Site work and paving for a mixed-use development in Shakopee, Minnesota. Conceptual plans call for site work for a playground / park / athletic field; road / highway; and for paving for a road / highway.

Southbridge Park is a 40-acre area that includes paved and gravel trails, an outdoor ice rink, and a large dog park. There are roughly 25 acres of wooded area dominated by oak species, mainly of the red oak group. Other native species present include black cherry, hackberry, cottonwood, and cedar. The hackberries and cottonwoods are found in the lower, wetter areas of the park and bordering the wetland. The cherries and cedars are scattered throughout. This park has also been invaded by common buckthorn and nonnative honeysuckle. Buckthorn and honeysuckle are woody invasives that form dense stands that can completely alter the understory composition of a forest, overtaking the native vegetation. This reduces habitat for wildlife and can contribute to reduced soil stabilization. Additionally, the oaks in this park are being devastated by oak wilt. Oak wilt is a fungal disease that infects oak trees cellular vessels, reducing the uptake of water by the infected tree. If no action is taken to restore this area, the current stand of oak trees will continue to die and be cut down with nothing replacing them. This would open the canopy, resulting in a loss of the woodland landscape. The goals for this project are to mitigate the impacts of tree loss due to oak wilt and provide a high quality, usable natural area to residents. This will be done through removal of the dead and dying oak trees, removal of woody invasives, planting native grasses and reforestation. The project is included in the City's 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). As of December 4, 2025, construction is funded for 2026-2028. *Project information has been obtained through a public capital improvement plan (CIP). A CIP is a financial schedule for short- and long-range projects which is updated regularly. Information listed in the CIP often evolves based on funding availability and the project details, including timeline and value, are subject to change. The content management team will continue to pursue additional details as they become available.