopkins: Buckthorn, Creeping Charlie, Leafy Spurge, and Wild Parsnip. (Photo: PNGio)
Buckthorn: Since buckthorn thrives in disturbed soil, it is recommended that berry-producing plants are pulled out first before putting an effort towards removing all of the buckthorn. If the buckthorn is too large to pull out, then chemical treatment on stumps is most effective.
Creeping Charlie: Preventing the introduction of creeping charlie is the best management strategy. If creeping charlie has already been introduced to the site, hand weeding focusing on removing all stems and roots can be useful on smaller areas.
Leafy Spurge: The best method for controlling this species' spread is to mow the site right before herbicide application. Application is best made in September and October when native species are beginning to go dormant
Wild Parsnip: The Minnesota DNR recommends cutting the stem below the root crown before seeds develop. Several years of repeated mowing in the spring will likely be most effective at eliminating wild parsnip and allowing natives to flourish (“Wild Parsnip” n.d.). When working with wild parsnip, it is always recommended that you wear long sleeves, pants, and gloves to mitigate contact.
Buckthorn: Since buckthorn thrives in disturbed soil, it is recommended that berry-producing plants are pulled out first before putting an effort towards removing all of the buckthorn. If the buckthorn is too large to pull out, then chemical treatment on stumps is most effective.
Creeping Charlie: Preventing the introduction of creeping charlie is the best management strategy. If creeping charlie has already been introduced to the site, hand weeding focusing on removing all stems and roots can be useful on smaller areas.
Leafy Spurge: The best method for controlling this species' spread is to mow the site right before herbicide application. Application is best made in September and October when native species are beginning to go dormant
Wild Parsnip: The Minnesota DNR recommends cutting the stem below the root crown before seeds develop. Several years of repeated mowing in the spring will likely be most effective at eliminating wild parsnip and allowing natives to flourish (“Wild Parsnip” n.d.). When working with wild parsnip, it is always recommended that you wear long sleeves, pants, and gloves to mitigate contact.
Our Partners
A special thanks to the partners that assisted us over the course of this project
Additional Information About Hopkins
- Link to Hopkins' 2040 Draft Comprehensive Plan
- Link to Hopkins' Official Website (Contains information on Hopkins' news, amenities, events, and activities)
References
Photos (appearance from top of webpage to bottom):
Hopkins photos: Bridget Robertson Native vegetation: MN DNR Pollinator species: Xerces Society Low-Input Turfgrass: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum ROW Image: Minneapolis Public Works Site Visit Map: Dirk Last Native Species: Star Tribune MnDOT: Riverland Soil Icon: cisl.cam.ac.uk Water Quality: Heat Pump Solutions Aesthetics: Blazing Star Gardens Buckthorn: Friends of the Mississippi River Creeping Charlie: Maine.gov Wild Parsnip: MN Department of Agriculture Leafy Spurge: MN Department of Agriculture Community Aspects: Deinstitutionalization.com Recommendation photo: Emily Casper Park: City of Hopkins ROW: MN Department of Transportation Community Planting: OIP Invasive Species: PNGio City of Hopkins: City of Hopkins UMN: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities MN DNR logo: MN Department of Natural Resources |
Literature (alphabetical by author last name):
Nassauer, J. I. (2011). Care and stewardship: From home to planet. Landscape and Urban Planning, 100(4), 321–323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2011.02.022 Ramer, H., & Nelson, K. C. (2020). Applying ‘action situation’ concepts to public land managers’ perceptions of flowering bee lawns in urban parks. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 53, 126711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126711 What are Invasive Species? (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/what-are-invasive-species Wild Parsnip. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/weedcontrol/noxiouslist/wildparsnip |