Theodore Wirth Regional Park Master Planning and Development Update

This is the third regular update about improvements underway in Wirth Park. These updates are being provided at the recommendation of the Citizen Advisory Committee which worked on developing the new adopted concept master plan for the park.

In addition to this written update, MPRB staff will facilitate a short meeting to discuss this information (open to the public) as follows:

Friday, October 11^th, 10:30 – 11:30AM

MPRB Headquarters, Powderhorn Conference Room

2117 West River Road, Minneapolis, 55411

The following projects have recent progress to report in Wirth Park:

Sustainable Trail Planning and Implementation: Using the board approved Wirth Park Concept Plan as a guide, work has begun on the sustainable natural surface trails northwest of Theo Wirth Parkway and Glenwood Ave. The work is being constructed under the direction of our consultant, Schoenbauer Consulting LLC and built by a local professional trail building company (Trail Source, LLC). Both of which have many years of experience building sustainable natural surface trails.

Equipment being used includes a mini excavator and a walk behind excavator. Seed and other measures are being installed to prevent erosion during construction. Old woodchip accesses and old unsustainable trails will be closed off and re-vegetated. New trails will be one-way and brown blade signs will be installed to indicate trail direction. New trail maps will be produced over the winter and will be installed next year.

Additional trail work will focus on improvement of walking trails in the back 40 area near Twin Lake and connecting to the Hidden Lakes neighborhood trail. This work will correct erosion areas and other unsustainable trail sections as planned in the Wirth Concept Plan.

It is important to note that with any construction project the construction process looks much different than the final product. Trail features will compact slightly after construction ends as soils solidify. The finished natural surface trail tread width will range from 6-18 inches, with a three foot wide corridor clear of branches to pass through comfortably. Low vegetation will fill in the rest of the excavate areas.

Wirth Park trail under construction Photo

Example of 3-year old trail in Woodbury Photo

Natural Surface Trail Construction PDF 

Some background on this type of trail:

• This project is the Park Board’s first internal implementation of sustainable trail design/construction using a contractor – this is an important pilot project to learn about this type of construction and to implement future natural surface trails for all uses.
• One of the key tenants of sustainable earthen trails is that they don’t go directly up and down hills; instead they traverse across slopes and use short up and down segments to minimize erosion. To see the impact of long-term trail erosion that happens when trails climb directly up and down slopes, look at the older hiking trails in south Wirth.
• In hilly conditions like Wirth Park, this strategy means that trails must meander or “switch back” at a sustainable pitch to get from high ground to low ground.
• This technique also uses trails that are ‘benched’ or notched into the side of slopes – this is much more stable than building out on a slope. The upward and downward slopes impacted by the construction quickly regenerate vegetation; only the actively used tread area stays open as a natural surface.
• This segment of trail is designed as a “flow trail” and uses gently rolling grade changes to give bikers momentum. This type of trail suits a broad spectrum of rider abilities. Paths designed primarily for walking will have less pronounced rolling and will not have bermed features unless needed for shedding water.

Storm Seeding: This is the end of the first year of a three year restoration project in areas of the park damaged by the 2011 tornado and resulting tree removals. Due to wet weather conditions this spring and vigorous weed regeneration, an additional round of herbicide will be applied to restoration areas in the park this fall. Seeding native upland and lowland seed mixes will be completed prior to hard freeze of the soils. Two years of vegetation management will follow the seeding to control undesirable species and ensure establishment of native vegetation. (October 1 seeding update press release).

 Loppet Volunteer Tree Planting

On Saturday, September 28^th, Loppet volunteers will plant approximately 50 trees north of the Wirth Chalet this fall. The trees will be planted on both sides of the parkway, just north of the granite bridge and in a cluster just south of the BN Railroad bridge at the north end of the park. The trees and watering are donated by Bachman’s as a park beautification effort. A mixture of deciduous canopy and ornamental trees will be planted, such as crabapple, oak, willow and cottonwood. Trees will be suited to the different soil conditions in these two areas. To volunteer, contact the Loppet Foundation, volunteer@loppet.org

Wirth Pavilion Rehabilitation: The Pavilion Rehabilitation is nearly complete. Event use has been underway since June, while repairs to the sanitary sewer were completed. Final finishing in the kitchen is underway. The grand opening will be scheduled for mid-October. Keep your eyes open for a press release announcing the date.

Winter Recreation Hilton Fund-Winter Recreation and Golf Cart Storage Building: The two old golf cart storage buildings have been demolished and new building parts are being manufactured and will be constructed on site in October-November. This building will be an un-heated storage building for golf carts and mowers in summer and for winter grooming equipment in winter.

Bassett Creek Restoration (main stem)

This work, funded by the Clean Water fund of the Legacy Amendment as well as Bassett Creek Watershed Commission levy funds, will repair erosion areas along the creek from Golden Valley Road to Irving Avenue North. Construction documents are currently under development by WSB Engineering. Work will focus on defined segments of the creek where bank erosion is severe and will re-shape banks and stabilize them using different techniques including , seeding, shrub planting soil stabilization logs, rock vanes and boulders as appropriate. Work may begin as soon as winter 2014 if plans and permitting are completed in time to do work when ground is frozen.

Master Plan Document: Staff are continuing to review and edit the text and some graphics for the plan. The public comment period is planned to go to the full board later this year. At that time the plan will be available for public review and comment for 45 days. It will be posted online, as well as printed for review at MPRB headquarters and selected Recreation Centers. A full list of locations will be posted when the document is released. After the formal public comment period ends, the plan will be edited and submitted to the MPRB Board for adoption and Met Council review.

Fundraising Agreement with the Loppet Foundation:  A development and fundraising Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Loppet Foundation for the Welcome Center Building and surrounding area was approved by the Park Board of Commissioners on May 22, 2013. Next steps include private fundraising for the project and design refinement of relocation of holes 17 and 18 of the golf course. 

Bottineau Transitway - Theodore Wirth Regional Park (TWP) Forum

The final report of the Theodore Wirth Regional Park Forum, a multi‐day design charrette held in March to generate early ideas for the anticipated Bottineau Transitway as it travels through Theodore Wirth Park was presented to the Park Board and is posted on the project webpage. 

The forum drew over 50 community attendees with a wide range of input that was captured and wrapped into design concepts by the professional planning team. Many of the ideas informed the concepts for the two transit station options identified by Hennepin County at Plymouth Avenue and Golden Valley Road.

Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Council will consider the ideas generated at the forum as they continue to plan the transitway and the concept drawings will provide an excellent communication tool for people to express their interests and concerns for the transitway.

Wirth Beach Parking Lot and Trails (Phase 3): This work is complete and maintenance periods for plants and wetland plants are still in effect.