In response to impending development on the former Marshall Farms property, Dell Road, a longstanding gravel path connecting Flying Cloud Drive and Crestwood Terrace in southern Dell, is scheduled for a transformation from narrow gravel to a widened, paved thoroughfare. This anticipated upgrade, however, poses a significant challenge to the diverse native plant species that currently flourish alongside this route.
According to a recent statement from the Friends of Eden Prairie Parks (FEPP), the area adjoining Dell Road supports a rich woodland ecosystem largely untouched by agriculture, urbanization, or invasive species. This ecosystem is home to a variety of native flora including Dutchman’s breeches, bloodroot, large-flowered bellwort, Solomon’s seal, jack-in-the-pulpit, native sedges, and zigzag goldenrod.
Lynsey Owen of FEPP emphasized the organization’s collaborative efforts with local authorities to rescue these high-quality native plants from potential destruction during road construction. The rescue operation involves carefully uprooting plants while preserving their root systems intact.
It is anticipated that the relocated plants will find a new home at the nearby Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area (RTA), located just a mile away from Dell Road. This area boasts a similar ecosystem conducive to the survival of these native species. FEPP and city officials have devised plans to transplant the rescued flora into sections of the RTA that have been impacted by unauthorized trails and erosion.
Owen highlighted additional conservation efforts planned for the RTA, including trail closures and maintenance aimed at addressing erosion and preserving the prairie landscape. Signs bearing the message “Trail Closed – Restoration in Progress” will mark these areas.
FEPP has issued a call for volunteers to assist with the plant rescue operation. Owen noted that previous rescue events organized by FEPP have successfully salvaged hundreds of native plants. Interested volunteers are invited to join upcoming rescue events scheduled for July 12 and 19, starting at 10 a.m. Participants should gather at Crestwood Park located at 9780 Dell Road. Essential items to bring include a garden trowel, closed-toe shoes, gloves, bug spray, sunscreen, long pants, long-sleeve shirts, and a water bottle.
For more details on how to get involved, visit friendsofepparks.org.
This proactive approach by FEPP underscores their commitment to environmental stewardship and the preservation of native biodiversity amidst ongoing urban development. As plans for Dell Road’s expansion progress, the fate of these native plants serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between development and conservation efforts in rapidly evolving landscapes.
