Trail Development Volume I - Laserfiche WebLink

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VI I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I explore residents' visions for the City of Ramsey. The results of 492 responses indicate that residents are in favor of recreational/nature trails with walking, jogging, biking, rollerblading and cross-country skiing as desired activities. There was a 79% positive response in favor of developing recreational trails in Ramsey. The authors identified that the opinion oflandowners adjacent to the Brook could be impacted if conservation easements or the principles of eminent domain were applied and/or utilized. Research indicated that the development of a natural trail system tends to cause surrounding property values to rise. Increasing motors and/or traffic would cause land values surrounding the trail system to decrease. Land use within the Trott Brook watershed is mostly agricultural and residential. Specific pollutants connected to these land uses were not monitored; frequently inorganic and organic pollution are associated with these land uses including pollution from septic systems; leaf litter; livestock waste; road salts; and soil erosion. Trail maintenance for the proposed multi-use trail system along Trott brook was divided into two categories: general maintenance for gravel and paved treadways, and winter maintenance for cross-country ski and snowmobile trails. Most of the research emphasized generating ideas for establishing an effective winter maintenance program complete with trail grooming, based on the criteria that it be inexpensive, easily accessible, and efficient. This was accomplished by working with officials of Elm Creek Park Reserve located in Hennepin County. An effective program could be implemented along the Trott Brook corridor to groom the trails to support winter use. The program involves the use of lightweight grooming equipment that could be constructed for approximately five hundred dollars. This equipment could be pulled behind a snowmobile and in one day, with only one operator, effectively maintain both cross country ski and snowmobile trails along the Trott Brook corridor. In conclusion, the authors have determined that Trott Brook and the adjoining land will support a trail corridor and that the citizens of Ramsey desire an east/west trail. It appears that the trail could be developed to support a wide spectrum of recreational activities or a single activity. This study shows Trott Brook represents a valuable natural resource for the citizens of Ramsey. As the areas around Trott Brook are developed, the ecological health of this community resource must not be compromised.