BEST TRAILS STATE in AMERICA

Did you know that Minnesota was voted the "BEST TRAILS STATE in AMERICA"?  This award is presented every two years by American Trails, the only national nonprofit organization working on behalf of all trail types, including bicycling, hiking, cross-country skiing, equestrian, snowmobile, off-highway vehicle, and water trails. *source MN DNR Website

The trails in Minnesota are popular and well used; and the Root River State Trail  is one of the oldest and most popular bike trails in Minnesota.  With that much POPULARITY, a face lift is in order.   

Last year the stretch of trail that was resurfaced and widened, started in Fountain and ended in Lanesboro.  This year, the DNR will continue by completing the section of trail between Lanesboro and Rushford.   

Craig Bloomer, MN DNR Acquisition and Development Coordinator,  shared with the Trail Town Group that inspections of the bridges will be the first order of business as soon as the snow has melted enough to "see" the bridges.  Then they will take a section at a time to clear trees and brush along the trail and then resurface the bike trail.  The new industry standard is a 10' wide bike trail, so that adds 2' to the current 8' width.   

Communication with the DNR and the local Trail Town officials will be going on throughout the Spring and early Summer.  I will be incorporating a map on the Chamber website to show what part of the trail is being worked on and an estimated time of completion.    

READ MORE about the DNR's strategic plans:  

DNR Legacy Plan for Parks & Trails 

The Blufflands State Trail system consists of two historic trails - Root River Trail (Fountain to Houston) and the Valley State Trail (Harmony to Preston and then connects to Root River Trail).  The combined trails give the bikers over 60 miles to enjoy.   

Along these trails are interpretive and directional signs that assist bikers in learning about the history, culture and abundance of natural resources.  After years of hot summers and frigid climates in the winter, the signs have seen their better days.   

The MN DNR has been working to update and refresh the current signage system.  The partnership they have formed is with the 106 Group from St Paul.  In October of 2010 the 106 Group presented their conceptual plan to the MN DNR that includes HIGH, Medium and low priorities.  From those plans, DNR spokesman, Craig Blommer shared that the HIGH priorities will be completed in the Spring of 2011:   

• NEW Trailhead Kiosks will be installed- total of 6 (Fountain, Lanesboro, Whalen, Peterson, Rushford, Houston) estimated to be in by the end of June 2011
• Orientation Sign at the Trail Junctions 1 - at Root River Trail & Valley State Trail junction
• New Trail Guides that the DNR will distributed to Trail Town's visitors centers

Eventually the 106 Group and the MN DNR will work on completing the Medium and low priorities, which include:

• Audio Tours & Audio devices - enhances the visitors experience and enlightens them about the rich heritage and culture of our area. (Medium) 
• Creating a scavenger hunt along the trails, so that bikers are encouraged to observe the natural resources of our region. (Medium) 
• Interpretive graphic panels
• Timeline Garden & Found-Object Sculptures (low)