Remarkable milestones have been completed on three important Minnesota State Trail projects for the Mill Towns State Trail, the Blazing Star State Trail, and the Gitchi-Gami State Trail. This progress reflects years of steady advocacy and would not be possible without the dedication of local partners, trail groups, and communities who care deeply for these places. Parks & Trails Council is proud to have supported these efforts by offering coaching, helping develop educational materials, and providing a strong voice at the Capitol to advocate for investment in these trails. These long-awaited trail project completions offer renewed hope for the next phase of state trail development in Minnesota and advance the Parks & Trail Council’s vision of an interconnected system of parks and trails that provides Minnesotans with outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities while preserving our state’s natural diversity.
A new 100-foot bridge over Albert Lea Lake fills a long-time gap in the Blazing Star State Trail. The bridge, located on the edge of Myre-Big Island State Park, connects two previously built segments to now offer a 8.1-mile continuous trail experience.
This is a great addition to the Blazing Star State Trail, which highlights some of the best that Southern Minnesota has to offer. By connecting the vibrant city of Albert Lea and Myre-Big Island State Park, visitors of the trail can experience a diversity of natural environments such as wetlands, oak savanna, big woods, and prairies as well as exceptional birding.
Funding for this project came from federal transportation grants, state general obligations bonds, and the Legacy Fund.
Parks & Trails Council is an unwavering supporter of this project, believing that this trail connection would create an outstanding outdoor recreational experience attracting adventurers to a trail with double-digit mileage and funnel them to a beautiful state park.
Occasionally, a small gap in a trail can cause a major disruption and safety concerns. That was the case with a 1/3-mile gap in the Gitchi-Gami State Trail in the city of Tofte. Before the Nov. 4 unveiling of the new segment, trail users who wanted to continue through Tofte and beyond had to brave using a skinny shoulder on a busy highway.
Now, all those concerns are in the rear-view mirror as the gap was closed, allowing the trail to continuously run for 12.8 miles beween the cities of Schroeder to Lutsen. Plus, this trail now offers access to numerous businesses in Tofte.
At 12.8-miles, this segment is the second-longest one for the Gitchi Gami State Trail, with the 17-mile segment between Gooseberry Falls State Park being the longest.
Funding for this trail project came from grants and federal funding. The Gitchi-Gami State Trail provides visitors an unforgettable experience along the North Shore of Lake Superior, providing a scenic path to popular Gooseberry Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
Parks & Trails Council is an enthusiastic supporter of the development of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail and the interconnected outdoor recreation opportunities it could provide. Once complete, the trail will stretch 86 miles between the cities of Two Harbors and Grand Marais, connecting five state parks.
The Mill Towns State Trail near the city of Dundas was extended by one mile this past October. The extension runs from a city park in Dundas south to the city limits at County Road Eight. At this new southern terminus, the Minnesota DNR constructed a small trailhead that provides parking.
Additionally, progress is being made on a 6.1-mile extension to the trail’s northern end in Northfield, which will double the length of this segment. This project will link Riverside Park in Northfield with the historic Waterford Bridge in Waterford Township. It will also provide a safe biking and walking route for over half of the city to the high school, middle school, one elementary school, and the downtown area.
Parks & Trails Council has been a steadfast advocate for this project and key collaborator with the Friends of the Mill Towns State Trail.
