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From humble beginnings, trail system is growing

Regional trails nearly as popular as regional parks

As popular as regional trails are now for recreation in the Twin Cities area, it may be hard to believe they were not in the original parks system plan.

The first policy plan for regional parks and open space was published by the Metropolitan Council in August 1974. It laid out an ambitious 30-year plan to create and develop a coordinated parks system for year-around outdoor recreation and enjoyment.

The addition of a trail system was first mentioned in a 1977 parks plan update, and it was nearly a decade before the fledgling system had 25 miles of usable trails.

Today, public use of regional trails is approaching public use of regional parks. According to new Council statistics, regional trails drew 14 million visitors in 2005, while regional parks drew 18 million.

In fact, the use of trails is growing faster than the use of parks. Visits to regional trails grew by 12 percent from 2004-2005, while visits to parks grew by 9 percent.

“The regional trail system is one of the landmark features of our nationally renowned parks system, in addition to the sheer size of the open space we’ve set aside and our beautiful interconnected lakes and waterways,” said Council Chair Peter Bell, a strong proponent of the trails and parks system.

“Visitors come from across the nation and from international shores to see and study what we have in our backyard. We owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who created and developed it. And we hope to add more to the system as a legacy to those who follow us,” he said.

First trails immediately popular

An extensive trail system was not a sure thing in 1977. The first “demonstration trail” was a pilot project created in Brooklyn Center that year connecting Elm Creek Park Reserve with Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. Farmland was acquired from private property owners for the 5.6-mile trail at a cost of about $3 million.

Though popular, trail planners soon learned that it was more cost-effective to use existing rights-of-way, such as abandoned rail lines, or to work with cities and private developers to set aside trail rights-of-way as land was being developed.

Around the same time, public awareness and public use exploded on the state-owned Luce Line trail and the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes paved trails. By the mid-1980s, parks planners had expanded the regional trail system and connected many of the isolated parks scattered across the metro area. The system was further expanded in the mid-1990s as more abandoned railroad lines were converted for trails.

Current parks plan calls for 877 miles of trails

From humble beginnings of about 25 miles of trails in the 1980s, today about 175 miles of regional trails are available for public use. An estimated 150 more miles will be added within five years. The 2030 Parks Policy Plan proposes a trail system of 877 miles - five times as large as today.

Metropolitan Council Planning Analyst Arne Stefferud said the public investment in regional trails system is a win/win for all comers.

“The regional trail system is recognized not only for its excellent recreation value and for increasing livability in the region. It’s also been proven to be an excellent economic development engine,” he said. “Realtors always mention access to regional trails while selling homes across the Twin Cities, and municipalities use trails to promote development and attract builders to their communities. The public payoff is immense.”

The Council and its partner agencies have proposed the largest expansion of regional parks and trails since the system was established in 1974. As planned, the 52,600-acre parks system will add about 18,000 new acres by 2030.

Trails popular for recreation and commuting

The most popular regional trails in 2005 were the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes trail, Wirth Parkway trail, and North Hennepin trail, all in Hennepin County. The Wirth Parkway trail drew more than one million visitors in 2005.

Not surprisingly, walking and biking are the most popular activities on regional trails. Other uses were by runners, joggers and in-line skaters. About four percent of trail users were commuting to work.