Laserfiche WebLink
regional trail systems, existing and future park plans of the City and state, <br />funding, etc, It appears that a comprehensive trail system is far in the <br />future; Northfork could serve as a catalyst, but the trail system would <br />basically be within the P.U.D. Mr. Otto also noted that without being <br />connected to a larger system, the trail would be too short to be of any use for <br />horse or snowmobile use. Also, there is no parking area for users of the <br />trails. Mr. Otto explained several alternatives for park land. <br /> Alternative ~l: Establish a trailhead in the first lot in the southeast <br /> corner of the property~ trails through wetlands up to ~rott Brook, <br /> although poor soils and expensive to construct. ~is alternative includes <br /> 2.6 miles of pedestrian trail and using the ro~t right-of-way for ~ loop <br /> blcycle trail. ~e cost to construct the trails (no park development) <br /> would be approimately ~162~000 ant includes approximately 17.7~ acres. <br /> <br />Alternative 42: Access from 154th Lane cul-de-sace, acquisition of land <br />to the north of the proposed lots in the southeast corner (approximately <br />17-20 acres) to tie in with trails in exist/nE Whispering Pines park. <br />This includes about 2.7 miles of pedestrian trails and /~ miles of bicycle <br />trails. The cost to construct the trails (no park development) would be <br />approximately $183,000 and includes approximately 27 acres. <br /> <br />Alternative 43: Access from the northern lot in the proposed cul-de-sac <br />in the southeast corner to tie in with the existing park in Whisperint <br />Pines with pedestrian trails and bike trails as in Alternative 42. This <br />alternative includes about 38.5 acres and would cost approximately <br />$166,000 for trail development (no park development). <br /> <br />Mr. Otto recommended that the Co, mission acquire land to establish a trailhead <br />and to enhance the existing park in Whispering Pines by adding land adjacent to <br />it. Mr. Otto also suggested that horse and snowmobile trails should be <br />redirected to longer trails and to be coordinated with other trail systems. <br /> <br />Terry Hendriksen, Minnesota Trailriders Association and Planning Commission <br />member inquired as to where cost estimates for trails were from. Me stated <br />that horse trails are the cheapest trails to develop. <br /> <br />Mr. Otto replied that there is nothing for a horse trail to tie into; the City <br />would be proposing a brief segment at this time; the City cannot construct a <br />trail that only leads to private property. <br /> <br />Hr. Hendriksen commented that the City needs to be more far-sighted and needs <br />to start planning for the future. Mr, Otto agreed and stated 'that the <br />Commission should look at the entire City and the possibility of getting a <br />trail to tie in with a larger trail system. <br /> <br />Acting Chairman Lichter asked how much land the Commission can request for park <br />dedication. <br /> <br />Dennis Peck, North Fork, Inc., stated that the developers need to know the <br />Commission's plans for park dedication. Acting Chairman Lichter stated that <br />the Commission had recommended acquiring land for trails which would be <br />developed as funds are available. In addition, the trail would eventually tie <br />in with the Trott Brook corridor. <br /> <br />Mr. Otto commented that bike trail development could be deferred to some future <br />date; pedestrian/multiple use trails could be development fairly reasonably. <br /> <br /> <br />