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- 1 - HCRT Letter of Support March 21, 2022 CITY OF HUGO PARKS COMMISSION REPORT TO: City of Hugo Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission FROM: Shayla Denaway, Parks Planner SUBJECT: Hardwood Creek Regional Trail Regional Solicitation Funding Letter of Support DATE: March 17, 2022 for the City Council Meeting of March 21, 2022 1. INTRODUCTION: Washington County is applying for Metropolitan Council Regional Solicitation funding to help construct the final extension of the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail in Hugo. Staff recommends approval of the draft letter of support for the grant application. 2. BACKGROUND: The Hardwood Creek Regional Trail is a 12 mile multiuse trail, stretching through Forest Lake and Hugo. A master plan was approved for the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail in 2013, after extensive public engagement. From the north to south, the existing trail follows the Burlington Northern Railroad corridor, adjacent to Highway 61, from the Chisago County border in the north, to 140th Street in Hugo. Between 140th Street and Falcon Court, an alignment is identified in the master plan to provide a route to get around a part of the corridor where rail use will remain active for an undefined period of time. Washington County is leading a feasibility study to construct the trail from Fenway Blvd N and 130th St N to 120th St N (Ramsey County Rd J). Washington County has discussed the study and alignments with Wilson Tool and received a letter of support for the project. Public engagement has also included the impacted neighborhoods, including the Bald Eagle Estates Townhome Association. There have been questions about vegetation removal and comments have been generally supportive of the project. 3. PROPOSED PLANS: Washington County’s feasibility study includes conceptual alignments and cost estimates. One alignment was identified for the trail segment between 130th Street and Falcon