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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Steve Anderson, Parks & Recreation Director <br /> <br />DATE: March 26, 2025 <br /> <br />RE: MnDNR Local Trail Connections Program Resolution <br /> <br />ACTION REQUESTED <br />Adopt a Resolution of Support to be submitted with the application for the MnDNR Local Trail <br />Connections Program for the replacement of the Thunder Bay Trail Boardwalk. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />The city is pursuing a grant through the Minnesota DNR’s Local Trail Connections Program for the <br />replacement of the Thunder Bay Trail Boardwalk that has reached its end of life. <br /> <br />The Local Trail Connections Program is intended to accelerate local trail connections to <br />planned and existing state trails and other public facilities, and not to create significant new <br />recreation trails. Its primary purpose is to make connections between where people live (e.g., <br />residential areas within cities, entire communities) and significant public resources (e.g., <br />historical areas, open space, parks and/or other trails). <br /> <br />Grants are awarded for the acquisition and development of connecting trails and for removal of <br />barriers that impede full access to these facilities. Historically, priority has been given to <br />projects that seek to develop residential connections to state and regional facilities and to link <br />existing trail systems. <br /> <br />The Local Trail Connections Program depends on local communities and their local <br />government representatives to provide inspiration, planning and commitment, as well as the <br />local matching financial requirement, to make these trail projects a reality. Local governments <br />complete the acquisition and/or projects and are reimbursed for a portion of the acquisition <br />and/or project completed. <br /> <br />The program was first funded in 1993 and has funded 294 trail projects statewide to date. <br /> <br />The Local Trail Connections Program provides matching grants to local units of government for up to <br />75% of the cost of acquisition, development, and/or redevelopment of local trails. The grant has a <br />maximum award of $250,000 and minimum of $5,000. <br /> <br />A requirement of the grant resolution is to obtain a resolution of support from the local government <br />stating the eligibility of the city to apply for the grant, ability to meet the matching funds required, and <br />that the proposed project will be constructed in accordance with the grant requirements. <br /> <br />Since the boardwalk is in both Little Canada and Maplewood, a resolution of support will be needed <br />from both communities.