DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Acquire Wicklund Trust Property In Waterford Township And Amend 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program Budget
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the expenditure of up to $428,500 to acquire 123.5 acres and a 6,250 square foot access easement from the Jerry L. Wicklund and Audrey C. Wicklund Trust, under Agreement dated October 25, 2021, (Wicklund Trust) located in Waterford Township, authorize the Physical Development Division (PDD) Director to sign a purchase agreement, authorize designation of the acquired property as a new County Park Conservation Area (CPCA), authorize an amendment to the 2025 Parks Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget, and direct staff to submit an amendment to Park Ordinance 107 for consideration to allowing hunting within CPCAs.
SUMMARY
County staff began working with Jerry and Audrey Wicklund (Wicklund) in 2009 to permanently protect a portion of their 151-acre property in Waterford Township. The property, which includes 1,400 feet of Chub Creek, is located within the Chub Creek Conservation Focus Area, identified in the 2020 Land Conservation Plan for Dakota County, and includes a portion of the future Chub Creek Greenway corridor identified in the 2008 Dakota County 2030 Park System Plan. Several State-listed rare plants have been identified on the property. The Wicklunds have planted many native trees and prairie species over their lifetime of ownership, in addition to investing extensive effort into controlling invasive species, such as buckthorn.
The County Board of Commissioners, by Resolution No. 20-633 (December 14, 2020), approved the expenditure of up to $291,912 to acquire a 121.60-acre permanent natural area conservation easement (Easement) on the Wicklund property. However, due to a small reduction in landowner donation and a small increase in the size of the Easement, the County Board of Commissioners rescinded Resolution No. 20-633, and ...
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