On Tuesday, the parks commission recommended designating the Pollinator Park and adjacent natural resource area as city parkland.

Park and Recreation Director Joey Schugel said this recommendation would allow them to take the next steps to expand the Pollinator Park and utilize the natural resource area as part of this development.

In 2015, the Park and Recreation Commission designated a portion of North Broadway Park as a natural area and managing it as a pollinator preserve for monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Over the last decade the park developed due to the efforts of the Pollinator Park Volunteers. The 2.64 acre section of North Broadway Park now includes educational signage, a shade structure, walking paths and has been renamed the Pollinator Park.

“We have a great group of volunteers that pour in countless hours of volunteer time to make that park what it is today,” Park and Recreation Director Joey Schugel said. He then clarified that though the Pollinator Park is referred to as a park, it has not official been dedicated parkland yet.

New Ulm Park and Recreation Director Joey Schugel speaks to the parks commission about formally dedicating the Pollinator Park and surrounding property as parkland, which would allow further expansion and development of the park. Photo by Clay Schuldt

Schugel said there is an additional 20 acres of city property adjacent to the Pollinator Park that is currently described as a natural resource area.

Schugel said there is a desire to expand the Pollinator Park into this 20 acres. In this area new native grasslands, trails, educational signage, shade structures and nature-based play areas could be added. The Parks Master Plan recommends enhancement of the Pollinator Park, which includes expansion into the natural resource area.

One of the comp plans recommendations included a nature based play area for kids. This play area would be located near a high-density housing area that does not currently have access to play amenities. For this reason, Schugel said this expansion was a high priority for the parks system as it would helped develop a park for an under served part of the community.

Parks commissioner Jeff Gulden asked if there was any downsize to dedicated the city property as parkland.

Schugel said the city does provide some maintenance to the area, mostly mowing near the bike trail. City maintenance crews would need to continue providing some maintenance to the property, which could increase with development. If play features are added to the park, there would be additional inspection and maintenance from the staff. However, Schugel is hopeful that any developments would be low-maintenance through the continued volunteer work. It would also help protect the natural resources.

An ariel view of New Ulm City property that is designated as a natural resource area. The red box in the southwest corner represents the current site of the Polliantor Park. The two blue boxes are additional natural resources area that could be added to the Pollinator Park. Submitted photo.

Commission Jim Jensen said it made sense to move forward with formally dedicated the Pollinator Park and parkland. He said it was a beautiful area that he wanted to see keep going.

Gulden made the motion to recommend the New Ulm City Council designate the Pollinator Park and natural resource area city parkland with a second from Commissioner Amy Johnson. It was unanimously approved.

Following the approval of the Pollinator Park parkland dedication, the commissioners discussed a motion to allow park staff to pursue funding for a monarch butterfly sculpture to place in the park as a signature landmark.

Schugel said the Pollinator Park has served as a butterfly habitat area and has provided educational opportunities on the life cycle of the monarch butterfly. He said by adding a sculpture to the Pollinator Park, they hope to draw more attention to the park.

Currently, this sculpture is in the idea and feedback stage. Schugel said the actually cost to place the monarch sculpture would be covered through special donations and potential grant funding.

An artist rendering of a possible nature-based play area that could be added to the Pollinator Park. Submitted photo

The commission meeting was attended by several supporters of the pollinator park who spoke out in favor of further development and inclusion of a sculptor.

Isabelle Williams said she has been a longtime butterfly enthusiast who has learned a lot from the Pollinator Park. She hope more people could be exposed to educational opportunities through the park.

Dr. Anne Vogel said in her experience, the park has been a great inspiration to youth.

“That’s exactly what this park should do to inspire kids,” Vogel said. “I think the monarch sculpture is just one more thing.”

Deb Steinberg said the monarch sculptor would be a great addition to New Ulm and could be a draw to the community.

John Kellen, executive director of The Grand Center for Arts and Culture said he loves the community in large part because of the parks. He was also a big supporter of public art in the parks, like the proposed sculptures. Kellen believed it could be a tourism draw for New Ulm. In addition, he stressed the importance of pollinators in maintaining the food supply.

As with the parkland dedication request, the commissioners unanimously agreed to allow staff to pursue funding for a monarch sculpture.