Proposal 2024-090
Proposal 2024-090
Email: [email protected]
Project Location
What is the best scale for describing where your work will take place?
Region(s): Central
What is the best scale to describe the area impacted by your work?
Region(s): Central
1
Narrative
Describe the opportunity or problem your proposal seeks to address. Include any relevant background information.
Riverside park was designed by the Minnesota DOT as a tourist park and constructed by the WPA in 1936. Water was
diverted into a ditch which was dug by WPA workers to deliver water to 2 ponds dug for ice skating. The ditch then
delivered overflow back to the river. Three concrete bridges were constructed on paths which crossed the ditch. The
Sportsmen's Club financed the building of a clubhouse made of fieldstone, and a fieldstone tower provided light for
evening skating. During WWII, the park flooded. Neither men nor machines were available to maintain the park. In
1953 the land was sold to a private individual. It was sold again in 1960 to a contractor who used part of the north pond
as a dump for demolition debris. Over the years, the ditch filled with sediment and tree roots. The stonework became a
canvas for graffiti, and the ground became littered with trash. The land changed hand several times. The most recent
owner offered to give the land to the city if funding became available for restoration and in 2017 following his death, his
family gave the land back to the city.
What is your proposed solution to the problem or opportunity discussed above? Introduce us to the work you are
seeking funding to do. You will be asked to expand on this proposed solution in Activities & Milestones.
Today the ponds at Riverside present an opportunity to offset predicted extreme events of climate change by providing
a reservoir. The ditch will be cleaned and sediment removed from the ponds so that the ponds can retain more water
and mitigate future flooding. Two culverts will be placed where park paths have been washed out. Park paths will be
leveled and seeded to prevent future erosion. Plant life in the park has been inventoried by a MN Master Naturalist;
invasive species will be removed while pollinator plants and other native species will be encouraged. The demolition
debris in a section of the north pond will be leveled in order to create a parking area for visitors.
What are the specific project outcomes as they relate to the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation,
and enhancement of the state’s natural resources?
The outcomes of this project will be to enhance the water retention of this area and restore native vegetation while
providing a nature area for public hiking and biking in the summer and ice skating or x-country skiing in the winter.
2
Activities and Milestones
Activity Description:
The original park paths were 12 feet wide and provided an entrance and exit loop from Riverside Drive as well as a path
to the Sportsman's Lodge. During the past 87 years, trees and bushes have grown on the paths in some places while
dirt and demolition debris have been dumped in other places. These paths will be cleared, leveled and seeded.
Approaches to Riverside Drive will be provided. Two culverts will be installed to allow the flow of water under the paths.
Activity Milestones:
Description Approximate
Completion Date
Paths will be cleared of brush and tree stumps. July 31, 2024
Two culverts will be installed. August 31, 2024
Paths will be graded and seeded September 30, 2024
Activity Description:
During the last 84 years, the ditch leading to the ponds and back to the river has partially filled with sediment and tree
roots. The ponds have partially filled with sediment and demolition debris. The ditch will be dredged. Debris and
sediment will be removed from the ponds.
Activity Milestones:
Description Approximate
Completion Date
Tree roots and sediment will be removed from the ditch. October 31, 2024
Sediment will be removed from the north and south ponds September 30, 2025
3
Project Partners and Collaborators
Name Organization Role Receiving
Funds
Ted Gray City of Long Project Manager Yes
Prairie
Provide description of the project manager’s qualifications to manage the proposed project.
Ted Gray is the city administrator for Long Prairie. He has managed past improvements for both streets and parks in
our community. He works well with all members of our city council He also had experience in banking before becoming
our city administrator.
Organization Description:
Long Prairie, which was named after the river flowing through the city, is located in central Minnesota and is bordered
on the south by beautiful Lake Charlotte. One of the oldest settlements in the state, it began 175 years ago in 1845
when it was selected by the U.S. government as the site of the Winnebago Indian Agency. Later Long Prairie became the
county seat of Todd County because it was centrally located at the junctions of US Hwy 71, State Hwy 27 and County
Hwy 287. The city today offers quality medical facilities, diverse industrial opportunities, excellent schools, and a
variety of businesses and recreational activities. Today's current population of 3,597 is almost as diverse as the original
community with over a quarter of our citizens speaking Spanish. The rural area around Long Prairie is home to both
small and large farms, a large community a Amish farmers, some lake homes and several businesses.
4
Budget Summary
Category / Subcategory Description Purpose Gen. % # Class $ Amount
Name or Type Ineli Bene FTE ified
gible fits Staff?
Personnel
Sub -
Total
Contracts
and Services
Aquatic Professional This service will clean the ponds. 0 $45,000
Restoration or Technical
Service Service
Contract
J&J Professional This company will reconstruct original paths, install 2 0 $96,000
Dirtworks or Technical culverts and clean the ditch leading from the river to
Service the ponds and back to the river as well as cleaning the
Contract waterway between the ponds.
Sub $141,000
Total
Equipment,
Tools, and
Supplies
Sub -
Total
Capital
Expenditures
Sub -
Total
Acquisitions
and
Stewardship
Sub -
Total
Travel In
Minnesota
Sub -
Total
Travel
Outside
Minnesota
5
Sub -
Total
Printing and
Publication
Sub -
Total
Other
Expenses
Sub -
Total
Grand $141,000
Total
6
Classified Staff or Generally Ineligible Expenses
Category/Name Subcategory or Description Justification Ineligible Expense or Classified Staff Request
Type
7
Non ENRTF Funds
Category Specific Source Use Status Amount
State
State Sub -
Total
Non-State
Non State -
Sub Total
Funds -
Total
8
Attachments
Required Attachments
Visual Component
File: f16b197c-cf7.pdf
Administrative Use
Does your project include restoration or acquisition of land rights?
No
Does your project have potential for royalties, copyrights, patents, or sale of products and assets?
No
Do you understand and acknowledge IP and revenue-return and sharing requirements in 116P.10?
N/A
Do you wish to request reinvestment of any revenues into your project instead of returning revenue to the ENRTF?
N/A
Does your project include the design, construction, or renovation of a building, trail, campground, or other capital
asset costing $10,000 or more?
No
Do you propose using an appropriation from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to conduct a project
that provides children's services, as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 299C.61 Subd.7?
No