Revised June 19, 2024
“We love Shorewood for its natural beauty”… “We moved here for the trees.” – Residents
A walk through Freeman Park’s woodland is heartbreaking. Decades of buckthorn have ravaged the hardwoods and other native plants. Massive stands of ash and elm trees are in rapid decline. The walking trails are under water or slick with mud and in desperate need of rebuilding. South of the LRT, the edges of the new Smithtown pond, are infested with tall thistles and burdock, violating the City’s own weed/nuisance ordinance, 501.04, Subd. 8a.
There is a stark contrast between the well-manicured green ballfields, and the condition of the woods and trails. The parks Master Plan provides decade’s long guidance for the sports facilities. But neither the park commission nor Park & Rec Director had the foresight to plan for maintenance in the wooded areas. In fact, the wooded areas are not specifically part of the park & rec managers’ job description.
The City Council needs a reminder that residents value natural spaces. These treasured spaces must become an immediate priority, now and in the future. For example, the recent buckthorn removal project at Freeman Park showed poor planning and execution (let alone wasting $80,000 of taxpayer money) and little regard for resident insight and knowledge.
This situation is not exclusive to Freeman Park. It includes all city-owned natural areas: Storm water ponds, wetlands and road right-of-ways (ROW). A short-lived attempt at “forest management” happened with an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP), developed with S&S (nowDavey Resource Group) in 2017. Less than a year later, city staff reported the UFMP “would not be implemented according to the original schedule, due to other factors” with no explanation.
It’s also important to know that the UFMP:
- Did not address the hundreds of trees on park, and other public land, further indicating city officials have not focused on the natural spaces in our parks.
- Calls for replacement of ROW, trees which violate the ordinance against trees in the ROW, Sec. 901.03.
- Recommends the City appoint a “natural resource professional” responsible for implementing the program, which never happened.
The administration has yet to present a buckthorn management program to the City Council or to make a new plan to manage the coming onslaught of dead ash trees in our parks. The new Park & Rec Director appears to be interested primarily in sports organizations (most that don’t live in the city) and community center relationships. What about us? There is nothing specifically in the Park & Rec job description about managing the natural areas of our parks, etc. And, there’s nothing in the Master Plan (last update in 2012) about managing the natural areas of our parks! Why not?
It’s apparent that after many years of limited public discussion, Public Works doesn’t have the staffing to make Shorewood’s natural resources a priority. Furthermore, they haven’t considered contracting these services, or using volunteers. City leadership seems to have been more focused on adding administrative staff and upgrading salaries, at great expense, rather than focusing on the needs of residents in the community. Meanwhile, there seems to be a glaring lack of expertise and commitment at senior levels when it comes to managing the public lands.
Here are some important facts:
Per 2024 Budget
Parks and Rec Expenses: $477,000
Parks and Rec Revenues: $35,000 from sports and community center
Deficit: $442,000
Job Description of Park & Rec Director
Environmental Stewardship: Responsible for the protection of the city parks and facilities, under the policy direction of the city council. Promotes and develops effective facilities and systems to maximize the public’s enjoyment and use of the park land in harmony with the environment protection and stewardship.
City Mission Statement
The City of Shorewood is committed to providing residents quality public services, a healthy environment, a variety of attractive amenities, a sustainable tax base, and sound financial management through effective, efficient, and visionary leadership.
The Council must make the management of Shorewood natural spaces a priority. This takes a financial commitment, firm direction to city staff from the Council, and a solid plan of action that includes measurements for success. It takes leadership. Residents have repeatedly shown the value they place on Shorewood’s natural spaces. It is time for this Council to step up and be thoughtful, consistent stewards of our natural spaces.
Here’s how to voice your opinion:
1. Contact City Council Members
Dustin Maddy (612) 293-6727
Jennifer Labadie (952) 836-8719
Scott Zerby (952) 905-4444
Guy Sanschagrin (952) 217-1289
Paula Callies (763) 546-8020
2. Contact City Administration Members
Marc Nevinski (952) 960-7905 or email mnevinski@ci.shorewood.mn.us
Matt Moriem (952) 960-7913 or email mmorreim@ci.shorewood.mn.us
Mitch Czech (952) 960-7925 or email mczech@ci.shorewood.mn.us
3. Attend City Council Meetings every 2nd and 4th Monday at 7:00PM City Hall. You will be allowed three minutes to speak at Matters from the Floor, at the beginning of the meeting.
The City Council elections are November 5 and the 2025 budgeting process starts in late summer. Residents can influence this administration in making the best decisions for We The People and embrace the priorities of what citizens expect for these public amenities.
Know who and and what you are voting for and remember that Residents are at the top of the city organization.
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