Loading...
ITEM 5.3 HPC Park SignsOtSezF o MINNESOTA V DEPARTMENT INFORMATION Request for City Council Action ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE: Planning City Planner Licht 12 February 2018 PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #: City Planner Licht City Administrator Flaherty 5.3 — HPC Park Signs AGENDA ITEM DETAILS RECOMMENDATION: City staff recommends approval of a quote for fabrication of eleven signs developed by the Heritage Preservation Commission for installation within City parks. ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED? No No BACKG ROU ND/J USTI F1 CATION: One of the roles of the Heritage Preservation Commission is to assist in the naming of City parks. When a future park site is acquired, the Heritage Preservation Commission researches the history of that particular parcel of land to identify significant history to be highlighted in naming the park. The name chosen for a park may reflect the general history of that area of the community, important events, or the family that once owned the property before it was developed. Naming City parks in this manner contributes to the community's identity by making current, new, and even future residents aware of the shared history and evolving landscape of Otsego. City Council approved the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) to proceed with a project to develop signs to be located in City parks that provide information regarding community history and the history of the immediate area surrounding each park. The signs describe the history of the park name and include photographs and maps. Signs will be installed this spring at Beaudry Meadows Park, Carrick's Landing, Frankfort Park, Kittredge Crossings Park, Lily Pond Park, Northwood Park, Prairie Park, School Knoll Park, Wilson Preserve (shown), Zimmer Farm Park, and also at Norin Landing as part of the improvements to that park to be undertaken this year. The Heritage Preservation Commission approved the final sign layouts at their meeting on 9 January 2018. The Parks and Recreation Commission also reviewed the proposed signs at their meeting on 16 November 2017. Funding for the sign project has been set aside by the City Council from the sale of the City owned John McDonald property located at 95th Street (CSAH 39) and Nashua Avenue. The list price of the parcel was $29,900 and it was sold for $43,000 in 2012. The 2017-2026 Capital Improvement Plan allocates $10,109 for the HPC sign project. The use of the sale proceeds from the McDonald property for the sign project was recommended by the Heritage Preservation Commission and approved by the City Council as a means of McDonald contributing indirectly to understanding of Otsego's community's history. The 24 by 36 inch signs mounted on an upright metal frame are to be fabricated by Gopher Sign Company, which is recommended by the Minnesota Historical Society for their work at history preservation sites throughout Minnesota. This new printing system created by Gopher Sign is found by MHS to be durable, difficult to vandalize, and is warrantied for 10 years for UV fading, cracking, peeling, blistering, or delaminating. The sign faces are to be fabricated on a metal base with a fade resistant image printed on both sides of the panel that can flipped over if the image is compromised. The quote for the signs and delivery is $6,877.61 or $626.15 per sign. The signs will be installed by Parks and Recreation Department staff. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED: ■ Gopher Sign Company quote date 02/06/2018 ■ Sign layouts (11 sheets) POSSIBLE MOTION PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE ITTO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES: Motion to approve a quote from Gopher Sign Company dated 02/06/2018 for $6,877.61 to fabricate and deliver 11 signs developed by the HPC for installation in City parks to be paid from Fund 414 — Capital Improvements from the sale proceeds of the McDonald property. BUDGET INFORMATION FUNDING: BUDGETED: Capital Improvement Plan PARK -2017-04 Fund 414 - Capital Improvements $10,109.00 BILL TO: City of Otsego 13400 90th Street NE Otsego Minnesota 55330 Gopher Sign Company 1310 Randolph Avenue Saint Paul Minnesota USA 55105 SHIP TO: City of Otsego Ross Demant PH: 13400 90th Street NE Otsego Minnesota,55330 Account Name:City of Otsego Quote Stage: Draft Contact Name:Adam Flaherty Email: Phone:763-441.4414 Project: Parks Signs with Upright Exhibit Stands with Foot Plates Quote 12920 02/06/2018 60 Days Product Details qty List Price Total 1. Imageloc Sign -Framed (ILOCF) 11 $141.00 $1,551.00 ImageLOC sign panels for double -post upright signs - 36" w x 24" h x .125" in thickness, printed on both sides with the same image on each side; 1/8" radius corners and small 1/8" processing holes on the top left and right corners of the panels which will be hidden by the frame; no additional holes in the panels . x-filb ............._........................ .. _ ..... ._ .._ ._... _ ..__._.,.. ..._.... 2. Exhibit BaselMounting Hardware Mounting _ ......__ ..-.........,._ --_.._ 11 $426.00 $4,6 6.00' $4,686.00 Upright Mounting base system for Image -Loc Signs - 36" w x 24" h x .125" in thickness consisting of two 56" long 3" x 3" aluminum posts with a welded top cap and .250" thick 7" x 7" foot plate welded to the bottom of each post; foot plates are pre -drilled with 9/16" holes for mounting ; rivet nuts inserted into the posts to simplify installation; full /125" thick aluminum extruded frame wiht back plate surrounds the entire sign panel to provide added strength and appearance; the frame attaches to the upright posts with the rivet nuts; (all hardware included); the entire exhibit base is powder coated a textured dark brown for added weather resistance and improved aesthetic appearance 3. Digital File Setup Art 11 $27.27 $299.97 Includes preflighting the graphic files, pdf proofs, uploading the graphic files to the RIP, Ripping the files, uploading the ripped files to the printers and checking the router cut outline files for the sign panels 4. Estimated Shipping 1 $170.78 $170.78 Estimated shipping charges to destination on common carrier from zip code 57226 to zip code 55330 on an oversized skid to protect the shipment from damage; actual shipping charges will be invoiced at time of shipment. 5. Proof -10x8 Hard (Single Side) Hard Proof 1 11 1 $35.00 $35.00 10" x 8" x .125" aluminum Imageloc-tm proofing sample. Price includes ground shipping to destination. Specify ship -to address if different from that shown above. ..... ... ........................ Sub Total $6,742.75 Tax $0.00 Adjustment $134.86 _ Grand Total $6,877.61 All artwork submittals for this project must reference above Quote # When appropriate please further identify line item and/or panel size to aid in file identification Terms and Conditions ImageLOC® signs are warranted for 10 years against UV fading, cracking, peeling, blistering or delaminating as noted in the Limited Warranty. All Prices are FOB Clear Lake, SO, 57226 unless otherwise noted. Price does not include sales tax. Payment is due prior to shipping or net 30 day terms are available with credit approval. A 2% fee has been added to the total to cover the processing fee charged by your credit card company. Normal production leadtime on proofs is 1 - 2 weeks; typical on signs and exhibit stands is 4 weeks after approval of the PDF proofs + transit time. '0 Ot�F TY Oego MINNESOTA BEAUDRY MEADOWS PARK 11375 77th Street NE, Otsego, MN The first inhabitants of this area were Native Americans who did not build permanent dwellings, but moved seasonally. The Beaudry family, who homesteaded in this area, were French-Canadian and are first listed in the 1880 census. They were and are hard-working dairy farmers who milk 70 or more cows a day at their farmstead near LaBeaux Avenue (CSAH 19) and BOth Street, with seldom a day off. In 2002. the City of Otsego adopted plans for construction of the West Waste Water Treatment Facility to provide services for development of residential, commercial, and industrial land uses, north and east of the City of Albertville. The Beaudry family sold approximately 164 acres of their farm for development to the Darrel A. Farr Development Corporation. Farr Development in turn sold approximately 20 acres to the City as the site of the West Waste Water Treatment Facility. Farr Development also was the subdivider of Pleasant Creek Farms to the north of the Waste Water Treatment Facility. Arbor Creek was also subdivided from land formerly part of the Beaudry Farm and the City acquired just over 10 acres of land as part of the platting process for development of the current neighborhood park. Otsego Creek, which runs between the natural environment lake south of 70th Street in Albertville to the Mississippi River, crosses 1 through the former Beaudry farm adjacent to the West Waste Water Treatment Facility and Beaudry Meadows Park. In the past, Iy carp from the Mississippi River would swim into Otsego Creek and children would spear them with pitchforks and bring them home ir �i� to clean and cook. Snare: Otsego Heritage Prc —tion Commission "Pride of Otsego" barn built by Alvin Frank and Alfred Beaudry. The blocks used for the building cre made on the farm site. Dairy farming was conducted n this barn until 1998. it is still standing; can you find it? Cmdih 01,,go Heritage N.