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
