Hikers and nature enthusiasts be warned: Starting Monday, January 8th, rambling through the full breadth of Oak Savanna Park's trails is off-limits. This closure is a safety precaution, accommodating a selective tree harvest, integral to the ongoing oak savanna restoration initiated back in 2019. Sherburne County officials gave the heads up, so for those still itching to pound some park earth, the west trails remain your open terrain, as marked on the county's website.
In a statement obtained by the county, park-goers are directed to use the equestrian entrance for the time being, to gain access to the still-open west side trails. And for those wanting a visual cue, the county's been good enough to provide a map, detailing which trails are a no-go and how to navigate this temporary shake-up.
For the uninitiated, Oak Savanna Park is a gem in the world of conservation, showcasing efforts to revive a pretty specific ecosystem—oak savannas—that harks back to the pre-settlement days. The initiative kicked off in 2019, with environmentalists singing the project's praises, aiming to restore balance and native species to the fragile area. This tree harvest is, essentially, the cleanup crew finishing the job, ensuring that the oak savanna landscape endures.
Expect the east-side trails to be off-limits until the professionals give the all-clear which, according to the announcement, shouldn't be too far off.