—a w Commiuion Children by Otsego creek near old City Hall- taking a break from the Methodist/Baptist church Sunday school; -1900 Credit: Otsego Heritage Preservation Commiuion TOWNSHIP OF OTSEGO est.l$J8 — Grcn,igc,• School District 30 - located on McAlister and 67th Street in the area known as the "Crossroads" - the building no longer sssts. Credit: Otsego Heritage Preservation Com wiar Ot�e TY OF o MINNESOTA CARRICK'S LANDING 9050 Quantrelle Avenue NE, Otsego, MN Callout?; Year? Credit: 06,go Heritage Preseruatioa Commissiaa � r Miss & R.R. Boom Co., Mpls; 1894 _ ^; Credit: Olsgo Heritage Przse—Im Comm By 1850, Samuel Carrick established a trading post across the Mississippi River from what is now the town of Elk River. At the beginning, his main customers were Winnebago Indians who settled near Otsego. In 1851, Carrick claimed the land nearby for farming which may have been the first farm by a white settler in Wright County. By 1854, he ran Carrick's Ferry across the Mississippi near his trading post. He was so well known in the area that the open land south of his claim was known as Carrick's Prairie. Look up river from here to imagine his claim and businesses. One of his sons, also named Samuel, served as a private in Company G of the 4th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment, answering President Lincoln's call for volunteers in the Civil War. As the 4th Minnesota advanced on Atlanta, Carrick was captured and sent to the rebel prison at Belle Isle, VA for the winter. In the spring, he was sent to the notorious Andersonville Prison, GA, where he died in May 1864 at age 31. He had never married nor had children. Carrick's brother, James and, his nephew, George, followed him to Otsego Township, took land claims and raised families here; George opened the first farm on Carrick's Prairie. Another brother, Eli, drowned in the west branch of the Rum River in 1852. Their brother, Charles, farmed in the Dakota Territory. The Carrick family was originally from Maine. Source: Otsego He,&W, Pr,...ti- Commi�rio Boom Co boat Mississippi Rive ea, Monticello; lgoo Credit. Ohs ga Heritage Presereabon C.— ami- Rose Underwood Holt, logjam Mississippi River; 1916 Credit: 06ego Heritage Prarmili- Commission TOWNSHIP OF OTSEGO est.18 5 8 — 1 Y 0 OtCITY OF sego MINNESOTA KITTREDGE CROSSINGS Painting of the Anna and Lorenzo Smith Family barn Credit. Otsego Heritoge P e—wti— Commission PARK 7150 Kittredge Parkway NE, Otsego, MN Original dwellers of this land were Native Americans who hunted here seasonally. A couple of significant battles took place on the Mississippi River between the Dakota and Chippewa 1772-1773. Early permanent settlers came from New England, Canada and Europe in the early 1850s. A grasshopper infestation plus a national recession in 1856 and 1857 caused farms to fail and some people to abandon their land claims. Others survived by harvesting ginseng which grew naturally in the woods. Ginseng was bought by traders from Virginia who sold it to those who used the ginseng as medicine. In 1858 the Federal Homestead Act was passed and signed by - President Abraham Lincoln. The Act allowed settlers to get 160 acres of cheap land ($1.25 per acre) if they built a house where they lived and worked the land for a specific length of time, often five years. Farmers supplemented their income by working seasonally as loggers on the Mississippi. Later, land was divided so that farms became much smaller, an average of 80 acres, mostly dairy farms with subsistence stock and varied crops. Some still remember when Interstate 94 came through the area in the 1960s and split some properties again. Otsego was not incorporated as a city until 1990! So.