Seidl's Lake Park
STATUS: COMPROMISED
Map to Seidl's Lake Park
Seidl's Lake Park is an approximately 20-acre park preserve that envelops Seidl's Lake, as well as dense, previously undisturbed, deciduous forest. This park is the unique product of cooperation between South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights, to preserve a rare piece of natural beauty in the midst of encroaching development. The story of Seidl's Lake Park begins as one that represents a victory for open space preservation, which is now threatened by miscommunication and development mishaps.
STATUS: COMPROMISED
In June 2003, a developer (Centex) acquired permission to construct three settling ponds to accommodate the increased runoff from its newly developed land to the south and west of the lake. To construct these ponds, 2.6 acres of the park were clear cut and a portion of the paved trail within the park was destroyed. Two settling ponds and the high banks of the third now reside in Seidl's Lake Park. City and state officials, the community, and Centex are now discussing how to compensate for this loss.
Seidl's Lake Park is an oasis in a suburban
area - looking north from the walking path
HOW TO GET THERE
Seidl's Lake Park is located on the border of Inver Grove Heights and South St. Paul. It can be found within a wooded residential area at 47th Street and Bower Path just over a mile off of Interstate 494 in Inver Grove Heights. The best way to enjoy the park is to use the trail entrance on the north side of the lake. (Currently the trail on the south side of the lake is under construction.) To get there from 494, take the 5th and 7th Avenue exit (exit number 65), turn left over the freeway onto 7th Avenue South and go six blocks north. Take a left onto 4th Street South and go east to 14th Avenue South. You can park on 4th Street South and walk to the trail head. The park is on your left.
WHAT YOU CAN DO AT SEIDL'S LAKE PARK
People come here to enjoy nature and view wildlife while walking along the paved trail that runs through the middle of the preserve and along the east side of the lake. Though a large portion of this trail has been destroyed to construct settling ponds, new trails may be established. There is also a playground in the southeast corner of the park, and a fishing dock on the north side of the lake.
Enjoy walking trails around part of the lake
DESCRIPTION
Seidl's Lake Park is one of the last remaining pieces of undisturbed forest. Dense stands of oak, birch, and elm surround 14-acre Seidl's Lake, providing habitat for a variety of wildlife including herons, waterfowl, fox, and deer. Once within the park, the tall trees and dense understory take you away from the sounds of the city to a quiet oasis within suburbia. The lake itself is fed by storm water from five storm sewer inlets and provides drainage for large portions of South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights.
THREAT AND RESPONSE
The Seidl's Lake area has been the center of debate for years. In objection to city proposals to develop the area, residents started pressuring both cities to protect Seidl's Lake as a natural area. After a number of neighborhood meetings and petitions from 1988 through 1990, with help from the River Environmental Action Project (REAP), the community requested that the cities of South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights work together toward preservation of Seidl's Lake.
In 1990, the Seidl's Lake Task Force presented its recommendation to both cities. One recommendation was for "the City Councils of South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights to direct city staff to pursue public control of Seidl's Lake, to preserve the natural integrity of the area and to ensure adequate storm water drainage area." In 1992, the cities voted to purchase the property in the form of a joint powers agreement. In 1993, a final grant agreement was reached between Inver Grove Heights ($50,000), South St. Paul ($50,000), the State of Minnesota ($50,000), and the National Park Service (Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program $50,000) to purchase 15.5 acres and establish a park.
To construct settling ponds, 2.6 acres of
trees were cleared, which compromised the
beauty of the city parkland
Under the Outdoor Recreation Grant Project Agreement, "The Grantee [the cities] shall not at anytime convert any property acquired or developed pursuant to this Agreement to uses other than the public outdoor recreation specified in this Agreement without prior written approval of the Grantor [State of Minnesota]." At this time Inver Grove Heights set up a water quality monitoring program. As part of the Citizen-Assisted Monitoring Program (CAMP), local residents Harvey and Janet Bartz monitor Seidl's Lake; they take measurements and samples fourteen times each summer. Harvey and Janet noted deteriorating water quality ratings from 1995 until 1999. However, in 2000-01, ratings began to improve. They had hoped this would be a continuing trend; however, ratings for 2002 worsened. But, what was the culprit for this most recent decline?
In fall 2001, Centex Homes purchased 101 acres of land adjacent to the park and acquired permits to build the 600-unit Lafayette Park townhouse development. In 2002, runoff from the construction site washed out portions of the park trail and deposited large amounts of sediment into Seidl's Lake. Realizing that action was needed to protect the lake from further degradation, Centex asked Inver Grove Heights for permission to construct three settling ponds. Because of the nature of this land alteration (storm water settling ponds) the city was not legally obligated to hold a public hearing even though two of the ponds and the bank of the third were clearly within park boundaries. Centex was granted permission by the city of Inver Grove Heights to excavate and build the ponds.
CURRENT SITUATION
In June 2003, to the shock of residents and some city officials, Centex cleared 2.6 acres of parkland and destroyed a portion of the nature trail to construct the three settling ponds. The ponds were constructed on a flatter portion of the park, an area that was more accessible, as much of the parkland to the north is steep. Residents feel that "they have cut the heart out of the park."
The DNR is requiring Inver Grove Heights to replace the parkland used for the ponds. While the City of Inver Grove Heights is requiring Centex to replace the more than 200 trees it removed from the park, discussions are underway regarding where this parkland can be obtained. Residents are asking for an area adjacent to the park in the southwestern corner which is comparable to the land that was "taken," and not the steep undevelopable land to the north. Negotiations are also underway for the placement of new trails in the park.
LOCAL CONTACTS
Mary Bisek
Park and Recreation Director
Inver Grove Heights
651-450-2587
Harvey Bartz
Resident of Inver Grove Heights and
activist for the welfare of Seidl's Lake Park
651-450-7531