Arden Hills

[Little D]

Anyone have an update on trails in Arden Hills or anything in Nordeast? Thanks

[Tim Wegner]

Dan

I had a meeting with the city of Roseville Parks department about the possibility of trails in one of their parks. (they contacted me) I think this winter we will be doing presentations to the parks commission and to the city commission. This trail will be a multi-use trail and could be 5-7 miles in length.

As far as the military land not much movement in the past 3 years. We need to get in front of them again and pursue. We were moving along nicely before the 9/11 happened and then everything shut down.

So much for what is happening in the Nordeast.
TW

[SprocketHead]

I would Love to see some Off Road riding anywhere in the northern supburbs! Please, let me know if you need some help.

[Brick]

I had a meeting with the city of Roseville Parks department about the possibility of trails in one of their parks. (they contacted me) I think this winter we will be doing presentations to the parks commission and to the city commission. This trail will be a multi-use trail and could be 5-7 miles in lengtth. Roseville....most excellent! Which park(s)?


As far as the military land not much movement in the past 3 years. We need to get in front of them again and pursue. We were moving along nicely before the 9/11 happened and then everything shut down.
I'm not sure of the status of the big "Training Area" is at this time, but you may want to instead approach the City of Arden Hills. They at least would have the latest information on when that land may be made available, and the city would be much easier to deal with.

As long as the Guard is using the area for training, I don't think that they will open the area to the general public, at least not with a shooting war going on.....still....I'd love to go ride back there.....

[Tim Wegner]

If my memory serves me it was called reservoir woods. Don't hold me to that, this was the 4th piece of land I looked at that week for possible trail construction.

TW

[Little D]

Thanks Tim!
I found Reservoir Woods Park on the net and it has 120 acres of land. I believe it's pretty close to County Line Cycles (name?) Let me know anything I can do to help get this project going.

[stoneage]

If my memory serves me it was called reservoir woods. Don't hold me to that, this was the 4th piece of land I looked at that week for possible trail construction.

TW
Here is a link Tim:
Reservoir Woods (http://www.ci.roseville.mn.us/parks/ParksandShelters/parks/reservoir_woods/index.htm)

[Brick]

I believe it's pretty close to County Line Cycles (name?) If you go over to Victoria from County Cycles, and then South for about 2 miles, you'll run into one of the paved trails running through the park at the Roselawn Ave /Victoria curve on the east side of the reservoir by the cemetary.

[Tim Wegner]

Yup this is the land. The bike shop is located near the city hall where we had our meetings.

TW

[BentSpoke]

hello everyone, I too would love to see something done with the land near arden hills and shoreview. I live in the north metro and there is no good legal place to go without a twenty to forty minute drive and that's without traffic. The way I see it trails could be built and used for mountain biking, hiking, and X-C skiing. Also, the one hill would be a stellar sledding hill, huge attraction. I understand the problem is the guard training. Now, what if the facility was to be open weekdays and the first and third weekend of every month. I think we could deal with that type of schedule, we don't go to murphy til august or september so what's the deal if we don't have a few weekends. It works out great for both sides. The place is already fenced so keeping people off during training weekends is not a problem. Why? Is this place not already working like this? It frustrates me and I am sure a lot of other people. Everytime I drive by I picture myself riding a singletrack across the rolling long grass prairie making an accent into the trees (mix of hardwoods, cedar, and pine) Taking a break at the lookout on top to see the minneapolis skyline off in the distance. Clicking back in and rolling on. The terrain is very diverse. One of my favorite parts of riding in battle creek is the meadering trails throught the prairies and the winding trails in the woods. I no that this is a tough wartime but come on can we do more about it, what is currently being done? Hope everyone has a happy holiday and maybe the dream will come true.

[ryno lite]

You hit the nail on the head. There was some progress on this front at one time and then 9/11 occurred. The military has been a bit distracted since then and has put things like this to the side (I guess I don't blame them). Don't hold your breath waiting for this to happen is what I've heard at the MORC annual meetings! If you want something to the north, you better hope some of that Roseville land Tim is talking about pans out or that 3 Rivers gives us the oppurtunity to build in Elm Creek. They are our best North Suburb oppurtunities as of right now, from what I've heard. Although, I'm not in the know so someone else could probably give you more info.

[jitterjepp]

What about Elm Creek? I remember riding on some "mountain bike trails" but they were pretty lame. It was like someone took a lawn mover, pushed it through tall prairie grass and called it a mountain bike trail. In fact I think that's exactly what they did which is why no one rides them and being that on one rides them they probably see no need for any development or research on the subject. I think everyone up there probably goes to Elk River to ride.

