PROJECT TITLE: Swedish Immigrant Trail Segment within Interstate State Park ENRTF ID: 212-G Project Title: Swedish Immigrant Trail Segment within Interstate State Park Category: G. Land Acquisition, Habitat and Recreation Total Project Budget: $ 2,254,665 Proposed Project Time Period for the Funding Requested: 3 years, July 2018 to June 2021 Summary: Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail connection through Interstate Park to Taylors Falls City Hall. Build 180 bridge and trail segment A&B as illustrated. Segment C reviews and engineering only. Name: Laird Mork Sponsoring Organization: Chisago County Environmental Services Address: P.O. Box 815 North Branch MN 55056 Location Central County: Chisago City: Taylors Fall Alternate Text for Visual: 2 maps, one of entire trail Taylors Falls to Wyoming and one of Interstate State Park Segments I. PROJECT STATEMENT The Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail is a multi-use non-motorized trail connecting the Sunrise Prairie Trail in Wyoming to the St. Croix River National Wild & Scenic River in Taylors Falls through Interstate State Park. This area serves nearly 500,000 visitors each year. Because the last segments of the trail are within the State Park, Chisago County will process a Joint Powers Agreement to guide the relationship within the state park. Chisago County will take the lead on securing funds for the engineering, design and development of the trail from its terminus at the State Park boundary through the park; the DNR will provide the land. This project showcases the critical collaboration necessary to link state parks to regional trails and providing opportunities for access and recreation across the entire region. This project meets the LCCMR Six-Year strategic plan criteria for trails to "expand outdoor recreational opportunities through additions and connections to state, regional or local parks and trails. The goal of this project is to continue the development of the trail through the State Park, a new trailhead to provide access to planned city trails, allow for further feasibility studies through a challenging portion of the park and to connect current and planned trail acquisition and construction meeting a significant goal for the project. It also serves as a vital link to future state trail systems when they are developed, including the Gateway and Willard Munger Trails. This project will meet the evaluation criteria and the goals of the ENRTF by providing natural and cultural resource evaluation, engineering and development of a hard surface, accessible multi-use non-motorized trail showcasing the unique hardwood forest area of the state park and the St. Croix National Wild & Scenic River. The trail will connect the existing hiking trail at the west edge of the State park, with the path to the scenic overlook of the St. Croix Valley and to the Taylors Falls City Hall (where parking and accessible facilities are available). This project will make a connection to Taylors Falls City Hall and provide funding to continue cultural and Natural resource review in the State Park, for section C to the east. Funds included for dumps site cleanup within the State Park. Finally, because of its connection to the Sunrise Prairie Trail, the successful completion of this trail will result in a truly significant regional trail. II. PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND OUTCOMES Activity 1: Cultural and natural resource evaluation of trail route Segment A & B. Budget: $11,700 Outcome: Complete cultural resources and natural resource review Segment A & B. Completion Date 2018 Activity 2: Build Trail, Bridge and Parking / Trail Head Outcome: Complete 180' bridge, Trail Segment A .5 mile within State Park & Segment B with spur to Taylors Falls City Hall, Pave Parking Area/Trail Head Budget:$2,040,615 Completion Date 2018 Activity 3: Study/evaluation of trail route Segment C to determine feasibility through the park. . Budget:$202,350 Outcome: Detailed topographical, cultural and natural resources review documents. Completion Date 2019 Estimated Total: $2,254,665 III. PROJECT STRATEGY A. Project Team/Partners Project team includes Chisago County, State MN DNR Parks and Trails and the cities of Taylors Falls. Partners on the balance of the trail include the City of Shafer, Center City, Lindstrom and Chisago City. Chisago County completed a Master Plan for the Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail and received regional designation in 2014. The Master Plan identified eight segments for the 20 mile trail. Chisago County has been building segments of the trail as property and funding become available. Master Plan Document at http://www.chisagocounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/6641 Chisago County through a Joint Powers Agreement with the MN DNR will receive the grant from the ENRT. The Joint Powers Agreement (attached) defines the working relationship between the county and the DNR. In summary, the MNDNR will assist with Natural Resource Review and Cultural Resource Review. The MNDNR will contribute the use of land resources for the project area. The DNR Staff will assist with project completion through ongoing review and consultation. The City of Taylors Falls will contribute land resources for the trailhead/parking area. The State has awarded Chisago County regional Legacy funds in recent years to complete other segments of this trail. In addition to Legacy funds, Chisago County has committed funding in 2018 to complete a connection project segment F. The County expects future commitments from each of the participating entities, and entities will continue to connect the segments between and through each of the Cities. B. Project Impact and Long-Term Strategy The Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail, will connect the communities of the Chisago Lakes area, will be a safe, non-motorized transportation alternative, provide recreational and economic development opportunities for the region. When completed, the Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail will connect Taylors Falls to Shafer, Center City, Lindstrom, Chisago City and Wyoming. This trail connection across Chisago County to the Sunrise Prairie Trail provides a link to the Hardwoods Creek Trail in Washington County and to points beyond. When completed will have a significant regional impact. The project will also provide for critical linkages to the Gateway Trail and Willard Munger Trail as those trails are developed in the future. C. Timeline Requirements Trail segment A & B will be completed in 24 to 36 months (July 2018 - June 2020) Study/review of Segment C will occur simultaneously. Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) 2018 Main Proposal Project Title: Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail Connection Through Interstate State Park