Upcoming Bike Events: Nanotech Trek - June 18th-19th click Nanotek Trek MSTram - July 24th - 29th MSTram Details Upcoming Activities Spring Quarterly Meeting - April 28th at Darr's NEW Auction Building Bluff Country Studio Art Tour - April 29th-May 1st ExpoCulinaria - June 11th at Hoiland Mill Rushford Days - July 11th - 17th - RushFest SEND YOUR EVENT INFO click CHAMBER
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MEETING RECAP - Root River Trail Group
25th Anniversary set for September 16th,17th & 18th
The main topic was the update on how and when the resurfacing/repair to the Root River Bike Trail will be started and completed. The first step was an inspection of all the bridges between Lanesboro and Rushford, about 10 to 12 bridges. The bridge/trail inspection revealed there will need to be a 3 phase process - - Phase 1 - Replacing/Repairing the SUPPORT or underside of the bridges - which will require very minimal closing, if any,of the trail and will begin July 1st and take about 1 month. No work is scheduled during the weekends.
- Phase 2 - Replacing/Repairing the RAILS or topside of the bridges - which still needs to be sent out for bid to be contracted. This may happen later in the Autumn season but no set date as of right now.
- Phase 3 - Resurface and expand the width of the Root River Trail section between Lanesboro and Rushford - the money for this project is secure and as of now looks like will happen late this Fall or next Spring/Summer. When they begin this process, a 5 mile section closes at a time and communication will come from the DNR on the progress and what section is affected. The Trail Town Group will remain in contact with each other and the DNR, as this process is happening and communicate to area business people and will be posted on the websites.
The 25th Anniversary for the Root River Trail System will be held the weekend of September 16th, 17th and 18th. A letter/invitation was sent to the Governor Dayton at the beginning of the month and another letter/invitation will be sent to the DNR Commissioner - the hope is they will attend some of the events along the Trail. Another meeting will be held on May 20th in Harmony to finalize the TOWN ACTIVITIES that will be held that weekend. The Parks & Trails Day on the Hill was a very educational conference. I was able to connect with the group from Lanesboro on "where to be when" and they were very helpful - I appreciate them very much. There were groups from all over the State that were there to hear about what the Parks & Trails Council is lobbying for on their behalf. The three (3) key points that the Council covered during the conference: - Don't cut parks and trails GENERAL FUND money any MORE THAN other state budgets and don't backfill with Legacy money. To read more about the Legacy money click on Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment
- Do BUY more land - Land prices are low and now is the time to make STRATEGIC ADDITIONS to parks and critical connections
- Support the trails bonding bill in HF919. The bipartisan bill introduced in March would provide $21.4 million for 15 trail projects around the state that are ready to go. The bill would create jobs AND more economic activity.
*"The Parks & Trails Council exists to acquire, protect and enhance critical land for public's use and benefit." *from their home page Check out their website: Parks & Trails Org Website
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