11-06-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Existing conditions at the buildings lower west entry The existing entry walk as seen from the parking lot Existing entrance to the prairie Compost Site Existing Conditions One of two Anoka County Compost sites is located near the main entrance to Wargo Nature Center. The site is a drop-off location for Anoka County residents to properly dispose of leaves, grass and tree waste. In its current configuration, the compost site: • Feels disjointed from the nature center • Detracts somewhat from the entry experience to the nature center Needs • Improved physical and programmatic integration with the nature center • A partnership with Anoka County's Integrated Waste Management Division to implement proposed improvements • Parking lot outside of entrance gate, near compost site Natural Resources Existing Conditions Wargo Nature Center is unique in that there are four distinct habitats — prairie, woodland, wetland, and water- in a relatively small area. This provides the opportunity for a diversity of visitor experiences. There are extensive wetland areas, a maple -basswood forest, and a restored prairie: • The restored prairie area provides nice natural surface walking trails and currently houses an observation blind in poor condition • The extensive wetland system provides excellent bird habitat • The pine plantation in the upland area south of the entry drive is overgrown • The Maple Basswood forest on the peninsula includes a strong presence of green ash and buckthorn Needs • More proactive utilization and access to the four ecotypes within the full site • Replacement or removal of the existing blind in the prairie area • Forest management plans that: • Guide actions within in the Maple Basswood forest in anticipation of a potential Emerald Ash Borer invasion and existing buckthorn • Guide thinning within the pine plantation to improve stand health 22 Chapter 3: Existing Conditions & Needs