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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, November 7, 2016 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />Edwards noted the proposed trail extension is the blue line depicted on the map. <br />Loftus stated the green line is an informal road that bicyclists can use. <br />Bryce Johnson asked how long the blue line is. <br />Edwards stated to his understanding it is approximately a half mile long. <br />Bryce Johnson asked if any of the residents have requested the blue trail. <br />Edwards stated the turnback committee has discussed that and suggested the City take a look at that. <br />Since that time the County gave a presentation to the Council on the trail extension. <br />Loftus noted there was an open house recently on the trail with approximately 40 people in attendance. <br />At that time there were 24 residents in favor of the trail and one was opposed. <br />Johnson asked if it would be considered part of the Parks trails. <br />Levang indicated it would be. <br />Bryce Johnson stated he is attempting to determine if there is truly a need there for that third connection. <br />Edwards stated that is the question before the Park Commission and that now is the time to do it if it is <br />going to be done. <br />Loftus noted throughout the entire Highway 112 corridor there will be a trail along the north side of the <br />road. If there is no trail extension, it will abruptly stop at Old Long Lake Road, with no visual guidance <br />on where to go or what to do at that point. Loftus stated the obvious trail connection that invites people <br />into downtown Long Lake would be the trail extension and that the appeal to do it now is the cost <br />savings. Loftus commented people like the most direct and visually obvious route and that the roadside <br />trail is something that Hennepin County is strongly encouraging. Loftus noted Hennepin County will not <br />be contributing anything towards maintenance of the trail or anything else outside of the curb going into <br />the future. <br />Bryce Johnson stated it seems like a relatively easy fix to tell people to go onto Old Long Lake Road. <br />Johnson stated if the intent is to go east on the Luce Line trail, in his view the green trail is as easy of a <br />way as it would be by taking the green and the blue trail. <br />Lotus noted the green already exists and is a road. <br />Ruegemer commented she is not going to go on the road with her children and that adding the connection <br />seems to be a safer route. Ruegemer stated currently it is very dangerous with little kids. <br />Levang noted Old Long Lake Road has very little traffic. <br />Loftus stated now is the time to consider it and decide one way or another. Loftus stated if a trail is added <br />at some point in the future, the costs would be much higher since Hennepin County will not be <br />contributing anything towards it. <br />Page 7 of 13 <br />