The St. Anthony Park neighborhood is notable for its ecological history and is unique in that traces of that history are still visible, though somewhat hidden. A rich ecological complex of wetlands, streams and upland vegetation once covered large portions of District 12. With human settlement, railroads and industry, most of these natural systems have been filled in and paved over. The Kasota ponds complex and a few other wetlands are the remnants of this early landscape. Existing hydric soils indicate the historic extent of this once large wetland and pond complex drained by Bridal Veil Creek.
Extensive alteration of the landscape has obliterated the original
Bridal Veil Creek bed and enclosed it within culverts. Currently, only a few hundred feet of the creek flows above ground into Bridal Veil Duck Pond at Kasota Avenuein the Minneapolis nieghborhood of Southeast Como. Today, Bridal Veil Creek flows mainly through an antiquated sewer system under the Burlington Northern yards and Prospect Park. On-going interest in daylighting the creek has been expressed by residents of both cities. However, the Bridal Veil Creek and watershed are contained in separate civil jurisdictions and development zones, thus hampering the development of a common vision and resources to effect change. Despite draining and filling over time, hydric soils still affect development suitability. These hydric soils provide an ecological footprint and guide for the development of new corridors to connect the community, to improve habitat and ecological functioning, and as recreational amenities.
