Urbandale resident asks council to rewild portion of Timberline East to tallgrass prairie

Ian Fefczyk Robinson, a Urbandale resident, asked the City Council during the citizen forum to convert part of the Timberline East open space back to native tallgrass prairie to increase climate resilience and habitat for pollinators. "I stand before you to propose that we take a portion of that section and rewild it, turn it back into prairie," Robinson said, showing photographs of standing water on turf and contrasting images of unmaintained natural areas.

Robinson told the council he lives in the Days Run Park area and said the open space near Timberline East currently is a "sea of green regular turf grass" that does not capture stormwater as a prairie would. He cited the 2008 floods as personal context for why greater infiltration matters and said rewilding could reduce basement flooding and restore habitat for species such as monarch butterflies.

Robinson also noted proximity to Living History Farms and suggested a restored prairie could complement that existing attraction and offer educational opportunities. He said he left contact information for city staff and residents who want to follow up.

The council did not take action on the proposal during the meeting; Robinson spoke during the public forum, and the item was informational only. No staff report, agenda item, motion or vote was taken on rewilding at this meeting.

Community members or councilors who want to pursue this further would need to request a staff study or an agenda item; Robinson told the council he had photographs and background material available for follow-up.