Council approves Park Acquisition Opportunity grants for Big Marine and Blakely Bluffs; confirms four regional park commission appointees

The Metropolitan Council approved two separate Park Acquisition Opportunity Fund grants to acquire in‑holding parcels for regional park reserves and confirmed four appointments to the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission.

Council Member Loewick moved approval of a grant to Washington County for acquisition of an 80‑acre parcel (described in the meeting as the Burren property) located within the approved boundary of Big Marine Park Reserve. Staff said the parcel contains hardwoods, more than 12 acres of wetlands and agricultural land slated for restoration; the property was appraised at $1,715,000 and the seller agreed to that amount. Loewick moved "that the Metropolitan Council approve a grant of up to 1,300,682 from the Park Acquisition Opportunity Fund to Washington County to acquire an 80 acre parcel" and to authorize the Community Development director to execute the grant agreement and restrictive covenant. The motion was seconded and the Council approved the item by voice vote.

The Council next approved a grant to Scott County to acquire an 85‑acre in‑holding described as the Leonard property within the proposed Blakely Bluffs Park Reserve. The transcript records the property appraisal at $1,040,000 and a project cost of $1,076,033, and the mover identified the local match as 25%. Councilor Hugo moved approval "that the Metropolitan Council approve a grant of up to $807.25 dollars from the Park Acquisition Opportunity Fund to Scott County to acquire an 85 acre parcel located at 17130 Salisbury Hill Road in Belle Plaine for the Blakely Bluffs Park Reserve" and to authorize execution of the grant and restrictive covenant; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Council members described the two acquisitions as enlarging contiguous green space in northern Washington County and the southwest corner of Scott County, and noted unanimous support from the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission at its recent meeting. Council Member Seidenberg noted a related recent DNR (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) designation creating a Keystone Woods wildlife management area adjacent to Big Marine Reserve.

Separately the Council confirmed the nominations to fill four Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission seats (districts E, F, G and H). The nominees advanced by the committee were listed in the meeting transcript as Chris Suwig, Cecily Harris, Anthony Taylor and Amanda Duer; the Council approved the appointments by voice vote.

All three business items were reported as committee items that advanced without a committee quorum because of scheduling; the Council approved each item during the full Council meeting.