8 Trail Connector Study C /OF
690 City Center Drive
PO Bo.,: 147
Minnesota 55317
Phone
952.937.1900
General Fax
952.937.5739
Ftlx
952.937.9152
Buildi,g Deparnne, t F~r
952.934.2524
l~b Site
'u,u,. ci. chmdsasse,. ,m. us
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
FROM:
DATE:
Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director
January 7, 2002
SUB J:
Receive Trail Connector Study Report--TH 5 at Bluff Creek,
TH 5 at Riley Creek, TH 101 South from Lake Susan Drive to
Bandimere Park
On October 22, 2001, the City Council ordered the preparation of a feasibility
study for three trail connectors in the City. Two of these connectors, TH 5 at
Bluff Creek and TH 5 at Riley Creek, are needed to make final connection to the
new Highway 5 underpass system and new West 78th Street trail. The third
connector, TH 101 South from Lake Susan Drive to Bandimere Park, connects
the city's southern neighborhoods to our core city, and allows access to
Bandimere Community Park from the north. Trails remain the highest rated
recreation amenity in our community.
Bonestoo & Associates, under the direction of Phil Gravel, has completed the
attached Study Report for these proposed 2002 trail connections. Staff is
pleased with the study results and happy to report that the budget estimates
included in the 2002 CIP are on target. Three alignment options for both the
Bluff Creek Connection and Riley Creek Connection were studied. It was the
conclusion of Bonestroo & Associates that the combined option for Bluff Creek
and the Audubon Road option for Riley Creek were preferable. Staff concurs
with this recommendation. Only one option for the Highway 101 South
connection was studied.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council receive the 2002 Trail Connection
Project Study Report for TH 5 at Bluff Creek, TH 5 at Riley Creek, and TH 101
South from Lake Susan Drive to Bandimere Park and schedule a public
comment period for January 28th. Property owners adjoining these projects will
be mailed an information packet upon the City Council's acceptance of the
Study Report.
g:\park\thXstudy report.doc