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Volunteering Directions
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Meadow Park South Events
Park in the parking lot off Oakland Road. Questions? Email F[email protected] |
Meadow Park North Events
Park in the lot to the left of Regency Apartment building 2230. We will be in that area and bring participants down the trail by the building. |
Current Restoration Projects
2025 was a year of continuing progress in Meadow Park. A total of 27 volunteers contributed 410.5 hours toward ongoing restoration efforts on both the north and south sides of the park. On each side, volunteer crews removed larger buckthorn to open more expansive views.
Meadow Park North
2023 Hammill Triangle
On the north side of the trail, we also focused on clearing smaller buckthorn–often called “littles.” Why is it important to revisit restoration areas to remove the “littles”? Because consistent care prevents them from becoming “bigs” and helps native flowers and birds return to Meadow Park.
After four years of dedicated effort, the results are clear–our volunteers’ hard work is truly making a difference!
On the north side of the trail, we also focused on clearing smaller buckthorn–often called “littles.” Why is it important to revisit restoration areas to remove the “littles”? Because consistent care prevents them from becoming “bigs” and helps native flowers and birds return to Meadow Park.
After four years of dedicated effort, the results are clear–our volunteers’ hard work is truly making a difference!
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Past Restoration Projects
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2022 Oak Knoll
It was a sunny, pleasant fall day when 16 people gathered for a Buckthorn Blitz on the north trail of Meadow Park. Within an hour, the oak knoll began to emerge. By the end of the blitz, the sun was shining through the oaks and the volunteers were excited to see through to the other side. Today was another successful buckthorn blitz as Friends of Minnetonka Parks continue their work with the City to begin restoration of the valuable park assets. |
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Meadow Park South
2023 Playground Aspen Woods
On the south side of Meadow, we revisited the aspen hill to open it up so light could enter and grasses and flowers could flourish. Now one can actually see through the back part of the hill to observe the playground equipment. Parents visiting while we were working commented on the beautiful space.
On the south side of Meadow, we revisited the aspen hill to open it up so light could enter and grasses and flowers could flourish. Now one can actually see through the back part of the hill to observe the playground equipment. Parents visiting while we were working commented on the beautiful space.
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2022 Wetland Edge by the Hockey Rinks and Oak Woodland Across the Bridge
In late September, we had a wonderful weekend cutting buckthorn. Saturday we were supported by members of the Friends of Minnetonka Parks. These are committed workers that dedicate themselves to working in multiple Minnetonka parks. Sunday brought some new friends from the neighborhood and Minnetonka High School. Their work added more to all those removed buckthorn piles, and we made it all the way past the ice rinks and bridge!
Later this fall, we will be broadcasting native seed in the cleared areas to start revegetating the site and to compete with buckthorn and other invasive plants taking advantage of the increase in sunlight.
In late September, we had a wonderful weekend cutting buckthorn. Saturday we were supported by members of the Friends of Minnetonka Parks. These are committed workers that dedicate themselves to working in multiple Minnetonka parks. Sunday brought some new friends from the neighborhood and Minnetonka High School. Their work added more to all those removed buckthorn piles, and we made it all the way past the ice rinks and bridge!
Later this fall, we will be broadcasting native seed in the cleared areas to start revegetating the site and to compete with buckthorn and other invasive plants taking advantage of the increase in sunlight.
2020 and 2021 Aspen Woods Restoration
The Friends of Meadow Park held their first buckthorn removal event on October 10, 2020. Starting at Oakland Road on the west side of the park, the Friends have removed the buckthorn along the south wetland and the aspen woods hillside east of the playground.
The Friends of Meadow Park held their first buckthorn removal event on October 10, 2020. Starting at Oakland Road on the west side of the park, the Friends have removed the buckthorn along the south wetland and the aspen woods hillside east of the playground.
Buckthorn Event 10/10/2020
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Buckthorn removal was completed in the fall of 2021. That winter, the site was seeded with native grasses to begin revegetating the bare ground left from the buckthorn invasion.
Meadow Park
Meadow Park is located north of the historic Burwell House on Oakland Road; the park's eastern boundary is Plymouth Road. This 109-acre park has 8-acres of developed land that includes a playground, tennis courts, ice rinks, and a soccer field. The remaining acreage is undeveloped, the majority of which is wetlands. The upland areas include savanna remnants, and mixed hardwood woodlands growing on formerly disturbed sites.
The park serves residents in the Ridgedale Mall area (trail access off Plymouth Road) in addition to residents on the western side of the park, where the main parking lot is located at the intersection of Oakland and Stone Road.
The park serves residents in the Ridgedale Mall area (trail access off Plymouth Road) in addition to residents on the western side of the park, where the main parking lot is located at the intersection of Oakland and Stone Road.