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Council approves North Shore Circle Park shoreline restoration agreement with watershed group
Summary
Council authorized a shoreline restoration agreement for North Shore Circle Park to beautify an existing stormwater treatment area, with watershed partners committing to long-term maintenance and the city agreeing to maintain a gravel path and bench.
Forest Lake City Council approved a shoreline restoration agreement for North Shore Circle Park that funds landscaping and shoreline plantings to improve the appearance and usability of an existing stormwater best-management practice (BMP) installed during a 2022 road reconstruction.
City staff explained the project seeks to enhance an existing water-quality feature that residents had described as unsightly after sewer and paving work. The watershed organization has obtained grant funding for shoreland restoration, trees, plantings and a bench, and the agreement specifies the watershed will maintain the plantings and shoreline for a minimum of 10 years with automatic renewals every five years thereafter.
Staff clarified the city’s ongoing maintenance responsibilities: the city will continue to mow the upland turf, and will maintain a short gravel path and a bench that are city-owned amenities. The watershed’s grant does not fund the path because it is not a water-quality element; when the trail portion is bid, staff will present the alternate price back to council for a decision on whether the city will pay for that amenity.
Council asked questions about the watershed’s history of maintaining similar plantings and whether the project would enable passive lake access (canoes/kayaks) but not motorized boat access. Staff said the trail design is meant to discourage trailers and larger motorized vehicles, provide a passive access suitable for paddle craft and include signage prohibiting motorized vehicles.
A motion to approve the North Shore Circle Park shoreline restoration agreement passed without opposition. Staff will return with the bid result for the trail alternate and a recommendation on whether the city should fund that portion of the work.
