Clearwater has a trail that runs almost the length of the city along Co. Rd. 75.

 

That trail may someday connect east to Monticello and west to St. Cloud.

 

Monday evening, the Clearwater Park Commission looked at a number of other potential trails that could connect to a regional system to the south and east, as well as within city limits.

 

Joe Pelawa from Bolton & Menk, the city’s engineering firm, presented a map of potential trails that could be included in the city’s long-term plan. The goal is to preserve corridors for trails that could serve as regional connections to other trails proposed by the state and county.

 

Some of the trails run along roads and future roads. Others are on private lands.

 

Most communities require either a park dedication fee, or a donation of land for parks or trails when land is developed. The proposed Clearwater trail plan would establish where that land would be.

“That’s why we’re looking at this,” said Pelawa. “If a developer comes in, the city has master trail plan to follow. It can be a real nice amenity with the development.”

 

Some of the potential corridors include a trail over I-94 from Co. Rd. 75 to Co. Rd. 7 if the state adds a new interchange in the future. That trail could run south to 160th Street and connect to another trail that runs west along 160th Street, across Hwy. 24, then across the Clearwater River.

 

Another trail would run south from Sportsman’s Park, along the Clearwater River and connect to the Hwy. 24 trail already proposed by the state.

 

Pelawa said the north-south trail could potentially run south along the west side of the Clearwater River in Stearns County, then switch to the east side at Co. Rd. 143.    

 

“I don’t know exactly what the terrain is like down there, but it seems like on the west side of the river north of I-94 there’s  lower area where a trail would be a nice feature,” he said.    “That land is not developable for housing because it’s so low. Eventually it would be parkland or open space.”

 

That trail would connect by a bridge to the new archery park and eventually connect to a trail along the Mississippi River.

 

The commission also talked about a smaller trail connection within city limits along the Mississippi River from Hwy. 24 to Riverside Park.

 

Commission Member Vern Scott said the city already has about a 20-foot wide stretch of land on the bluff overlooking the river. That could connect further east to Eagle Trace land by the river. 

 

Pelawa said the proposed alignments could change depending on development or if the city decides to go another route. 

 

“It’s not something that will happen tomorrow - maybe 10 years from now,” he said. “This just gives you a picture of the proposed connections.”