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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday, February 1, 2021 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 5 of 13 <br /> <br />Mr. Shurson noted Edwards is absolutely right, they did have conversations with the State DNR and as <br />that property was being converted to state property they looked to see if they could negotiate the <br />possibility of an easement through there to allow a trail to connect as described. The DNR pretty <br />adamantly said that the bylaws for this particular SNA prohibits any kind of paved trail and this new <br />acquisition would inherit those same bylaws. They looked in more detail to see how feasible it was from <br />a physical standpoint; the grades are such that it would require a lot of grading, a lot of retaining walls <br />especially down by the lake and would really destroy the whole nature of the lot. He noted from a <br />physical and legal standpoint it is not possible, but Three Rivers did explore it. <br />Hudson asked if all goes well, what would be the projected completion date. <br />Mr. McCullough said as mentioned earlier, this is a Masterplan so once the plan is completed, then it <br />becomes eligible for funding. However, this is such a long-term project and vision that it could be 10, 15, <br />20 years before a trail like this gets constructed. What is likely to happen in the future is that logical <br />segments are constructed when opportunities arise and when it makes sense. He clarified that building a <br />21 mile-long trail through 7 communities is likely not going to happen in one project. They could be <br />looking at logical segments getting completed that may piece one regional trail to another or a state trail <br />to a regional trail, a regional park to a regional trail; places where development is happening, road <br />reconstruction is taking place, that is typically how Three Rivers puts these together. He noted regarding <br />timing, they are probably 10-20 years out in terms of construction. <br />Stephens asked if they went through the preferred route from south to north, it would be W1, W4, O1, <br />O2, O6, and O8. <br />Mr. Crosby said that is correct, it would W1, W4, O1, O2, O6, and O8. <br />Stephens asked if they can explain the optional route a bit better; they wanted to do it in addition to create <br />neighborhood loops. <br />Mr. Crosby noted O5 is a challenging section because there is not a lot of room in there but Three Rivers <br />sees that as a key connector between the existing trail that goes along Highway 112 and connecting up to <br />what will be the regional trail. If they can get this little piece (noted onscreen) constructed, they have the <br />opportunity - as there is already an existing trail along Highway 112 - to create these little loops using the <br />regional trail that would go through the Wood-Rill SNA, the O3 which is on the Luce Line, and the City’s <br />current trail that goes along the roadway; that is one loop. The other loop is the new trail they have going <br />into town and along the backside of the highway that connects up with Park and the Luce Line. He noted <br />there would be these two loop systems that would be possible by making this one little connection as part <br />of the trail plan. <br />Mr. Shurson noted the next step in the process would be to meet with the City Council and go through a <br />similar presentation and get their approval on the preferred route. He does not know what the agenda <br />calls for but it could be some sort of motion towards recommended preferred route to go forward to the <br />City Council, and that would be Three Rivers’ desire. <br />Carter would be comfortable with that and asked Three Rivers to email the Commissioners that one slide <br />after the meeting so they have a record of what they say they like.