Education Articles
Freeman Park Woods – FUTURE PLAN
By Barry Brown – Freeman Park Advocate
On June 11th your voice counts! People often ask: What are the plans for Freeman Park wooded areas and trails now that most of the buckthorn has been cleared from 20 acres of woodland? To be blunt, the City of Shorewood had no plan when they cleared the buckthorn except to utilize a $50,000 grant from the DNR that was about to expire, and still, has no workable plan today.
Enforcement Alert: Drinking Water Systems to Address Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
EPA Increases Enforcement Activities to Ensure Drinking Water Systems Address Cybersecurity Threats What is your city’s security plan? Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency This Enforcement Alert provides community water systems (CWSs) with information on immediate steps they can take
The Gift of Master Gardeners
This time of year, many of us are shopping for new plants for our gardens, planting our vegetable gardens, or cleaning out diseased trees or bushes. We are fortunate to have tremendous resources to support our beautiful gardens through the University of Minnesota.
Quick Facts: Invasive Garlic Mustard
Chances are Eurasian Garlic Mustard is about to burst into full bloom somewhere close to you. It blankets forest floors, yards and road ditches. Here are some facts about the weed and how to manage it.
Get Smarter: The Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail (LRT)
The Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail, commonly known as the “LRT” trail stretches over 15 miles between Hopkins and Carver Park Reserve, offering scenic views of Lake Minnetonka along the way. This aggregate trail passes through Minnetonka, Deephaven, Greenwood, Excelsior, Shorewood
Is Shorewood Ready to Manage a Crisis?
SCA editors view the city council meeting and work session videos. Our mission includes promoting transparency and accountability by evaluating council discussion and decisions. So, we took note when CM Sanschagrin made a nondescript suggestion at the Feb. 26 meeting, that the Council discuss the existence of Shorewood’s Crisis Management Plan (CMP). The context of his comment and question, reveals that as a newer councilmember, he had not been made aware of a CMP. Neither had we!
Is The “Tree City” Managing its Urban Forest?
This article will explain the history of a taxpayer-funded Urban Forest Management Plan process for Shorewood, and how it has evolved to current day.
The City seems to be facing the “perfect storm” for tree management on its properties:
Emerald Ash Borer, oak wilt, lingering Dutch elm, buckthorn and other woody invasives, several years of drought and a winter without enough snow to blanket tree roots exacerbate the situation.
The Fire Lane Discussion Fizzles Out
Shorewood’s fire lanes are public-owned property currently intended to provide an opportunity for residents to access Lake Minnetonka for passive use.
Fire lanes are an amenity for residents who do not have the privilege of owning lakeshore property.
In a city with extremely limited access to Lake Minnetonka this may be considered a matter of equity.
Get Smarter: Watch Your Council Members in Action
One of the best ways to see if a council member earned your vote is to watch them in action. Zoom has added another level of “observation.” History shows this method was endangered in 2022. All Shorewood Council meetings and
