Dakota Rail Trail promises endless possibilities
Lester Prairie is on the edge of endless future possibilities when it comes to the Dakota Rail Trail, which will connect western McLeod County with the Twin Cities, once it is developed.
Work has been completed for the first phase of the trail in Carver County, which is a seven-mile stretch from the east county line to the city of Mayer. A grand opening is scheduled to take place May 21, 2011.
In 2009, federal funding was approved which opened the door for work in Carver, according to Carver County Parks Director Martin Walsh.
Construction of the second six-mile section, which runs from Mayer, through New Germany, to the west county line, is expected to begin in 2012. Public meetings will take place throughout 2011 to plan the construction of this section of trail.
Walsh said the trail surface will be asphalt, which will attract the greatest number of trail users.
Currently, the trail links Mayer to the western suburbs. Eventually, the trail will extend from western McLeod County near Lester Prairie to the western suburbs.
In Lester Prairie, the trail runs east to west through the middle of town. At this time, it is leased to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
McLeod County is in the planning stages for extending the development of the trail from the Carver County line west to Lester Prairie, but the funding is not there at this time, according to McLeod County Commissioner Sheldon Nies.
When complete, the trail will be suitable for a variety of recreational activities, such as bicycling, walking, running, in-line skating, dog walking, and other non-motorized uses. During the winter months, the trail may be open to snowmobile use if cities, townships, and county allow this, according to the plan.
No other motor vehicles will be allowed on the trail. Equestrian use will also be prohibited, because demand is low, and because the trail is near the Luce Line horse trail.
The rails and ties were removed from the corridor in 2004 and 2005, and the current state of the trail is “undeveloped, uneven, and overgrown, with trestle structures that lack railings or solid decking,” according to the plan. Carver County has posted the trail as closed to public use until it can be developed. There is an exemption for snowmobile users, who help maintain the trail.
