Management Proposals (DNR)

Luce Line Trail development and management proposals

By Laurie Young

Trail Planning Supervisor
Department of Natural Resources

(612) 296-6690

March 16, 1998

Dear People Interested in the Luce Line State Trail:

I’m writing to inform you of the revised proposals for future development and management of the Luce Line State Trail based on the public review of the Draft Master Plan.

Thanks to all who attended the public meetings or sent in comments. In spite of differing views on the future of the trail, it was clear that the trail is very important to its current users and that it plays a very important role in people’s recreation.

The trail surface was the most controversial issue. Perspectives on this issue were polarized. There were strong proponents for an asphalt trail and strong proponents for a limestone trail. A compromise was difficult to find. Decision criteria used to finalize the recommendations included:

• Safety of trail users is the primary concern

• Existing uses should continue to be accommodated

• Unique opportunities should be preserved

• Additional trail uses should be added where it doesn’t displace other users

• Concerns with the existing limestone surface should be addressed to improve user satisfaction

• Statewide significance of the trail needs to be considered

One major outcome of the public review was that the amount of trail proposed for development with an asphalt surface was decreased.

The original long term proposal contained in the Draft Master Plan recommended asphalt between CSAH 127 and Cosmos for a total of 47 miles. The revised recommendations decreased the amount of mileage recommended to approximately 16 miles: 14 located between Cedar Mills and Silver Lake, and 2 miles located near Watertown.

Another major outcome of the review was to improve and intensify management of the existing limestone surface in order to address the concerns of trail users.

The following recommendations will be included in the plan as Phase 1 development. Assessment of the success of these recommendations will be used to make any future changes.

Recommendations for Phase I Development

1. Acquire and develop the trail corridor through Winsted to close the severance.

There is a 1.5 mile severance in the trail. Providing a continuous trail is a very important priority.

2. Construct bridges over TH 7 and CSAH 22 in Hutchinson.

Given the traffic on these roads and the design of the intersections, and the use of the trail, grade separation will maximize safety for trail users.

3. Test two alternative limestone surfaces on two sections of the trail.

One segment would test a cellulose resin binder added to the limestone, the other would be developed with surfacing aggregate, which is considered accessible for wheelchairs, compacts better, and is more resistant to rutting and getting soft. There is potential that these two surfaces could address some of the concerns expressed about limestone during the planning process.

4. Rehabilitate the existing limestone surface from Plymouth to Winsted.

If the results of the experimental limestone surfaces are positive, they could be used on additional segments between Plymouth and Winsted (except for 2 I/2 miles from Watertown to Oak Lake which is recommended for an asphalt surface.)

The existing limestone surface is approximately 20 years old. Increasing the depth of surface material and widening the surface would improve the surface quality.

5. Intensify maintenance of the limestone surface if funding for maintenance is secured.

Reshaping and compacting of the surface periodically will maintain the condition of the surface.

6. Enhance the natural resource values of the corridor through vegetation management (control of exotics and native plantings) and interpretation.

This action will enhance the natural values that people say they appreciate about the trail. Intensive vegetation management and interpretation will boost the statewide significance of this trail by demonstrating how corridors can be managed and educating trail users about this.

7. Asphalt for short segments near communities, to accommodate local needs. Where asphalt is used, a parallel tread way for snowmobiles will be provided.

Segments identified in the planning process are Hutchinson to Silver Lake (7 miles), Watertown to Oak Lake (2 miles), and Hutchinson to Cedar Mills (7 miles).

If damage to asphalt by metal studs is no longer a problem, snowmobiles could use the asphalt surface.

8. Develop the main tread way with aggregate, such as limestone, west of Winsted (except for segments of asphalt described in #7.)

This would result in 16 miles of new limestone trail.

9. Horseback riding should be accommodated between Winsted and Cosmos, a parallel tread way provided where feasible, and demand warrants.

Maximum separation possible should be provided between horses and bicyclists.

10. Continue to maintain and enhance the existing horse tread way.

Some additional work is still needed to provide a good trail.

11. Conduct a use and satisfaction survey of existing Luce Line Trail users.

Information about trail use will aid in the evaluation of the actions taken and provide information for future decisions.

