Stinky green water might soon be clean and fresh. Walter Sochacki Park is getting a $1,616,279 check from the federal government. This, along with $600,000 from the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission’s Capital Improvement Project fund, are going to be used to boost the quality of three ponds.
The Sochacki Park Water Quality Improvement Project involves North Rice and South Rice ponds in Sochacki Park, Robbinsdale and Grimes Pond in South Halifax Park, Golden Valley. These waters go into Bassett Creek/ Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ , which in turn ends up in the Mississippi River. Entities overseeing this area are the Three Rivers Parks District, the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission and the cities of Golden Valley and Robbinsdale.
Jami Markle, director of natural resources at the Three Rivers Parks District said the wetlands are in an “ecologically degraded state.”
“They’re dominated by algae in the summer, floating plants, there’s not a lot of dissolved oxygen,” Markle said. “So they get to a point later in the summer where there’s often a stench that comes from the park.”
“It was very foul-smelling,” Laura Jester, administrator at the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission, told the Sun Post.
Markle said the project entities have been “looking at how we can flip that system from algae-dominated to a more clear water state, rooted vegetation and better habitat conditions and better oxygen conditions within the ponds.”
The new funding for Sochacki came along with $500,000 to help the Zanewood Center in Brooklyn Park. These funds were brought to the west metro from U.S. sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) as well as U.S. reps. Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN).
“These projects will help address key issues facing our communities, from improving water quality to supporting teens and families. We worked with local leaders to secure resources for these projects, and now they’re one step closer to completion,” Klobuchar said.
“Walter Sochacki Park and the Zanewood Center are important community pillars in Brooklyn Park [sic],” said Smith. “They serve Minnesotan families directly through recreational and social programs. I’m so glad to have secured this funding that will keep Sochaki Park clean and support Zanewood Center in its work with youth in the community.”
The Sochacki Park Water Quality Improvement Project came about after a watershed assessment and a feasibility study. Now it’s in the design phase.
The plan is to reduce phosphorus by approximately 68 lbs. per year, reduce chronic erosion and sedimentation, improve aquatic vegetation, enhance buffers and wildlife habitat.
South Halifax Park will get two new stormwater ponds and an existing stormwater pond and filtration system will be expanded. For both parks, people will clear debris from stormwater pipe inlets and outlets as well as remove sediment deposits. Water level draw downs will help control invasive species. Then there is revegetation and enhanced street sweeping.
“It’s an opportunity to improve a pretty degraded area that’s accessible by a wide variety of folks in that area,” Jester said. “I’m glad the funding came together for this. It’s maybe been lower on the priority list for a while.”
There will need to be an environmental site investigation and government-issued permits before work can begin. By January, the construction documents should be complete. Then there will be bidding for construction and implementation in 2025.
Learn more about this project at threeriversparks.org/location/sochacki-park .
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