HomeMy WebLinkAbout#04 - Cross Country Ski Trail Grooming Grant
STAFF REPORT
DATE: 05/06/2025
CONSENT
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Assistant Public Works Director – Adam Swanepoel
AGENDA ITEM: Cross County Trail Grooming Grant
CORE STRATEGIES:
☒ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services ☐ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future ☒ Managed Growth ☐ Resilient Infrastructure
BACKGROUND:
For the past several years, the City has been a participant in the Cross Country Ski Trail
Assistance Program sponsored by the Minnesota DNR. This program allows for reimbursement
of costs related to maintaining the ski trails in the forms of fall trail maintenance and winter trail
grooming. The proposed application would cover the 2025/2026 ski season in Sunfish Lake and
Reid Park. Historically, the city has groomed trails in Sunfish Lake, Demontreville, and Reid
Park, which collectively feature over 8 miles of ski trails. In 2025, the city plans to extend its
grooming track by adding an additional two miles of trails in Schiltgen Park.
ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL:
Should the city pursue submission of a grant application for Cross Country Trail Grooming
Reimbursement at Sunfish Lake, Reid Park, Demontreville and Schiltgen Park ?
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
Annually, the City of Lake Elmo submits an application for the Cross Country Ski Trail Assistance
Program through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to support the trail system in
Sunfish Lake Park. In 2022, the city expanded the trail network by incorporating an additional two
miles through Reid Park. In 2024, Demontreville Park contributed an extra 1.3 miles of trail. The
allocation of funds is influenced by the number of participants in the program and the total miles
of trails being maintained. The city has received between $4,000 and $5,500 in the past from grant
funding to assist with some of the expenses associated with the construction and upkeep of the
cross country ski trails across all three parks. These funds are utilized to help mitigate the costs of
fall trail preparations and winter grooming activities. A prerequisite for the application process is
the inclusion of a resolution that demonstrates City Council approval to endorse participation in
the program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
• If awarded, the city would receive reimbursement for up to 65% to help offset the cost of
trail maintenance and 60% reimbursement for trail grooming in the winter months.
RECOMMENDATION:
“Motion to approve Resolution 2025-037 to approve grant submission to Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources for Cross Country Ski Trail Grant-In-Aid Program.”
ATTACHMENTS:
• Resolution 2025-037
CITY OF LAKE ELMO
WASHINGTON COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-037
A RESOLUTION RELATED TO SPONSORING THE CITY OF LAKE ELMO
PARTICIPATION IN THE MINNESOTA DEPARMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI TRAIL GRANT-IN-AID PROGRAM FOR THE
2025-2026 SEASON
BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Lake Elmo, Minnesota, that the City of
Lake Elmo will sponsor the City participation in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Cross-Country Ski Trail Grant-In-Aid Program for the 2025-2026 Ski Season.
APPROVED by the lake Elmo City Council on this 6th day of May, 2025.
By:_________________________________
Charles Cadenhead
Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Julie Johnson
City Clerk