(BLAINE) – Blaine city council heard from city staff about a proposed plan to convert a portion of Pioneer Park to a new wetland bank to add to what the city has already preserved. Some on social media voiced concern over the plan, fearing a loss of a valuable amenity in the park that is off Main Street near Radisson Road and offers scenic walking and biking paths and backs up to several homes in a couple of different neighborhoods.
The plan would create the Main Street Wetland Bank. Public Works Director John Haukaas said it would not take away from the amenities or affect nearby homes.
“(Social media commenters) are under the impression we’re clear-cutting the whole park, and that’s absolutely not (true),” said Haukaas. “This is a gem and we want to protect this. We want to improve this.”
He said the existing wetland would need some shoring up, and that may require removing the wood-chipped trails but that a new boardwalk would be built through the wetlands, similar to the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. He said the efforts there have proven effective in fostering growth of new oak saplings after several years of trying.
City council has no actionable items related to Pioneer Park currently before it. City leaders will continue to reach out to any members of the public who have concerns. Haukaas said the earliest anything would happen would be next year.
