MnUSA - No Snowmobiling on the Dakota Rail Trail This Winter

In May of this year the Southwest Trails Snowmobile Club and the Carver County Snowmobile Club made a request to the Carver County Park Commission to consider snowmobiling on the Dakota Rail Regional Trail.

A public process to consider the request began with an open house explaining the request on June 23. Additional public meetings were held during the summer months at area townships and cities where a snowmobile trail was to be considered.

Recently the Carver County Park Commission made recommendation supporting the use of the Dakota Rail Regional Trail for snowmobile activity between County Road 33 in New Germany and County Road 155 in Waconia Township. Additional meetings at the County Planning Commission and County Board were being planned.

The Southwest Trails Snowmobile club and the Carver County Snowmobile Club respectfully have asked to postpone a permit request for the 2010-2011 season. Postponing the process to consider the permit request is based on the shortage of time to properly prepare and sign the trail if snowmobiling would be authorized this season. With additional meetings proposed at a County Planning Commission level and at the County Board, the time necessary to compete these meetings would bring the review and consideration process into December, leaving no time to properly prepare the trail for snowmobile use if permitted.

It is proposed that the request to consider snowmobiling would continue after the 2010-2011 season for the 2011-2012 season.

Currently, the segment of trail extending from the City of Mayer to the east county line south of St. Bonifacius is nearing completion. A 10-foot wide paved trail has been constructed in most areas. Finish grade and restoration work to bring soil up to the edge of the trail and seeding is underway. Additionally, work to install the trailhead parking lot at the City of Mayer is nearly complete.

Significant work remaining includes the installation of a bridge east of Goose Lake Drive along with approximately 2,000 feet of trail pavement. It is anticipated that the bridge will be installed later this month. The trail remains closed to the public.