12. Mountain bicycling on the first seven miles of the trail will not be promoted at this time.

Following is a summary of other recommendations contained in the plan that did not change as a result of the public review.

The vision for the Luce Line State Trail includes both natural and cultural resource preservation and enhancement, and recreation and transportation for trail users.

In some segments, the trail will provide for new uses to meet new demands. These recommendations were developed in consultation with trail users at public meetings and workshops, meetings with community officials and trail user groups, and responses from the survey of adjoining landowners and Luce Line Trail Association (LLTA) members.

Trail Uses

Bicycling, walking, running, dog walking, and nature observation will continue to be the primary summer uses on the Luce Line State Trail main tread way.

Rehabilitation of the horse trail from Vicksburg Lane in Plymouth to Winsted Lake will continue.

In winter, the trail will continue to be open to snowmobiling from Cosmos to Stubbs Bay Road in Orono. The trail will continue to be open for non-motorized recreational uses (walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing) east of Stubbs Bay Road in winter.

DNR will no longer set tracks for cross-country skiing. The plan proposes that discharge of firearms for the purpose of lawful hunting be allowed west of Watertown, using shot or pellets only.

Discharge of firearms is subject to all state and local restrictions, (including restrictions on taking a wild animal within 500 feet of a residence, building, or fenced pasture), or where prohibited by local ordinance. This plan proposes prohibiting discharge of firearms, within the trail right-of-way from Orono to Watertown for purposes of public safety.

West of Hutchinson, a parallel tread way may be added in the future for summer use by all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Additional right-of-way may be needed to provide maximum separation of uses and route the ATV trail around sensitive natural resources, such as wetlands or prairie remnants. If any additional land for closing severances or adding a parallel tread way is needed, DNR will only acquire land from willing sellers.

Formation of an Advisory Committee

A Luce Line Trail Advisory Committee should be formed to assist the DNR in making future development and management decisions. The advisory committee will play a role in evaluating the success of the initial steps of trail surfacing, and make recommendations for next steps.

Site Development

Nine new small parking/rest areas will be added in communities along the trail.

These areas will have orientation maps; trail user education and information, picnic tables or benches, and plantings of native species.

Existing parking areas in several locations will be upgraded, with plantings, surfacing, and maps/information. Seven small wayside rest areas will be added at scenic and historic sites, with small shelters, picnic tables, or benches, and interpretive information on natural and historic resources. New facilities and main tread way will be accessible to trail users with disabilities.

Community Involvement/Partnerships

Continuation of the Adopt-a-Trail program sponsored by the LLTA will be encouraged.

DNR will continue to work with the local trail user groups, communities, schools, and counties on enhancing the trail and trail support facilities, and encouraging local trail connections to significant destinations.

Resource Management

The ecological value of the trail corridor will be enhanced through more intensive resource management, acquisition of adjoining significant natural resource areas, or by offering technical assistance to adjoining landowners who wish to restore or preserve native vegetation.

The resources within the trail right-of-way will be managed to provide a healthy diversity of native woodland, wetland and prairie communities for wildlife habitat, and for the appreciation of trail users and adjoining landowners.

Planting and management of native grasses, wildflowers, trees and shrubs will be accelerated. A more detailed natural community management plan will be developed, with plans for planting, prescribed burning, or control of undesirable exotic species.

Trail Connections

Trail links to community and county trail systems, other long distance trails, parks and natural areas, schools, and residential and commercial areas, are encouraged.

Improving access to the trail and linking to significant destinations for trail users will enhance use of the trail. Pedestrian access to Wood-Rill (the new DNR Scientific and Natural Area adjacent to the Luce Line in Orono) will be emphasized with interpretive signs.

Maintenance

Routine maintenance of state trails to provide a quality recreation experience has historically been chronically under funded.

As new miles of trail are developed, new uses added, and numbers of users increase, maintenance needs will also increase. Funding for adequate maintenance should be secured.

Conclusion

These recommendations will be evaluated and revised in light of new information, new legislation, trends, and future demands, in consultation with the advisory committee.

The planning process is almost completed. The plan is currently undergoing a final review by DNR resource staff.

After this, it will be formally presented to DNR leadership, and used by Trails and Waterways staff as a guideline for future development and management of the Luce Line.

Thanks again for your interest in the trail.