3 Rivers Park District updates Dayton on West Mississippi River Regional Trail and land acquisitions

Anne Rickstein, principal planner for 3 Rivers Park District, presented updates on the proposed West Mississippi River Regional Trail through Dayton on April 1 and invited questions and local engagement.

Rickstein said the regional trail designation links Dayton to a larger network of regional trails and the federally designated Mississippi River Trail (MRT). “My name is Anne Rickstein. I serve as their principal planner,” she said, describing the trail as a regionally significant, non‑motorized corridor typically 10 feet wide and intended for walking, running, biking and rolling.

Nut graf: The presentation described a corridor largely complete through nearby cities, with a missing gap through Champlin and Dayton. Planners described a willing‑seller acquisition strategy for corridor parcels, coordination with Hennepin County’s Dayton River Road reconstruction, and several immediate outreach events to engage property owners and the public.

Details and timeline: 3 Rivers holds or has under negotiation public ownership of substantial acreage along the corridor in Dayton; staff identified about 20 parcels where construction will be challenging because of road geometry and shoulder width and flagged three recent acquisitions (one closed April 1, another expected April 15). A Hennepin County corridor study and phased reconstruction of Dayton River Road is scheduled in the county program (one phase shown for 2028 with subsequent phases later), and 3 Rivers staff said they are coordinating to align trail construction with the county’s road work.

Planned local events include a county open house on April 15 (where 3 Rivers will table), an online engagement window April 15–June 15, a 3 Rivers open house at Eastman Nature Center on May 14, and a joint city council/parks commission work session proposed for June 24. Rickstein encouraged local officials and residents to attend and to contact 3 Rivers staff for more information.

Gooden Park access proposal: Rickstein also described an active Gooden Park access and non‑motorized boat launch proposal in partnership with the city; 3 Rivers has submitted an LCCMR grant application and, if funded, expects construction as soon as 2026 using a staged approach (gravel parking, paved trail and non‑motorized boat access).

Commission discussion centered on acquisition strategy (willing seller), coordination with Hennepin County, how the regional designation differs from local trails, and the timeline for next engagement steps. Rickstein left printed materials and a copy of the long‑range plan for city staff.

Ending: 3 Rivers asked property owners to expect letters and follow‑up and invited the public to three engagement events over the next two months.