-: Otsego Hentoge Prat—h- Leonard Smith on a work horse Credit. Otsego Heritage P --two Commissino TOWNSHIP OF OTSEGO est.1858 — American Ginseng Co,dih Shotteneock.eom CITY O Ot§Fego MINNESOTA Going to the Ladies Aid in Otsego; rgr6 Credit: Otago H,,itage Pr--tiaa Cammiuiaa LILY POND PARK 10135 Kadler Avenue NE, Otsego, MN All of Otsego falls within an area of the state known as The Big Woods, a huge densely wooded eco -region originally 100 miles long and forty miles long running diagonally from Minnesota to Wisconsin. Settlers cleared much of it for farming in the early settlements during the 1B50's and 1860's. Lily Pond was a transient hunting area for Native Americans. This area or townsite, Lily Pond (also called "Bedford") was considered a close neighbor, but separate from Otsego townsite in the early days of settlers from Canada, New England and Europe in the 1850s. Both were in Otsego township, however. Settlers mostly farmed and worked at the Ingersoll brick factory or the lumber industry seasonally. Some worked on the river as "River Pigs;' where lumberjacks steered the logs from as far away as Aitken downriver by jumping from log to log and using tools designed to manage the flow. It was a very dangerous undertaking! Prominent features of the area were the Lily Pond School (at the northwestern corner of Highway 39 and Kadler Avenue NE), the Lily Pond Methodist Episcopal church (directly across from the school) and the Baker Ferry crossing the Mississippi River at the end of Kadler Avenue, but slightly east of the current street. So.—: Otsego Heritage Preservation Comwluios Caleb and Emetine (Stevens) Baker, tgoo, ..or site of Baker's Ferry that crossed Mississippi River. Credit: Ot; p Heritage P --Ii- Commission TOWNSHIP OF OTSEGO est.18 5 8 — 77J -7: V�?1114 Methodist Episcopal Church Sunday School Class; Easter x906 Credit: Oh go Heritage Pre—ati- Commiuion Methodist Episcopal Church (first service 1906) before addition was built (foreground) and Dist. to (Lily Pond) School built x870 before Bre destroyed it in xgx3. A larger stucco school was built which has been remodeled into a provate hotnea about xgxo; picture taken from the west. Credit: Otsego Heritage Prearvatioa C—h ion Ot�TY Oe F o MINNESOTA 4.. BEGI 01_ FAMILY FARM -- YEARS �t - s.It t 7 1 Book Covers? Aren't there two? Credit: Otsego Heritage Presematian Commission Elaine Norin, 1985 Credit: Otsego Heritage Presereation Commission NORIN LANDING 10599 Kadler Avenue NE, Otsego, MN Elaine Melin Norin (1917-2003), an eminent Otsego historian and prolific writer, lived in her grandparents' home, which still stands at 10235 Kadler Ave NE. Albert and Justina Melin, who came from Sweden, purchased the land in 1898 from The Netherlands American Land Company for $10 per acre. Elaine's parents, G. Robert and Greba Jo Melin, became owners in 1958; then Elaine took ownership in 1963. It later received the Century Farm designation as it had been owned (and farmed) by the Melins for 100 years. Elaine was an original member of Otsego Vision, a historical committee that lead to the formation of the Otsego Heritage Preservation Commission in 1994. She researched, authored, or helped author numerous publications about Otsego history, culture, and families. Elaine's books are still in print and available through the Otsego Heritage Preservation Commission. We remain very grateful to her for all her work documenting and celebrating Otsego history. After Elaine died in 2003, her surviving family sold her property for development to be known as Norin Landing. The farm was subdivided into 18 lots, including the lot on which the original house stands. The subdivision preserves approximately 33 aces of permanent open space, including 20 acres along the Mississippi River shoreline, while clustering the lots into a neighborhood setting. The City acquired 3 acres as part of the subdivision of the property to the west of Kadler Avenue. This park land has been improved to provide community access to the Mississippi River at a location described by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as a world-class bass fishing area. Soarre: Otsego Heritage Presenmtion Cmnmi Lester Baker is Matin barn door with Bob Melin, Aar Melia with chickeas, 1910 Credit: Otsego Heritage Praeroation Commission TOWNSHIP OF OTSEGO est.18 5 8 — Melia Home (left to right), Albert Metier, Jnsdaa Melia, Florence Melin, Ellen Melia, Mrs Robert Malin, Mra Nada Baker. Front Row Anne Melia, Mabel Metin, Stella Baker Karen or Carrie Melia; 1910 Credit: Otsego Heritage Preseroation Commission TY OF Ot�ego MINNESOTA NORTHWOOD PARK Credit: Wright County R—du 16600 72nd Street NE, Otsego, MN Oliver Kelley and his brothers, William H. and Charles, planned a town TOWNSHIP OF OTSEGO — site on the west bank of the Mississippi and named it Northwood. 