07-23-2025 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT TO: Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council FROM: Steve Anderson, Parks & Recreation Director DATE: July 23, 2025 RE: MnDNR Local Trail Connections Program Grant Acceptance ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED Accept the $250,000 Local Trail Connections Grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) for the replacement of the Thunder Bay Trail Boardwalk Project. BACKGROUND Originally constructed in 2003, the Thunder Bay Trail Boardwalk was a joint project between the City of Little Canada and the City of Maplewood. Over time the boardwalk has begun to fall apart and is approaching end of life. At the March 26 City Council Meeting, the Council adopted a resolution of support that was submitted with the application for the MnDNR Local Trail Connections Program for the replacement of the Thunder Bay Trail Boardwalk. The Local Trail Connections Program is intended to accelerate local trail connections to planned and existing state trails and other public facilities, and not to create significant new recreation trails. Its primary purpose is to make connections between where people live (e.g., residential areas within cities, entire communities) and significant public resources (e.g., historical areas, open space, parks and/or other trails). Grants are awarded for the acquisition and development of connecting trails and for removal of barriers that impede full access to these facilities. Historically, priority has been given to projects that seek to develop residential connections to state and regional facilities and to link existing trail systems. The Local Trail Connections Program depends on local communities and their local government representatives to provide inspiration, planning and commitment, as well as the local matching financial requirement, to make these trail projects a reality. Local governments complete the acquisition and/or projects and are reimbursed for a portion of the acquisition and/or project completed. The program was first funded in 1993 and has funded 294 trail projects statewide to date. The Local Trail Connections Program provides matching grants to local units of government for up to 75% of the cost of acquisition, development, and/or redevelopment of local trails. The grant has a maximum award of $250,000 and minimum of $5,000. City staff were notified on June 30, 2025, that the grant application has been approved.