ECOLOGIAL RESTORATION
ER
AT CEDAR LAKE POINT BEACH (AND BEYOND)
This whole process of being in the woods clearing Buckthorn for the past few years to now being actively engaged with trying to learn and do my best to offer constructive feedback to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Cedar-Isles Plan really has taken me down rabbit holes. There's a lot of conflict of thoughts, perspectives, and actions. Are we going to plan parks that are egocentric, built for people who see natural areas as something utilitarian, something we dominate and use? Or do we plan with an ecocentric mindset, where we see ourselves as a member of nature where we're taking care of one another? More and more research is getting published that seems to state the what we've long believed, that humans' time in and with nature is healthy for us. But there still seems to be misunderstanding of what being in and with nature really is. An issue at debate in the Cedar-Isles Plan illustrates this foggy mindset. On page 132, planners drew a dotted line through East Cedar Woods. This is right through where in 1997, the Park Board's Plan envisioned a natural area in 20 years. The Year 1997 + 20 Years = Year 2017's Vision And, the 1997 Plan illustrated how a spiral of trees were being planted and maintained, mostly by volunteers of the Cedar Lake Park Association, where it was said, "Our vision for Cedar Lake Park is to restore the lands and waters and create a new Community with Nature through which we can transform ourselves, our city, and our society. Our Goal for Cedar Lake Park is to bring people and nature together in harmonious community... a goal symbolized by the spiral. " Wait. I think I just went down a rabbit hole. That one was about remembering history. So in addition to historical plans for the area that are not being honored in the present plan, what I meant to discuss was, how do we differentiate the different values of natural areas? Much of what I've thought about in trying to protect nature has been either to protect nature for its ecological-centered philosophy. For me, an ecological versus egological mindset sets very well for me. But even for those who believe that man is above nature, there's a choice of how we use natural areas. Some refer to preference a for "silent sports". But where is the line between "play" and "recreation" (aka: re-creation)? So much of today's recreation lacks play, and is instead structured and focused, even when experienced in natural areas. It would be hard to demonstrate that time spent in structured sports fully taps the benefits natural areas actually offers. This week, I happened upon an article, The Difference Between 'Hard and 'Soft' Fascination, and Why It Matters by Markham Heid that brought perspective and clarification to this mind-buster. It offers a sound rationale of why we should continue to protect the natural area in the East Cedar Woods and an argument to prohibit biking in the area including a soft-surface two-way bike path that rips through the area's heart. The article explains "one type depletes your attention (and maybe your health), while the other restores it." There is a literal "cost" to paying attention. Most of our waking over-stimulated moments of the day are bombarded with demands for us to pay attention. Even our over-programmed sports and recreations might be an escape from the day, but they leave little for the brain to randomly roam and daydream. Spending too much time paying attention without time for restorations has costs; emotional stress, depression, and damage to our health. Even when we give our brains a short break, we are helping to restore ourselves. “Simple elements in nature, such as wind blowing through leaves or ripples of water traveling across a pond, are classic examples of soft fascination. “These leave you with plenty of space for reflection.” But why not protect natural areas like East Cedar Woods, not just for the trees, birds, critters and whole ecosystem, but also for ourselves, as a place to mindlessly meander through the woods, regenerating our minds, hearts and souls in this wonderful natural area that's been planned and continued to be restored for the past many many years.
1 Comment
Laura Brandenburg
2/28/2023 03:34:05 am
Thank you for educating us. This area is such a treasure!❤
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March 2024
AuthorI'm Steve Kotvis, volunteer Park Steward for the Minneapolis Cedar Lake Point Beach peninsula who has a newfound love of restoring this natural area and more. I'm learning as I go, and enjoy sharing that with those who have an interest. I'm also a photographer, so the photos in this blog are mine unless otherwise labeled. |