ECOLOGIAL RESTORATION
ER
AT CEDAR LAKE POINT BEACH (AND BEYOND)
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet But what if something goes un-named? What if we overlook something because there's been an object or place nearby that is named and is believed to the real destination or attraction?
The beach of the area named Cedar Lake Point Beach is at the point of this about 3-acre peninsula. For many, the beach truly serves as a destination. Swimmers, sun bathers, paddlers with their kayaks and canoes on the nearby racks, kids at summer day camps and with their families, and many more, flock to this modest beach on Minneapolis' Cedar Lake. For many, many more, the beach is one of several points of interest on the peninsula. In multiples of the seasonal beach goers, there is year-round enjoyment of those who walk around or through the woods. As couples, as dog-walkers, as individuals, or as small groups, the joy is in the journey and not just the beach destination. And while the beach represents a fraction of the total both in geographic area of the peninsula as well as in the number of annual visitors, it enjoys the benefit of being named as one of the three beaches on Cedar Lake. As a result, the city park board dedicates financial and human resources to its upkeep and maintenance. Meanwhile, the nearly three acres of nameless peninsula has apparently been neglected for the past several decades. Neglect resulted in invasive species moving in. The thick cover created a safe harbor for those who wished to use the park in a way that was unseen. Yes, there was a certain charm in having a secluded woodlands right in the city. But the undesirable uses seemed to have eventually outweighed the benefits of seclusion. I was told by one passerby runner that she appreciated the woods being opened up to create more sense of safety. I get to hear people tell me most everyday when I'm working in the woods that they love being able to see into the woods, as well as being able to look from the perimeter path out to the lake. As a part of the ecological restoration effort, it makes sense to acknowledge that this is an urban woodlands. As such, people are a members of the ecological system. We want to have a park that revives and protects the natural environment in the context of also inviting each and all of us to experience nature. To these ends, might naming this area, beyond the beach area, might be a way to show love and respect for our shared sweet space?
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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. |