Dayton City Council signals preference for road-side alignment, urges easements over mass property buys for Mississippi River trail

Dayton City — City staff and councilors on the Dayton City Council discussed two alignment options for the West Mississippi River Regional Trail along Dayton Road during a work session and gave staff direction to favor a road-side alignment and pursue easements rather than broad property acquisitions.

Staff member (the presenter) told the council the map shows two alternatives: a brown/red line that mostly follows existing right-of-way and a pink line that would bring the trail closer to the river but would require more land purchases and face steep slopes and floodway constraints. "The red here is what we could do today currently, and this is what they would prefer to see is pink," the staff member said, noting the map colors and slope shading.

Why it matters: moving the trail closer to the river would be more scenic but also more expensive and technically challenging, councilors said. One council member warned that some segments would need costly structures to cross ravines — a comment that the group discussed in the context of overall project budgeting and timeline.

Several councilors said negotiating easements would preserve residents' property options while allowing a trail to be built sooner. "My personal vote is to . . . go with easements and not purchases of property, at all possible," one council member said, adding that easements (including back-yard easements) could avoid taking homes while still allowing a continuous route. Another councilor argued council should not acquiesce to wholesale purchases without 3 Rivers Park District proving a parcel was essential.

Councilors repeatedly cautioned about physical constraints along the river: steep slopes, ravines and floodway rules that require extra engineering review. One staff explanation flagged floodway regulations and additional scrutiny for any river-side alignment. Council members cited earlier acquisition estimates discussed with the park district and said funding for buying land and funds for actual trail construction appear to come from different sources, which affects how quickly work can proceed.

Public comment reflected mixed practical perspectives on design and safety. John, a long-time Dayton Road resident who said he rides hundreds of miles a year, urged councilors to consider who will use the trail: fast touring cyclists who ride 15–20 mph and long-distance riders may prefer shoulders on the road, while children and casual users will use a separated path. "A high speed bicyclist is not a kid," he said, urging designers to consider sightlines and intersections.

Outcome and next steps: No formal vote was taken. Staff said the council's direction — broadly, a preference for the brown road-side alignment and using easements where possible, with staff identifying any specific parcels the council would categorically oppose — gives them what they need to report back to 3 Rivers Park District. Staff closed the session saying they would pass that guidance on to the park district for its planning and property-acquisition decisions.

The council did not adopt a binding policy change at the meeting; it provided direction to staff and requested that 3 Rivers Park District justify any proposed full-parcel purchases and work with the city on parcel-level options and easement negotiations.