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Fall Volunteer Events
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Current Restoration Project
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On Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, 15 volunteers helped clear buckthorn on the south section at Big Willow Park, building off the work done last fall. The group tackled a very dense grove of buckthorn near the main trail, freeing some beautiful aspens and a number of old oaks near the old homestead. A bench near the old homestead was surrounded by buckthorn - now you can see the railroad trestle over Minnehaha Creek and enjoy the seasonal changes at this beautiful park.
Removal of buckthorn and other invasives will continue this fall, followed by seeding early this winter with a variety of grasses and sedges. Big Willow Park was rated “high priority” for restoration in the 2021 “City of Minnetonka Natural Resources Management Plan.” In November 2021, over twenty volunteers in cooperation with the City of Minnetonka Natural Resources Division, cleared buckthorn along the west side of the main trail south of the creek, focusing on a grove of oak trees.
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Buckthorn Blitz Event, November 5, 2021
Volunteers have adopted areas of the park to remove garlic mustard and other invasives. Ginseng, which was extirpated in the 1850s, was planted in select areas of the park this spring.
Watch for announcements to join this effort or email us at FriendsofBigWillow "at" gmail.com to receive updates on restoration efforts and park news.
Volunteers have adopted areas of the park to remove garlic mustard and other invasives. Ginseng, which was extirpated in the 1850s, was planted in select areas of the park this spring.
Watch for announcements to join this effort or email us at FriendsofBigWillow "at" gmail.com to receive updates on restoration efforts and park news.
Big Willow Community PreserveAt 95 acres, Big Willow Park is the smallest of the city’s five community parks, with more than two miles of trails meandering through forest and wetlands with views of Minnehaha Creek. Recreational amenities include community athletic fields and a play area. Connections to Mayflower, Hilloway and Meadow Parks from the north section of the park. East of the north section of the park was the site of St. Albans Mill. Look for the informative plaque and remnant railroad grade and spur that served the mill.
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The maintained trail along the Minnehaha Creek continues under the rail bridge to the north side of the park.
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The Big Willow - Namesake TreeThe park was developed in 1977 as a joint project of the City of Minnetonka and the Minnetonka Jaycees Club. Funding was provided by a federal grant. A standout feature of the park while it was being developed—and which is still there—was a large willow tree on the west side of the marsh, thus the name “Big Willow.” Though due to age the large willow split in half many years ago and is lying on its sides, it continues to produce branches. Look for the willow tree about 500 feet north of the small parking lot on Minnetonka Boulevard.
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Cultural HistoryBetween 1855 and 1874, there were six flouring mills building along Minnehaha Creek from Grays Bay in Lake Minnetonka to the Mississippi River. St. Albans Mill was built in 1874, but was dismantled in 1881 after financial difficulties and complaints of interfering with the operations of Minnetonka Mills, three-quarters of a mile upstream. Adam Hannah owned what is now Big Willow and the Minnetonka Public Works facility. He built his home on the site in 1913 and his daughter Mary R. E. Hannah lived in the house until she died in 1967. There are remnants of the house on the hill south of Minnehaha Creek.
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1937 Historical Aerial Photo
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Minnehaha Creek
Wildflowers at Big Willow Preserve
A spring ephemeral wildflower garden was planted near the parking lot off Minnetonka Boulevard in the mid-1990s by Gatewood School 3rd graders. Look for Hepatica, Trout Lily, Showy Trillium, Mayapple, Dutchman’s Breeches, Cutleaf Toothwort, Bellwort, Bishop’s Cap, Wild Leek, Wild Ginger, Wild Blue Phlox, Wild Geranium, Virginia Spring Beauty, Jack in the Pulpit, Rue Anemone, Bloodroot, and Early Meadow Rue.
Wild Blue Woodland Phlox and Pennsylvania Sedge
Fauna at the Preserve
Big Willow has several habitats including wetland, oak savanna, and river. Wildlife include Great Blue Heron, American Egret, Merganser, Blue Wing Teal, Trumpeter Swan, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Wood and Mallard ducks, mink, beaver, and muskrat.
