7. PRSR 04-11-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I. Introduction This report presents the Management Plan for the Top of the World Park Natural Area within the City of Elk River. The site lies north of the Top of the World Park and to the east of the City trail located on the abandoned Great Northern rail bed. The inventory for this report used the existing information from the Elk River Natural Resources Inventory (2004). The inventory was designed to document as many existing plant species as possible, as well as how frequently they occur within the forest and then used to classify and qualitatively rank existing natural communities according to the system developed by the MN DNR, Natural Heritage Program and used by the MN DNR County Biological Survey staff. At the time of Euroamerican settlement, oak woodland and savanna, along with prairie were common in Elk River and Sherburne County. Many of these original savannas, also known as oak barrens were either cut, or became more closed forests and woodlands. Top of the World Park Addition is an example of an area that was historically more open, and has become well-treed since settlement. Despite this change, it is in very good condition. This Management Plan details activities for the forest at Top of the World Addition Natural Area that are recommended with an eye toward maintaining and/or improving the ecological quality of the site. Successful management of this forest will require that a wide variety of people continue to be involved. These include city staff, residents, and other natural resource managers. As this area continues to develop, it is important that neighboring citizens be kept informed of activities, and the supporting science behind management decisions. This will create a group of citizens who are better informed, more involved, and take a proprietary interest in the restoration and maintenance of the quality of this forest. Top of the World Park Addition Resource Management Goals ^ Management of the oak forest to maintain composition, structure, and function of the community ^ Maintain oak dominance within community by using resource management activities that foster recruitment of young oak into the canopy ^ As development occurs in the area surrounding the forest, establish buffers for the forest ^ Maintain existing trails to enable resource management and provide opportunities for compatible activities such as walking, jogging, and cross- country skiing A location map for Top of the World Park can be found on the following page Top of the World Park Addition Natural Area Management Plan