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May 7, 2026 <br /> Erin Baylock, Project Manager <br /> Washington Public Works <br /> 11660 Myerson Road North <br /> Stillwater, MN 55082 <br /> RE: PROPOSED HARDWOOD CREEK TRAIL EXTENSION <br /> Erin Baylock- <br /> As Board of the Bald Eagle Estates Homeowners Association,we are writing to advise you of <br /> our objection and concerns relative to the proposed extension of the Hardwood Creek Trail as it <br /> adversely impacts our private property. On May 4, 2026,we held our annual meeting of <br /> homeowners in our Association.Two documents were shared with homeowners: the Project <br /> Timeline made available at the April 8 Public Meeting; and the drawing showing the proposed <br /> trail relative to our property, recognizing that you have stated that you do not yet have a final <br /> plan for the trail, so this is a preliminary drawing. As you are aware, some Association <br /> homeowners also attended the April 8, 2026, Public Meeting at Hugo City Hall and expressed <br /> their concerns. <br /> Our Association is an over-55 community of homeowners who specifically chose their homes <br /> here for reasons including privacy, safety, and natural setting surrounded by trees, proximity to <br /> wetlands and wildlife. The trail extension proposed will eliminate some of these valuable assets <br /> of our properties. While we do understand that a final trail plan does not yet exist, we collectively <br /> have several significant concerns relative to the design scheme presented thus far. Among <br /> these are the following. <br /> 1. The path of the trail will run parallel to the railroad tracks and Highway 61 fronting all our <br /> properties. It will most certainly necessitate the removal of the majority, if not all, of the <br /> trees, shrubs and foliage adjacent to our entire private road. Loss of these trees and <br /> foliage will adversely impact the aesthetic value of our properties in addition to removing <br /> both the visual and sound barriers of the railway, but more importantly, Highway 61. <br /> 2. Our private road was not designed and built to handle the kind of equipment that will be <br /> needed to construct the trail extension. It will most certainly be destroyed if it is used by <br /> such equipment. <br /> 3. Loss of privacy. The trail without any barriers (trees, fencing) eliminates the privacy <br /> homeowners currently have. <br />