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Commission: Blackjack Wetlands boardwalk project cleared to accept bids; restoration plans include prairie and invasive removal

Shade Tree Commission · April 29, 2026

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Summary

Staff described a funded NRAC project to build a boardwalk and restore prairie at Blackjack Wetlands, a roughly 54-acre site with distinctive wetland communities; a resolution to begin accepting bids was noted as having passed the previous night.

Staff member (speaker 3) provided a detailed update on Blackjack Wetlands, a site described in the meeting as roughly 54 acres with about 15 acres of wetlands and interconnected wetland areas. The staff member said the property was acquired by the city in 2004, left largely untouched, and is rare in local species composition. The wetlands provide ecological benefits including stormwater filtration and habitat for species not found in upland areas.

The staff member said the site is an NRAC-funded project to construct a boardwalk to increase public access and stewardship. The planned work includes building a boardwalk to allow safe access and restoring a prairie area on the eastern side of the wetlands by mechanically removing invasive species and other restoration techniques (including possible prescribed burning or mechanical removal). The staff member said making the site accessible and encouraging local stewardship will aid long-term protection.

A participant (speaker 7) told the group that "the resolution passed last night," enabling the city to accept bids to begin the boardwalk and restoration work. Staff responded that they had not known that step was complete and welcomed the news; speaker 3 said the group can now begin accepting bids for the planned work.

No contract awards or bid results were recorded in this meeting; participants discussed next steps and outreach for the boardwalk project. The meeting did not record a roll-call vote or dollar figures for the expected contract; the transcript references a resolution but does not give its ordinance or resolution number.