HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 22 - Feasibility Study for Lake Elmo Regional Trail1
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
DATE: 11/06/2013
REGULAR $$
ITEM #: 22
AGENDA ITEM: Feasibility Study for Lake Elmo Regional Trail
SUBMITTED BY: City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission
THROUGH: Dean Zuleger, City Administrator
REVIEWED BY: Shane Weiss, Chair, City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission Parks Commission Trail Committee
SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS (if removed from the Consent Agenda):
- Questions from Council to Staff ............................................................ Mayor Facilitates - Public Input, if Appropriate ................................................................... Mayor Facilitates - Call for Motion .............................................................................. Mayor & City Council - Discussion ..................................................................................... Mayor & City Council - Action on Motion .................................................................................. Mayor Facilitates
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED:
To allocate $12,000 of Parkland Dedication Funds to complete a feasibility study of a multi-use trail
corridor, to be known as the Lake Elm Regional Trail, that would extend from Oakdale (at the corner of
Inwood & Stillwater Avenue) to the Stillwater Senior High School. This trail segment has been endorsed
by the Parks Commission as their priority trail project. The motion for this action is as follows:
“Move to approve the allocation of parkland dedication funds, not to exceed $12,000 for a study to
determine the feasibility of an east-west regional trail connecting Oakdale to the Stillwater Senior High
School in reasonable proximity to the Highway 5 Cooridor.”
STAFF REPORT:
In 2013, the City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission conducted a community survey to assess park &
recreational needs. The survey results noted that community connectivity and trail development was a
priority with respondents. The Park Commission created a Committee to study trail needs that
incorporated the survey results, the City’s Trail Plan and traffic safety needs of the community. At the
conclusion of their study they determined that the creation of a trail from Oakdale to the Stillwater High
School with tangential access to Sunfish Lake, the Lake Elmo Park Reserve and downtown Lake Elmo
was a priority in the implementation of a trail plan. This trail would interconnect with the County’s plan
to provide west-side access to the LEPR as well. This plan would also utilize existing public land, ROW,
and other public lands to minimize the cost of right of way acquisition. The project would be constructed
in two phases – Oakdale to the Old Village and then the Old Village to the Stillwater Senior High. It is
the intention of the Park Commission to apply for a Minnesota Legacy Grant through Washington County
to the met Council for the funding of this project. Currently former Mayor Dean Johnston serves as the
Chairman of the Met Council’s Parks & Open Space Commission and community advocate Jennifer
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Pelletier serves as a member of the Washington County Parks Commission – both are supportive of this
project and will play key roles in the advocacy of this plan.
In order to make proper application for the Legacy Grant, a feasibility study needs to be completed of the
trail to identify ADA issues, right of way issues, safety needs, and potential interface conflicts with the
rail line, STH 5, and use of the Lake Elmo Park Reserve. It is anticipated that this study will cost $12,000
to complete to determine feasibility. The study would be coordinated by Focus Engineering.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff Recommends the following action:
Move to approve the allocation of parkland dedication funds, not to exceed $12,000, for a study to
determine the feasibility of an east-west regional trail connecting Oakdale to the Stillwater Senior High
School in reasonable proximity to the Highway 5 Corridor.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Lake Elmo Regional Trail Concept Map