2026.04.06 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Meeting Minutes for March 16, 2026 Page 5 of 7 Connor Shafer, Senior Planner with Washington County, described how the project will move from a vision plan to lines on a map. Phase one is the segment assessment, and phase two is evaluation and analysis to determine which routes perform best. This work leads to a final route recommendation. An existing route on the north side of County Road 8 would extend east and connect to the Hardwood Creek Trail, continuing north to County Road 4. A trail is proposed to go east along County Road 4, where there is room for trails on both sides of the corridor. The plan proposes a soft-surface trail for equestrian and snowmobile use on the north side and a paved bike/pedestrian trail on the south side. High water conditions in some areas may require boardwalks. The proposed trail would connect Hugo to Big Marine Park Reserve and Marine on St. Croix. At the Big Marine Park Reserve, the trail would go south into the Kelly Farms property, which the County is working on acquiring as part of the park. It is possible the trail could then utilize the Canadian National rail line to the east since the rail line is seldomly used, but there have not been any strong commitments from Canadian National. It was felt it was prudent to include it in the plan so certain funding could be applied for if the rail line ever became available. An alternate option for connection to Marine on St. Croix would be CSAH 4. Features of the trail include trailheads, parking, kiosks, and interpretive opportunities along the corridor. It would also recognize the Hopkins Schoolhouse site. Implementation considerations include future phases for preliminary design studies, final design studies, and ultimately construction, recognizing that this is a long-range plan. Under Washington County policy, the County typically provides 50 percent of construction costs and 100 percent of replacement and repaving costs. The County would be responsible for operations and maintenance costs on County-owned land. The County will work to reduce overall project costs through grant funding (which is why regional trail designation is important), land donations, and development agreements. Connor explained the next steps are to get final support from the City of Hugo. The plan would then be forwarded to the Washington County Board and then to the Metropolitan Council for final approval. Weidt made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2026-6 SUPPORTING THE WASHINGTON COUNTY GLACIAL HILLS REGIONAL TRAIL LONG RANGE PLAN. All Ayes. Motion carried. Update on Hardwood Creek Regional Trail At the meeting of March 21, 2022, the City Council approved a letter of support for the construction of the final extension of the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail and subsequent applications for grant funding. Washington County was notified in summer 2025 that it had been awarded funding through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. The proposed trail extension will utilize City trails and sidewalks along 140th Street and Fenway Boulevard in coordination with the City’s 2026 street improvement project. New trail construction is planned between 130th Street and Hugo’s southern border at 120th Street adjacent to Falcon Avenue.