Minnesota Page 3

Photo courtesy smcgee | CC by 2.0

Notice: Upcoming Railroad Abandonment in Hennepin County, Minn.

Posted 08/31/15 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Taking Action | Tagged with Abandonment Notices, Corridors and Railbanking, Minnesota

On or about Aug. 25, 2015, Soo Line Railroad Company filed for the abandonment of 0.4 mile of track in the Prospect Park neighborhood of Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota. We are providing this information because it presents an opportunity to develop a real regional asset: a multi-use trail that can accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and other appropriate uses.

Photos CC Meet Minneapolis

Heart of Minneapolis: The Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway

Posted 04/25/14 by Leeann Sinpatanasakul in America's Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Minnesota, Trail Communities

At the heart of Minneapolis’ world-class trail system is the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, a series of seven segments of interconnected parks and parkways that loop around the city, acting as a key connector to the entire network of city parks and trails, and more than 300 miles of regional trails. The 7 segments are connected by 51 miles of paved pedestrian paths and (mostly) separate bike paths, as well as 55 miles of driving parkways that give the Grand Rounds its status as a national scenic byway.

Photos © Bryan French, Annual Mayor's Ride in Duluth, MN

Duluth, Minn., Is Striving to Become North America's "Premiere Trail City

Posted 04/23/14 by Katie Harris in Building Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Champions, Health and Active Living, Minnesota, Trail Communities

Mayor Don Ness, Duluth’s champion for trails, issued a challenge to the Duluth Trail Advisory Group—that “Duluth should be the premier trail city in North America”—and he is taking action to make that vision a reality. In 2011, the final draft of the Trails and Bikeways Master Plan was published, creating a blueprint for the future as the city moves forward.

Photo © Three Rivers Park District

It’s All About Connections: A Vision for the Dakota Rail Regional Trail

Posted 04/18/14 by Leeann Sinpatanasakul in America's Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Minnesota, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

Welcome to the Dakota Rail Regional Trail, a pathway currently less than 30 minutes west of the Twin Cities by car. As you may have guessed from the name, the trail was a railroad corridor owned by several companies over the years, including the Dakota Rail. Before its closure in 2001, the railroad ran through three counties from Wayzata, Minn., to Hutchinson, Minn., in McLeod County.

Photos © Root River Trail Towns

Rich with Heritage: Minnesota’s Root River Trail System

Posted 04/16/14 by Katie Harris in America's Trails | Tagged with Heritage and Restoration, Minnesota, Wild and Wonderful

Minnesota is full of hidden treasures. Tucked away between the bluffs of the southeast corner of the state, a 60-mile, paved trail meanders along the winding, trout-filled Root River. This region is rich with the wildlife, scenery and Scandinavian heritage that’s so celebrated in Minnesota, and it can all be seen along the Root River Trail System!

Photos © Camrin Denegel

From Great Plains to Great Lakes: Experiencing Minnesota by Bike

Posted 04/04/14 by Katie Harris in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Minnesota, Wild and Wonderful, Young Champions

Last summer, I was fortunate enough to travel by bike across the country—from the coast of Washington State to the coast of Maine—with my best friend Camrin. The impetus for the trip was our desire to see the true fabric of America. And one of the absolute highlights of our trip was riding across the state of Minnesota.

Photo CC Heather Harvey via Flickr

Featuring Minnesota: A Spotlight on the North Star State in April

Posted 03/31/14 by Marianne Wesley Fowler in Success Stories | Tagged with Minnesota

Smack dab in the middle of the radar is Move MN, a coalition dedicated to addressing critical transportation needs in the state. This diverse group of advocates is leading a charge to urge the Minnesota Legislature to pass a transportation funding package that would support: highway and bridge improvements, the development of regional transit systems and the expansion of safe, convenient bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.