Page Community Park Habitat Restoration

This grant application seeks $11,286.92 in funding through the Conservation Partners Legacy program to restore 3.66 acres of native plant communities on the site of the Page Community Park. Page Township and its Park Advisory Committee of active citizen will contribute $2,841.54 toward completion of the project. Included in the grant budget are site preparation, seeding/planting, and post-establishment maintenance to ensure long-term success and the prevention of invasive species returning.

The restoration will transform a highly visible and accessible site from a degraded hay field into a quality habitat and recreational asset. Benefiting animal species include: pollinators (especially Monarch, bumble bee, and other native invertebrates), song birds, game birds, amphibians, and small mammals. The site is located just upland of the Rum River Wild and Scenic River corridor, an important migration route and habitat in its own right.

The restoration area is divided by soil type and hydrology into two project areas: Mesic Prairie (2.21 acres) and Sedge Meadow (1.45 acres). These complete communities will each have over 30 species of grasses and forbs. Pollinator forage will be available throughout the growing season. A small portion (0.37 acres) of the restoration will include fruit- and nut-bearing shrubs, hardwoods, and conifers. The project will thus provide habitat for both forage and shelter purposes to all benefiting animal species.

By engaging volunteer labor, utilizing on-site seed sources, and providing substantial in-kind support, this project will establish high-quality, native habitat at a very cost-effective price to state taxpayers.