5 Q 1858— Founded in 1855, a large hotel, a store, and a school were built. A ferry est.V lJ service was established, and a steamboat landing was determined near a gentle slope in the river bank. The post office was established with Charles Kelley as postmaster. But a significant national economic recession (The Panic of 1657) hit and the town was never fully completed. It was said that William H. Kelley gave up on the whole project, 171b tired of farming and no hope for Northwood profits, and walked to St. Paul to work in a clothing store. Oliver Kelley's farmstead is just across the Mississippi River and preserved as a U.S. National Historic Landmark. Oliver Kelly served residents of Wright County as a notary public, probate judge, and justice of the peace. Oliver Hndaon Kelley; �u.know.. year Cep.-j.y1 (t� Credit: Obego H -tap Pr—wnon Commission In 1964, Kelley went to Washington D.C. for a position in the Department of Agriculture. 1 l While there, Kelley worked on developing a fraternal organization for farm families. "Encourage them to read and think; to plant fruits and flowers, — beautify their homes; elevate them; make them progressive;" he wrote in a letter to a friend. "I long to see the I- great army of producers in our country, turn their eyes up from their work; stir up those E,,dit: 11 Polish callous C.edit: K Ileo Farm brains, now mere machines set them to think, — let them feel that they are human beings, and the strength of the nation, their labor honorable, and farming the highest calling on earth." This idea led to Kelley being one of the founders of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, which was first nationwide farm organization, The Grange served as both a social and advocacy group for farmers, as Kelley originally envisioned. Kelley also wrote newspaper articles that were increasingly critical of manufacturing and _ processing monopolies that fixed prices at rates unfair to farmers and of railroads with exorbitant freight rates. -- Source: Afinnuola Hleto wd Soci Y Ll -- - OtCITY OF se o MINNESOTA Otsego General Store Credit: Otsego Hentoge Preserootion Commission t (17eSP�(:U Otsego towrsite in Otsego township surveyed and platted in 1857 Credit: Otsgo Heritog Presrroatioo Commission e _ Its Aid �1= Otsego Blacksmith Shop Credit: Otago ffintag Presematton Commission PRAIRIE PARK 13355 90th Street NE, Otsego, MN When the first permanent settlers arrived at Otsego in 1852, TOWNSHIP OF OTSEGO — Minnesota had not yet attained statehood; this occurred est.18 5 8 May 11, 1858. In Wright County, Pleasant Grove Precinct was established April 9, 1855 under the territorial government. The name Pleasant Grove is used in several history books, but the name appears as Pheasant Grove on the 1855 Census and in some County records. The Township was established April 5, 1858 and renamed Otsego. The Otsego townsite of about 400 acres was surveyed and platted in - i 1857 [at the current intersection of Nashua Avenue and 95th Street � --�� ■■ y ■� „ (CSAH 39)]. There was a school, town hall, post office, store, ferry, y i. sawmill, blacksmith shop, church, parsonage, tabernacle, camp grounds, and hotel as well as a number of homes. A few original structures still stand. Many of Otsego's early settlers came from Maine and other New England states. They made their living in the fur trade, lumbering and agriculture.4� Most forests in New England had been cut down, destroying the habitat for fur -bearing animals. The thin, rocky soil made farming difficult and unprofitable. News of cheap, affordable land in the west attracted many to this area. Settling in the "Big Woods" presented a real challenge. The thick growth Aydk(With—)Doo.:,Cloade Dou, Emmelme(Speneer) Nou, c,o dJoe Dom:. AM—Dmu of large hardwood trees and undergrowth of bushes and grasses had to Credin Onep Herrtoge Prescremroa Conmioron be cleared for crop land. The settlers chopped and felled trees, using oxen to haul the logs. Old fallen and rotting timber and undergrowth was burned. To prepare the land for planting crops, a man walked beside the oxen pulling the plow, using a stick or whip to guide them while another man steered the plow through the hard soil. grasses and roots. The trees that were cut down provided shelter and household furnishings. Log cabins were usually 12 by 20 feet. Floors were dirt, bark or wood. The cabinets, shelves, beds, tables and chairs were sometimes home-made. Mattresses were often filled with grass or corn husks and supported by rope. - Source: Obego Heritage Preserention Comminion. 