I would really like to see an epic ride in Minnesota. I don't see why we cant have one. We have all that state land up north. There are huge national and state tracts of land. In the Boundary waters there is one hiking trail that is 42 miles long and it goes in a straight line and crosses no roads!! It is completely maintained by volunteers. If they wern't doing it the park would just let it grow over. If a bunch of hikers can get together and keep a 42 mile trail up we should be able to maintain one at least a 100 miles long! With campsites! And fishing!! And a brew pub!! Ok maybe the brew pub is a bit much to ask but I still say we should have AT LEAST one epic ride in Minnesota. The Kopelli, the White Rim Road, Maah Daah Hey.....Lets get some of that action man. I'm all about the Epic ride and I'll put some serious time into throwing dirt around for that.

[ryno lite]

One of the big goals of MORC is getting an epic ride in this state. I think we'll see it happen, it just might take awhile. I'm sure we can get access to state and federal lands and I know we are always working on that sort of thing, but we need help. We're a pretty small group and our budget reflects that. If we want to do this sort of thing, we need more than just access to the land. We'll need more members, more volunteers and more money. I think it can and will happen, but we need to grow to take on a project that is as epic as an epic ride!

In the case of Elm Creek, you are right they have mtn bike trails, but I have never counted them as a mtn biking area. Went there once and that was all I needed! Boy do they suck! If someday we get access in Elm Creek, we will be designing and building our own trail like at Lebanon. Here's hoping that it will become a reality!

[Tim Wegner]

An epic would be nice. If you have read the forums you are aware of the area near Brainerd that MORC has been asked to consider for development. This area could have 35-40 miles of trails. But guess what-----there is not a Trail Fairy. The population base in that area is not enough to support doing all the trail finish work by volunteers. In the metro area we have a lot of people that are ready to do trail work---right after working at their jobs. Once you ask people to give up their weekends to dig in the dirt you will lose people and the trail will not get completed. People will work 2 maybe even 3 weekends per year but not every weekend for most of the summer. Which is what it would take to get this trail finished in 2-3 years. Remember that Lebanon took 3 years to complete 8 miles of trails and that was with trail work one night per week plus John Lundell spending much of his free time working on his own on this trail.

I believe that for this trail at Ironton to be built quickly and become a destination trail it will have to be done by construction crews that know how to build sustainable trails. This will cost $$$$$. The latest information that I have is that a mile of finished trail costs around $11,000. Multiply that by the number of miles and pretty soon you are talking some big dollars.

With the condition of the state finances expecting the DNR to pay all of this is not realistic. We are currently working on financing sources to see if building this trail is feasable or not.

Most of you know that I work with land managers about 2-3 years ahead of the actual construction. You never hear about what I am doing unless we are making positive progress towards our goals. Some may not like that but many land managers prefer that everything be in place before any public announcment is made. This process has been very successful and we have gotten tremendous access to different areas. Right now I am working with 9 different land managers to come to agreement for trails. Some of those trails will happen soon and others may be as many as 4 years away or even more.

An example: Lebanon Hills was 3+ years from the time of the first discussion until we moved the first piece of dirt. Dale Gundberg and I spent 18 months meeting once per month for 4-5 hours with the land managers and the master planning coordinator not only to get permission to improve the trails at Lebanon but to ensure that the trails would not be shut down completely!!

Sooooo, please be patient. I want what you want--instant access and trails. It just doesn't work that way. There is a process that must be followed and every land access issue is different. What works with Dakota County may not work with DNR, Three Rivers, State Parks, different city governments etc.

Be ready, when the notice goes out that we are working on a new trail we will need everyone's help to make sure the success and reputation of MORC is maintained and more areas get opened to trails for us to ride.
TW

[Brick]

Any movement on the Res Woods trails over the winter??

[Tim Wegner]

Discussions with Arden Hills about Res Woods is about to begin again. I have really been busy with a getting a park district in another area agreeing to partner with MORC on a grant application. The grant application is being deilvered today so I should have more time to get back to this project in Arden Hills.

Matter of fact I had an e-mail from one of the key people on the AH project yesterday. We are getting ready to meet again and looking to do a presentation to the park department and if that goes well to the city commission.

Keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best.

TW

[SickBoy]

This is a most, most excellent development. I work about 2 miles from County Cycles (and live only 4 miles further away) and I would show up for trail work every day that I'm not otherwise committed. I have been fairly vocal about the fact that it would be nice to start a project in the north central/north east side of town.

Tim, keep us posted on this project. I think it could move forward rather quickly (once approval is received) without detracting from the other active projects (wirth/murph/salem) due to being in different geographical areas.

And please feel free to call me personally if you need more assistance.

