Chisago County / Group eyes finishing historic area trail
Biking, walking route lauded as link to other paths
By Megan Boldt
mboldt@pioneerpress.com
Article Last Updated: 08/11/2008 10:52:45 PM CDT


Outdoor enthusiasts are trying to garner support and finish a 20-mile bike and pedestrian trail from Wyoming to Taylors Falls.

After a decade of planning and construction, only about one-third of the Swedish Immigrant Trail is complete. The holdup so far has been landowners' reluctance, not lack of funding, said Laird Mork, parks director for Chisago County.

Mork said he estimates the cost is $125,000 to $150,000 for each mile of the trail. That includes the land purchase and construction costs.

"We're just trying to put the pieces together," Mork said. "It's hard to do without the right of way."

Segments are open in Chisago City, Center City and Shafer, and a portion through Lindstrom is scheduled to be done along with construction on U.S. 8 in 2011.

Supporters of the trail say it would be a major link to trails in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The plan is to connect it to the Sunrise Prairie and Hardwood Creek trails, which run from North Branch to Hugo, and to Wisconsin's Gandy Dancer Trail.

"This would be such a good opportunity for southern Chisago County, for our businesses and for children to have safe places to bike," Center City resident Rollie Westman said. "Once people realize that, I think they'll be on board."

The trail also might help tourism and business. Taylors Falls already is a tourist destination with campgrounds, Interstate Park and the St. Croix River. From there, visitors could bike to surrounding communities.

Tour operators
in Sweden have told Westman that groups would be interested in such a vacation.
"You'd have this fantastic loop that would make a wonderful one-week biking vacation," Westman said. "If you're a local restaurant owner, 10 extra customers a day could make the difference."

The trail is being built on a railroad bed abandoned in the late 1940s. Swedish immigrants used the route as they settled the towns of Chisago County.

Megan Boldt can be reached at 651-228-5495.

TO LEARN MORE

Visit ccbiketrail.org

Watch a video about the history of the trail:


English-language version at youtube.com/watch?v=rDhEsYR7VLA

Swedish-language version at youtube.com/watch?v=3SJATL5NgH0



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