7.2. PRSR 10-09-2013 Elk Request for Action
River-
To Item Number
Parks and Recreation Commission 7.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Action Items October 9, 2013 _ Michael Hecker,Parks and Recitation Director
Item Description Reviewed by
Great Northern Trail Letter of Support Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
City staff recommends that the Parks and Recreation Commission approve a letter of support for the
Great Northern Trail to be extended from the Elk River city line.
Background/Discussion
Sherburne County is applying for a DNR Trail Legacy Grant to construct a 1.7 mile paved trail to extend
the current Great Northern Trail from the Elk River line to County Road in Livonia Township. The
County has requested a letter of support to be included in their grant application. A recommended letter
of support is attached for your review and support.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
• City of Elk River Letter of Support
• Sherburne County Memorandum
• Great Northern Trail Site Map
!POWERED Oil
Elk
River
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River,MN 55330
October 10, 2013
Nancy Riddle
Planning &Zoning Administrator
Sherburne County Government Center
13880 Business Center Drive
Elk River,MN 55330
RE: Grant for Acquisition of land for Great Northern Trail
Dear Ms. Riddle
The City of Elk River is in full support of Sherburne County pursuing construction of a pedestrian
trail along the abandoned railroad corridor that reaches from Elk River to Princeton. The Parks and
Recreation Commission did discuss and approve this letter of support at the October 9,2013
Commission meeting.
Extending this trail from Elk River will provide a great recreational option for our residents. It will
also have a direct link to 239th Avenue in Livonia Township,which will provide access that leads to
scenic Sugar Bush Park,which would be about 3 miles south of the city of Zimmerman.
We are very supportive of your efforts to obtain grant money to complete this trail. We believe this
trail will benefit local residents, but will also eventually serve as a recreational destination for
Minnesotans who live outside of Sherburne County.
We applaud the County for recognizing the need to provide safe and alternate modes of
transportation for our citizens.
Sincerely,
Michael Hecker, CPRP
Parks and Recreation Director
Phone: 763.635.1000 PO WEAEI B1
Fax:763.635.1090NATURE
www.ElkRiverMN.gov
0guRNE CCV
e .c' *, Sherburne County Government Center
:t"" PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATION
au
13880 Business Center Drive
1: Elk River, MN 55330
. * Phone:763-765-4450 or 1-800.438-0578
Mt HS54tP'.t
Fax 763-765-4467
MEMORANDUM
To: Randy Piasecki,Zimmerman City Administrator rpiasecki @sherbtel.net
Lila Spencer, Livonia Township Clerk livtownclrk@sherbtel.net
Michael Hecker, Elk River Parks &Rec Director Mhecker@E1kRiverMN.gov
Cc: Nancy Riddle, Sherbume County Plannin & Zoning Administrator
From: Jon Sevald, Sherburne County Planner3t
Subject: Request Letters of Support for Trail Grant (Great Northern Trail)
Date: September 13, 2013
Sherburne County is applying for a DNR Trail Legacy Grant to construct a 1.7 mile paved
pedestrian trail and trailhead. The trail will be located between the Elk River/Livonia line to
Co Rd 25 in Livonia Township. The Trailhead will be located at Co Rd 25.
The County is requesting letters of support to be included in our grant application. The grant
application is due by October 25,2013. Letters should be submitted to Jon Sevald at
jon.sevald @co.sherbume.mn.us . The sooner letters of support are received, the sooner the
County can submit the grant application to the DNR.
The planned Great Northern Trail(GNT) will traverse Sherburne County north-south,
connecting Elk River, Zimmerman, and Princeton, and will serve as a regional non-motorized
trail along a former railroad corridor.
The proposed project will be an extension of the GNT through Elk River. The existing trail is
4.5 miles in length. The proposed trail extension will add 1.7 miles (6.2 miles total length). The
paved trail will be 10' wide, and intended for walking/hiking,bicycling, in-line skating, and
cross-country skiing. The proposed trailhead at Co Rd 25 will include a paved 6-stall parking
lot, picnic table, well & fountain, and kiosk with a trail map and information about the area's
history and environment. Both the trail and trailhead will be ADA compliant.
Grant awards will be announced in winter, 2014. If funded, the trail and trailhead will be
constructed in 2015 and operational by June, 2016.
As of 2012, the County has acquired the trail corridor between the Elk River/Livonia line to
Zimmerman in fee title or permanent easement. The County continues to pursue acquisition of
the trail corridor between Zimmerman and Princeton. Completion of land acquisition for the
GNT has been a County Board goal since 2008.
Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please call Jon Sevald at (763) 765-
4463.
I SAL
PARR
IA
0 , 0
l = ' � '`
LIONS City of� ,:
Zimmerman f , k '7
S b
m •
45 1 •
r
t + %
fr
243j Aye W N
25 Proposed Trailhead
/...-
• A
C Project Site Level Map \' •��'
Great Northern Trail a Livonia Township
•
litiP
jSchool
dillipProject Location(1.8 Miles)
•V Great Northern Trail-Proposed
^,,Great Northern Trail-Existing ¢ ---
County Owned Land
Parks 22
S Lakes (>\T> Rice
VVetlantls \Cake
City Limits .�
1 1 1 1ii
•
MI5 1 1 1 I PI •
Miles City of
1 Elk River 1 ••,