1996.Otrego - In the Beginning 1852 to 1880. CITY O Ot�Fego MINNESOTA In the 1940s, eight ruralschools provided an education for the children of Otsego. The schools were established through Wright County. Districts were formed as needed when residents petitioned the County Board. The district boundary lines were constantly changing with the population and a numbering system revision in the 1950s renamed several of them. The last rural school to close was District 11, Lily Pond School, which consolidated with Monticello and Elk River in 1955. It was a two -room stucco schoolhouse built in 1914. Otsego City Clerk Jerome Perrault attended the Lily Pond School. The building is located on CSAH 39 at Kadler Avenue. It has been remodeled into a private home. The Otsego School, District 10 was located in the Village of Otsego. Perrault believes the existing building was erected ,n the mid -1920s after the first building burned. Perrault recalls as a boy seeing the rectangular indent ,n the ground where the previous building had stood. "Report on Rural School House," by A. A. Zech, school superintendent. provides an inventory card of the Otsego School before the fireIt is dated June 26,1916. The 1916 Otsego School was a frame building in good condition on one half acre. It was built in about 1885. The school house had one room in fair condition 28.26 feet by 25.33 feet, a hall and a basement. There was a Storm King No. 240 furnace in the basement. The Otsego School had 125 square feet of slate blackboard, 51 single desks, and an ordinary teacher's desk in poor condition (84 value.) Pupils could get a drink with individual cups at the water cooler. A basin and towels were provided for washing hands. Two outhouses in good condition were lighted and had toilet paper. SCHOOL KNOLL PARK District 10 > Otsego O District 112 > Richter i District 11 > Lily Pond« " i 0 .� �_ District 9 > Carron Kaleidoscope R Charter School -- — • TBD Prairie View Elementary _ -..! and Middle School Otsego Elementary o District 30 > __ Greeninger (Greninger) District 12 > =M „c.— Otsego Heuring Source: £IaineNorin, Otsego historian 9-former0HPC Commissioner. This article amspublished in the Otr go Vaa in about 1990. 15501 83rd Street NE, Otsego, MN TOWNSHIP OF OTSEGO est.18 J5 8 — Otsego Heuring School, District 12 (later 2633) closed in 1954. This building is now a private home located on CSAH 37 at O'Dean Avenue. The St. Michael Village School building (District 20) was located outside the city limits of present day Otsego although Otsego children attended. It was a brick building constructed in 1908. Joint District 39 (later 285) was shared between 1 „ Wright and Hennepin counties, serving children from Otsego and Frankfort. The Richter School, District 112 the Greeninger School, District 30, and the Carron School, D strict 9 all closed in the 1940s. The Richter School was Qlocated near McIver Avenue and 80th Street. „'.,,, The Greeninger School was at McAlister Avenue and 67th Street in the area known as "The Crossroads." The Carron School was located on River Road (now vacated) across from the Lefebvre farm. This area is now the Country Ridge development. �I OtCITY OF se o MINNESOTA — 1— oG 86oe Helen Wilson; east side of 8600 ODean Avenue NE. Credit. Chris Wihaa Chris Wilson; barn a..d granary at 8600 OD—Avenue. Credit. ChrirWd as WILSON PRESERVE 8600 ODean Avenue NE, Otsego, MN The Wilson Preserve Nature Trail is the result of wildlife conservation efforts by the State of Minnesota, City of Otsego and family of Frank and Helen Wilson who purchased the property in 1952 The 8.5 acre parcel at the southwest corner of Wilson Preserve is the Wilson's homestead and remains in private ownership with the family. The Wilson family were stewards of the natural features of the property. The Wilsons made many improvements for wildlife. Nesting habitats were enhanced in Hall's Pond, which is at the northeast of the City Park. This was done with the guidance of the Department of Natural Resources and Wright County Soil & Water Conservation District. When the City of Otsego developed the stormwater basins within the Wilson property for the Odean Avenue improvement project in 1999, the Wilsons worked with the City to provide for re -seeding the area with a mix of wildflower seed obtained by Chris Wilson from Prairie Restorations, Inc. in Princeton, Minnesota. The habitat established within Wilson Preserve is especially attractive to a wide variety of birds. In the Hall's Pond area, you might see great horned owls, wood ducks, trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes and other species. the wildflower area surrounding