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HARDWOOD CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL MASTER PLAN PROVISIONS FOR SNOWMOBILES AND HORSES LAND ACQUISITION ISSUES WCOLgtm Given realistic budget constraints, any landscaping enhancements along the existing trail will focus on the following: • Key points of entrance — to help identify/define the location and establish a pleasant aesthetic character as a user enters the trail • Screening of adjacent properties — especially where land uses are considered unappealing and inconsistent with the trail character • Accenting amenities — such as adding a few trees around a bench location to provide shade and frame views On the southern end of the trail, a naturalistic landscape theme will be used when new trails are developed. This will include using natural grasses in all areas disturbed during construction, along with select placement of durable trees and shrubs to add character and provide visual buffers along the trail. The exact location and design for all of these landscape improvements will be determined at the point of implementation based on the available budget. (A budget figure is included in the cost estimate in Section 5 for this purpose.) WCRRA, Washington County, City of Forest Lake, and City of Hugo all have the same policy that allows snowmobiles and horses to use the regional trail corridor. Except for bridges, snowmobiles and horses are not allowed to use the paved trail surface. Given the popularity of these uses, it is expected that these policies will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Any changes that may occur would be at the policy level and would not directly affect the trail development provisions defined under this master plan. Nonetheless, each of these trail partners appreciate the public's concern related to the interaction of snowmobiles and pedestrians during the winter, especially with respect to shared use of bridges. These issues will continue to be monitored and addressed as needed to ensure that the trail remains a safe recreational environment throughout the year. Further actions may include more education, improved signage, and stricter enforcement if use conflicts become a greater issue. For the proposed trail segment associated with the active rail line (I 40th Street Down to Falcon Court), the WCRRA acquisition program will continue to be used by Washington County in acquiring this railroad corridor right-of-way as it becomes available. For the proposed trail segment along Falcon Avenue Segment (Falcon Court Down to 120th Street), acquisition of an easement from BNSF railroad will likely be required and is included in the cost estimate on page 67. At the local level, the City of Hugo will be responsible for trail easements associated with the interim trail route. (i