Tower Hill ParkTower Hill Park is located one block south of highway 7 between Williston Road (west side) and Woodhill Road (east side). Public parking is located off Woodhill Road next to a brick utility building. There are no park signs other than one indicating that sledding and snowmobiling are not allowed on the slope. On the west side of the park next to Williston Road is a water and cell phone tower; the area by these towers is frequently disturbed from ongoing tower maintenance.
Website www.mtkaparks.org/towerhill |
|
Cultural History
The park’s topography includes steep slopes on all four sides from which one summits to a large 2- to 3-acre flat-topped prairie. Beneath this large mound is a buried water tank that holds a similar volume of water as a city water tower. According to city Public Works staff, the tank was installed in 1990. The short-grass prairie was seeded into this dry, sandy soil shortly thereafter by the city forester. The highest point of this park is just feet lower than the highest point in Hennepin County (top of hill on Williston Road to the west), so the park offers expansive views to the north. For example, when standing on the top of the hill, one can see recognizable landmarks in Plymouth.
|
Natural HistoryEcologically, the park showcases a fine example of a dry, short-grass prairie restoration. The floral diversity in the restored prairie is quite low; however, the park contains a significant population of butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) and New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus). Smaller populations of lead plant (Amorpha canescens) and round-headed bush clover (Lespedeza capitata) provide some interest and attract a variety of pollinators in summer.
|
Featured Flora - Prairie GrassesThe prairie also hosts several native grass species including switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), and porcupine grass (Hesperostipa spartea).
|
Porcupine Grass
|
Blue Grama
|
|
Featured Fauna - Pollinators and InsectsThe park also provides valuable habitat for a number of sand-obligate insects including a large punctured tiger beetle population as well as ground-nesting cellophane, sweat, and mining bees. In late summer, a visitor may observe the territorial displays of black and gold bumble bee males. The males perch on top of tall foliage in the prairie, then chase off any other bees (or dragonflies) that enter their territory. These males are looking for newly emerging queen bumble bees.
|
