Urgent: Battle Creek Grassland at Risk
The Battle Creek Grassland
Since 2021, we have partnered with other environmental organizations to preserve a unique 77-acre grassland located next to Battle Creek Regional Park. This land is owned by Ramsey County and managed by the County correctional facility. In 2021, the County asked for development proposals for this site (aka the “North Parcel”) as well as the former Ponds Golf Course (aka the “South Parcel”). A number of proposals were received for the Ponds site, and that is now becoming a housing development. Initially, no proposals were received for the grassland. In 2023, a Native American group (the Oyate Ota Initiative) inquired about using this site for a cultural and social service facility.
The County invited environmental groups to participate in discussions with the Oyate group regarding the possible use of the grassland for the Oyate initiative. The group met several times from October 2023 to November 2025. The County hired Full Circle Design to facilitate the group and write a report. Before the final report was written, the Oyate group found another site that meets their needs. Nevertheless, the report provides useful information about the site and possible next steps for long-term planning. Click on the link below for a copy of the report.
We have expressed our appreciation for this excellent report. It includes a strong case for preserving most, if not all, of the site. The Friends of Maplewood Nature adds the following comments:
While it’s great that the Oyate initiative found another location well-suited to their needs, we hope the Native American community will play a significant role in the long-term plan for this site. Of course, this would be up to them, but perhaps the plan could include space for indigenous traditions and an opportunity for public education on indigenous history, culture, and values. Also, we hope the plan will include an observation platform in line with Birdability guidelines to make this site accessible to people of all abilities. The observation platform should be on a high point of county land immediately south of the grassland parcel.
The grassland at this site is already smaller than the size normally needed by Henslow’s Sparrows and several other grassland bird species for successful nesting. Research has shown that nesting probability goes down as the size of the grassland area decreases. The fact that they are nesting here may indicate how desperate they are to find a suitable habitat. If we were to lose even a small part of this grassland, we discussed extending the grassland into adjacent Ramsey County lands to offset any loss of grassland acreage.
The County has informed us that development of the Battle Creek Grassland will remain on hold for now. Advocacy is still needed to ensure permanent protection for this unique natural area. If you have the opportunity to speak with County commissioners, please let them know how important it is to protect this unique natural resource.
For background and more information, please click on the Grassland Fact Sheet Link below.
The Battle Creek Grassland Fact Sheet – July 2023
When you talk with elected officials, here are key talking points:
- The Grassland is home to rare and declining bird species.
- There are a number of already degraded properties in the County that could be used for housing.
- Nature is important for the community’s health.
- We ask that this County-owned property be included in Battle Creek Regional Park and protected as an Environmental Natural Area.
- To protect ground-nesting birds, activities in the grassland should occur outside the time when grassland birds are present, and public access should be limited to designated observation sites on the periphery.
Please use your own words and identify yourself, particularly if you live in Ramsey County. Find your commissioner’s email address by clicking on your location in this map.
Although access to this site is restricted, much of the site can be viewed from adjoining park trails. Guided field trips are conducted jointly by the Friends of Maplewood Nature and the St. Paul Bird Alliance. In 2026, field trips are planned for June 9 and June 20. Details will be posted on our websites in March 2026.