the storm water basins has blue birds, red -winged black birds, meadowlarks, herons, ducks and geese. Other wildlife is certain to be found within Wilson Preserve as well. The City had for many years identified acquisition of Wilson Preserve as a priority of its Future Parks and Trails Plan. The City wanted the property in order to preserve the existing natural conditions of the area as passive open space and to provide access to Hall's Pond. The City acquired 14.8 acres for Wilson Preserve in 2015 as part of the subdivision approval for the Wilson property, which separated the Wilson homestead and created nine new single family lots and the future City park. Sea-: Chris Wil—, Otega Heritage Preservation Cmnmi,,io TOWNSHIP OF OTSEGO est.18 5 8 — Ll Swan and ducks. Credit: jade Svriag Ot�F TY Oego MINNESOTA ZIMMER FARM PARK 6485 Mason Avenue NE, Otsego, MN The land surrounding Zimmer Farm Park was owned and farmed by the TOWNSHIP OF OTSEGO Servaty family, the Zimmer family, and the Billette family as seen on the est. 1 8 5 g msEco 141 1931 map of Otsego Township. Other names on the map should be familiar to current v v residents as well. Wilfred Zimmer's two sons operated their farm until 2003, when it was sold to developers. `_z _ The park itself is within land once owned by the Billette family, which was sold by former' Otsego Township Supervisor Floyd Roden to developers in 2003. The park was originally rte+ I• '• ^ _ , i. ' .i• n a' r+ t 10 be located farther to the west within the Zimmer ro re[ However, due to the need to ei P P Y construct MacIver Avenue, the location for the future park was moved east and acquired with the development of the Billette/Roden property. The name "Zimmer Farm Park" remained. To recognize the actual location of the park relative to the former farm properties, the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council in 2011 designated the baseball' diamond at Zimmer Farm Park as Billette Field. CA �' 9 l e x 8 Sr— Otsego HeritPresen ahon ommimon, Otsego -ln the Binnin eggt852 fo t880. 3 lgg6. OCred,h Otsegn Hantage Prcmreahon Comm;snon 1931 Map of Otsego which ahowa land owner. Credit: Otsego Heritage Preservation Camminion t o. mn. us a - 3s! _ fi Kenny Zimmer Farm; unknow year Credit: Otsego Heritage Presemotion Commission Kenny Zimmer Farm; ..,.know year Credit: Otsego Heritage Pmemation Commission 'r Ot�eTY OF o MINNESOTA Lorenzo and Anna Smith home made from Ingersoll brick; r875 Credit: Otsego Heritage PreserodW Cammissisa FRANKFORT PARK 5500 Randolph Avenue NE, Otsego, MN This area of Otsego used to be part of Frankfort Township, which was settled in the summer of 1854. Many of the pioneer settlers came from Germany and chose this name of an ancient city in Prussia. The portion of Frankfort Township east of TH 101 was annexed to the City of Otsego in 1994 as part of a boundary agreement involving Otsego, St. Michael, Albertville, and Frankfort Township that resulted in most of Frankfort Township being merged with the City of St. Michael. In Otsego there were a couple of well-known brick producers who made bricks from local mud along the Mississippi River or Crow River on the Vasseur farm. Good examples of the yellow/cream brick produced in the Frankfort area are the Lahn house, Vasseur house, and the old St. Michael Catholic Church built in 1866. Another brick production area was on the Mississippi River at the Ingersoll Farm (later Davis house), which was built much earlier, in the late 1800s. The original Ingersoll house is still standing on today's CSAH 39 about 2 miles east of the intersection with CSAH 19. According to Will Holt, a farmer who lived close to the Ingersoll farm and kept a diary from 1877 to 1890, many farmers worked at the brickyard for extra cash. The site of Frankfort Park was originally planned for development of townhouse dwellings, similar to the buildings south of 54th Street. However, because of the economic recession in the second half of the 2000s, Lennar Corporation, developer of the RiverPointe and RiverPlace neighborhoods, sold the property to the City in 2009. The City developed the property as a neighborhood park using funds paid by subdividers for construction of new park facilities. Soares: Ohq. Heritoge Pres—tion Commission Vasseur home built in the 19205 with local Vasseur brick Credit: Otsego Heritage Preservation Commission TOWNSHIP OF OTSEGO est.1858 — George and Mary Elisabeth (Ebner) Leh. home bssilt with local Vasseur brick; 1912 Credit: OBego Heritage Preeeraation Commission