Herbicide Treatment Planned as Alimagnet Park Restoration Project Continues in Apple Valley
Published: June 24, 2026.
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - Residents visiting Alimagnet Park may notice temporary closures in a portion of the park as the City of Apple Valley continues work on a major ecological restoration project to improve native habitat and remove invasive species.
City officials announced on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, that a contractor will apply herbicide within the buckthorn removal project area over the next 1 to 2 days. The treatment is part of a larger, multi-year restoration effort currently underway in a 20.5-acre section of Alimagnet Park. Warning signs will be posted at all entrances to the treatment area while spraying is underway. Residents are asked to avoid the area and keep pets out of the treatment zone until signs are removed. The signs will remain in place for 24 hours after spraying is complete, allowing time for the herbicide to fully dry before the area reopens to the public.
The herbicide application is one component of a restoration project funded through a $262,009 grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program. The project, which began earlier this year, is designed to restore native oak savanna and prairie habitat by removing invasive species, particularly buckthorn, which has spread throughout portions of the park and displaced native vegetation.
Why Are Herbicides Being Used?
According to the Alimagnet Park Natural Resources Management Plan, restoring native plant communities often requires targeted herbicide use because many invasive species cannot be effectively controlled through mowing, hand-pulling, controlled burns or other mechanical methods alone.
The plan states that while some invasive plants can be managed without chemicals, targeted herbicide treatments are often the most effective way to prevent aggressive species such as buckthorn from returning after removal. In many cases, restoration professionals use a combination of mechanical removal and carefully applied herbicides to achieve long-term restoration goals.
According to the management plan, herbicide use is minimized whenever possible through an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. When herbicides are necessary, licensed applicators use products with the lowest toxicity needed to achieve restoration objectives and apply them at the lowest effective concentration while following manufacturer guidelines and safety requirements.
The management plan also notes that herbicide use in ecological restoration projects is significantly lower than in agricultural settings. Applications are often highly targeted, focusing on individual plants, cut stumps, or small infestations rather than broad-scale spraying. Restoration professionals generally consider widespread herbicide application a last resort and instead prioritize precise application methods that reduce drift and environmental impacts.
Long-Term Restoration Effort
Heavy equipment removals began in February following initial hand-clearing efforts. City officials say the area was once a healthy ecosystem of native oak trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and prairie grasses, but decades of invasive growth and changes to natural ecological processes have degraded the habitat.
The restoration effort will continue through 2027 and includes ongoing invasive species management, additional herbicide treatments, and the seeding of native grasses and wildflowers. Once completed, the project is expected to improve biodiversity, strengthen wildlife habitat, support pollinators, and create a more resilient natural area for future generations.
City officials thanked residents for their patience and cooperation as work continues to restore one of Apple Valley's most significant natural spaces.
Provided by the City of Apple Valley/Facebook.
Written by: Will Wight
Cover Photos provided by the City of Apple Valley/Facebook.
