"Prairie" Mowed Down

The Star Tribune reports an "urban prairie" around the YWCA in south Minneapolis, an educational showcase of beautiful prairie grasses and flowers that has been growing five years, was mostly mowed to a stubble by the city.

The inspector and the mower apparently missed, or did not read, the sign on the grounds that explains the site and includes pictures of the native species. The mowing was stopped by someone at the Y, but not before all but a small area around the sign was razed.

Pre-emergents were sprayed on the area to keep weeds from moving in. The city inspector, reportedly acting on complaints about the 8" grasses, mailed a notice to the school district headquarters that share the property with the Y to mow the area or the city would. The school district apparently never responded.