Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board kickstarts a three-year mission to bring Bluff Street Park's riverfront back to its native prairie glory, according to a Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board recent announcement. Following a period of degradation due to public infrastructure work which left the park's soils compacted and its ecosystems disrupted, the board has decided it's high time for some much-needed ecological TLC.

Commencing this fall, the restoration project will zero in on evicting invasive species, granting the park's ground some breathing room through decompaction, and preparing the soil—and by extension, the seedbed—for a future of flourishing biodiversity. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) isn't shying away from the long haul, planning to seed and shore up against erosion for a full three seasons, while ensuring that temporary fencing gives the nascent prairie the snug incubator it needs—and visitors, keep out, at least for now.

Prior city projects may have been a necessary evil, yet they've left Bluff Street Park in a bit of an ecological bind. It's the city that's footing the bill to make things right, while the MPRB and a local native plant restoration contractor roll up their sleeves to get down and dirty with the work ahead.

It's not all about the here and now, though—the MPRB has their sights set on a future where prairies and oak savannas become common sights in the parks. These ecosystems are veritable condos for wildlife, providing homes to an eclectic spread of fauna, from birds to bugs. And it's not just about the critters, either; these spaces are vital for urban dwellers to get connected with nature and understand how natural systems help or hinder the battle against climate change and environmental health concerns. It's an ecology lesson, ripe for the communal plucking.