2013.04.10 Parks Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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140"h Street to 145th Street Extension: Washington County is also working on an extension of the trail from 145th to 140th. There are several steps that the County is working on in order to make this possible and they have hired a consultant. They continue to work out an agreement with BNSF to get the rail abandoned and purchase the property. Federal funding is being used for the purchase of the property; therefore the construction plans for the trail must be approved by several state agencies. Approvals are being sought by Minnesota Department of Transportation and the State Historical Preservation Office. A master plan for the trail corridor is also a requirement to receive future funding from the Metropolitan Council. 3. PLANNING PROCESS: Washington County hired Schoenbauer Consulting to put the master plan together. A Technical Advisory Committee was assembled that included representatives from Washington County, the adjacent counties, the watershed districts, MN Department of Transportation, MN Department of Natural Resources, The City of Forest Lake and the City of Hugo. Public Open Houses were held January 24 at the Forest Lake Service Center and March 6 at Hugo City Hall. Public input received included: • Manage snowmobiles and pedestrians interactions • Promote local business • Highlight connection of Bixby Park [in Forest Lake] to the regional trail ■ Identify existing and proposed trailheads • Improve signage and wayfinding information • Enhance consistency in roadway crossings • Add some trail amenitieis • Improve connections to schools and local destinations ■ Finish southern end • Improve aesthetics The draft Hardwood Creek Regional Trail Master Plan will be presented to the Washington County Board for their approval in late April/ early May. 4. VISION STATEMENT: The vision for the master plan "is to provide a regional trail of high public value offering a quality recreational experience and a critical link between numerous local and regional parks, trails and destinations." The trail shall also be: ■ Visually appealing and located in a pleasant corridor separate from traffic • Contiguous and convenient with limited interruptions and impediments to travel ■ Safe and accessible for family use, and those with limited skills • Of an acceptable grade suitable for all pedestrians and bicyclists -2- Hardwood Creek Trail Master Plan Draft April 10, 2013