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County engineer backs conceptual support for County Road 16 trail with guardrails to limit county exposure
Summary
A citizen-led Lake Foundation proposal seeks conceptual county support to pursue a multiuse paved trail along County Road 16 connecting regional trail systems; county staff drafted a resolution that would allow the trail to 'occupy' the corridor without committing funds or condemnation authority.
Tim Bray, Crow Wing County engineer, presented a citizen-led initiative by the Lake Foundation to pursue a regional, multiuse trail along County Road 16 connecting local networks and the Paul Bunyan Trail. Bray said the group compiled letters and resolutions from neighboring cities and townships and has sought DNR support to make grant applications feasible.
Bray emphasized the resolution before the committee is conceptual and intentionally drafted with guardrails so the county does not commit funds or exercise condemnation authority at this stage. "We're just saying, well, it can occupy the County Road 16 corridor, but we don't know if there's retaining wall needed or if there's property challenges," Bray said, and he added the resolution would preserve future boards' flexibility. Bray also said the envisioned paved trail would be ADA compliant as sections are scoped and designed.
Commissioners discussed long timelines, local maintenance responsibilities and possible uses; several asked for careful language to avoid binding future boards to funding commitments and to preserve county review of specific plans and any right-of-way impacts. The committee indicated support for bringing the resolution forward with guardrails and placing it on the consent agenda for board consideration in the coming weeks.