[DeepC]

Tim, isn't res woods in Roseville? If you are looking at something specifically in Arden Hills PM me. I have direct contact with the appropriate City Staff to help things out a bit. No one on the Arden Hills Staff has mentioned bike trails to me.

[TML]

Hmmm. . . Maybe there's been some movement in both cities. TCAAP???

About the Resevoir Woods possibility in Roseville, it'd really be nice if something came of it. There's plenty of people on the north side that are just jonesin' for the opportunity to work on a trail in our area. Keep us posted Tim, and like I've said before, I'm anxious to help in any way possible.

[funky-funky-chicken]

Discussions with Arden Hills about Res Woods is about to begin again. I have really been busy with a getting a park district in another area agreeing to partner with MORC on a grant application. The grant application is being deilvered today so I should have more time to get back to this project in Arden Hills.

Matter of fact I had an e-mail from one of the key people on the AH project yesterday. We are getting ready to meet again and looking to do a presentation to the park department and if that goes well to the city commission.

Keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best.

TW

Tim, I sent you a mesage at your Yahoo account with some information. I'd like to help out any way that I can.

[Konaboy]

What about Long Lake Park in New Brighton? There is a short loop there (and I mean short). Does anyone know if that is a legal trail?

[SickBoy]

I can see it now... Ken, Troy, Don D, and myself out building in roseville at a feverish pace for two nights a week for months... :banana:

just so we can have our "own" trail. :-D

[Kosk]

Does anyone know if that is a legal trail?

Yeah, not so much, and if I recall, is full of poison ivy once the growth comes in too. Those trails have been there for a long, long time, and there is some wicked fall-line erosion coming off the big hill in a couple spots. All the sand doesn't help. There's so much potential all the way from long lake to the mississippi. I grew up down there. Anoka County lacks "legit" single track. Have they ever been apporached about it? I would definately get behind that.

[Tim Wegner]

My only concern about anoka area is the type of soil. Everything I have seen up there so far has been SAND! At this point I am not sure we know enough about building on sand to make the trails sustainable. At least they should drain well!. Anyone know about the soil types in Anoka area?

TW

[Kosk]

Tim,

Grew up there, spent lots of my childhood down along rice creek. Long lake is all sand, and lots of stuff along the mississippi is sand (where it floods), but the corridor along rice creek between the two is not too bad. There is already trail weaving off the paved path most of the way between the lake and the river. The only problem, and probably biggest, is that much of the buildable area along that corridor is prone to flooding, I can remember two or three instances where some areas have flooded during my youth.

[BrightYellow]

Oh yeah, I'm in for building some trail up here! Yahoo!

I used to live about 2 blocks from Resevoir Woods - it's basically on the corner or Co. Rd. B and Dale - or at least one end of the park is. Used to hike and run in there all the time! It's a great little hidden park - and there are plenty of hills in there too!

It's gonna RAWK!

-D

[BrightYellow]

What about Long Lake Park in New Brighton? Does anyone know if that is a legal trail?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that trail is not legal - although it would be sweet to have a trail at that park too. It's another great place for hiking - especially in the winter.

-D

[Little D]

[QUOTE=SickBoy]I can see it now... Ken, Troy, Don D, and myself out building in roseville at a feverish pace for two nights a week for months... :banana:

or is it "Me also..."?

[fisherbikefreak]

Count me in on the building of the Res. Woods trails. That's practically in my back yard. Let me know if I can do anything to help out.

I am one of us MORC members that would love to help out but can't get to the other trails during workdays. Something on the NE part of the cities would mean that I wouldn't have that excuse. This would be a great location that is easily accessible for those of us in the NE area. There are already paved trails that lead near this area and other designated bike paths (Como Park and near the Cemetary), but this would allow us to escape the pavement and venture through the trees. This is exciting.

[Vert]

I've just read all of the posts regarding mtb trails in the north metro. I'll echo the sentiments of the others here: I'll do what I can to help make something happen up here. The Twin Cities Ammunition Plant property would be so sweet, but it's not just a problem with National Guard training or the war. The land is the biggest Superfund site in Minnesota, due to years of manufacturing depleted uranium ammunition. It is also the largest undeveloped plot of land in Ramsey County, so everyone is fighting over what gets to happen there once the site is cleaned up. I can see the hills of this site from my house, and everytime I look at them I think this could be the Battle Creek of the north metro. I do know that the City of Arden Hills just had another meeting regarding this project. Hopefully, they will set aside a good chunk of this property for recreation, and not turn the whole site into another "McSuburb". In the meantime, I'd be happy to help with the trail system proposed for the park near County Cycles. I can't see it from my house, but it's a hell of a lot closer than anything else up here. Let me know what I can do on either of these issues.