The Wright County Board of Commissioners approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in early February with the cities of Clearwater, Monticello and Otsego to take part in developing a master plan for a regional trail.

 

The Great River Regional Trail will enhance the region’s recreational and multi-modal transportation system by providing connections between three municipalities, and has the potential to connect numerous municipal park facilities, including Otsego County Park, Montissippi County Park and Warner Lake Regional Park in Stearns County. 

 

It  could also provide trail links to the West Mississippi River Trail in Hennepin County, the proposed Beaver Island Trail in Stearns County and the proposed Crow River Regional Trail in Wright and Hennepin County.

 

The master plan project will identify any future alignment, construction, amenities, acquisitions, phasing, public input, regional analysis and costs associated with completing, maintenance and operations of the Great River Regional Trail.

 

Marc Mattice, director of parks and recreation for Wright County, told the county commissioners in order to receive state funding, there has to be a plan in place.

 

“Every granting agency looks for a plan,” he said. “The big part of a master plan is public input - getting people to talk about what they want or don’t want. It provides preferred alignments for use groups, cost analysis and provides usership numbers so we can make proper decisions on how to spend funds.”

 

All three cities have approved the agreement. Wright County is contributing $45,000 to the plan. Clearwater’s share will not exceed $9,000. Monticello’s share will not exceed $14,000. Otsego’s share will not exceed $6,000, which will be used to integrate existing plans and public input from 2018.

 

“The master plan puts us in as potential designation as a proposed regional facility, which would open up Legacy Grant funds,” said Mattice, “and a better opportunity for transportation enhancement funds in the future.”

 

The board also approved soliciting requests for proposal (RFP) for firms to develop the plan. RFPs are due March 1, with selection of the firm set for March 26. The plan is expected to be completed by Nov. 1.