An Urban-Bound Pocket of Old Minnesota
Twenty minutes southwest
of Minneapolis, woodpecker tapping and loon calls echo
as kids amble along a trail in Birch Island Woods. 36 acres
of this sanctuary of trees and wetlands have been protected
by the City
of Eden Prairie. Birch Island Woods Conservation Area was
formed after the City agreed to buy 32 acres of the woods
from Hennepin County in December
2001 and was expanded with the purchase of an old, 4-acre
farmstead in March 2007. What was called “the Orphan Woods” back
in 1998 has been rescued from McMansions.
Grass roots dedication, hard work and partnering with the wider community,
government agencies, land owners and voters has secured and can now nurture
an urban-bound pocket of Old Minnesota.
Birch Island District:
Living with nature and history
The Birch Island District embraces
Eden Prairie’s
most important and sustainable cluster of scenic, natural,
historic, recreational and outdoors oriented human service resources.
The area is accessible
by bike trails and roads to residents of Minnetonka, Hopkins
and Eden Prairie.
- Lakes, wetlands, woods, wildlife and bird habitats, Glen Lake Golf
Center
- Picha Heritage Farm, archeological and national
historic sites
- Hike, bike, nature and ski trails linked to the
MN River Bluffs Regional Trail
- Eden Wood’s camp for special needs children
and a conference center
|
Heritage
District
