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The trails in Champlin deserve further explanation. The U.S. Highway 169 trail is designated as a local trail because of the narrow right-of-way and the conflict with existing driveways. It is suggested that the regional trail be located along a power line corridor which parallels the highway. The proposed alignment of the regional trail is similar to one suggested in the Champlin Comprehensive Park Plan with the exception that the trail wit1 follow the half-section line between Winnetka Avenue North and Trunk Highway 52 north to the Mill Pond. The proposed trail along U.S. Highway 169 wi.l'l serve only the needs of the local residents. Existing Public Accesses - In the older neighborhoods of Champlin most of the riverfront is privately owned. Because of the limited number of parks on the Mississippi, and since the cost of acquiring such land is prohibitive, it becomes essential for communities to maintain and use all public land which has access to the river. With limited public expenditure, existing public rights-of-way can be developed to allow pedestrian access to the river. Land- scaping, and possibly some park benches can be provided so local residents can obtain a view of the river. With proper landscaping, the City should be able to define property lines and to protect adjacent property from public encroachment. Water Surface Use - The Coon Rapids Pool extends from the Coon Rapids Regional Dam to the Trunk Highway 52 bridge. The Trunk Highway 52 bridge represents the upper limit of the navigable portion of the Mississippi River. It is anticipated that most of the water activity north of the Trunk Highway 52 bridge will be either non-motorized or small fishing boats. According to the Hennepin County Park Reserve District Study, the Coon Rapids Pool is used predominately by motorized boats, and a majority of those being 50 horsepower or more. With the construction of a boat launching facility -35-