2 Winter Use Permit LRT TrailClTYOF
590 CiO, Center Dri~z
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317
Phone
952.937.1900
General Fax
952. 937. 5739
Engi, eeri,g Department tax
952. 937. 9152
Building Deparm~ent Fax
952. 934.2524
Site
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
Park & Recreation Commission
Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director
DATE:
September 18, 2001
SUB J:
Recommendation to Submit Application to the Suburban
Hennepin Regional Park District for a 2001-2002 Winter Use
Permit Authorizing Snowmobile Use on the South LRT Trail
Attached please find a letter from Sue Woodrich, Director of Park and Trail
Operations at Hennepin Parks, inquiring as to the City's interest in applying for
a winter use permit for the Southern Light Rail Transit LRT Trail. The City has
applied for and received a permit for snowmobile use on this trail annually since
1994. The Chanhassen Snowmobile Club assists the City in maintaining this
trail by signing and grooming the trail each season. To date, citizen concerns
over this use have been virtually non-existent while at the same time the
snowmobling public enjoys a nice trail experience.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Commission recommend the City Council submit an
application to the Suburban Hennepin Regional Park District for use of the
southern LRT trail located in Chanhassen as a designated snowmobile trail.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter from Sue Woodrich dated August 20, 2001
2. Application
3. Chanhassen Snowmobile Rules & Regulations
g:\park\thXsouth Irt permit.doc
August 20, 2001
PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP THROUGH RECREATION
AND EDUCATION IN A NATURAL RESOURCES-BASED PARK SYSTEM
Todd Hoffman, Director~ Parks & Recreation
City of Chanhassen
690 Coulter
Chanhassen, MN 55317
District Headquarters · 12615 County Road 9 · Plymouth, MN 55441-1299
Telephone 763/559-9000 · TDD 763/559-6719 · Fax 763/559-3287
www. hennepinparks.org · an ~qual opportunity employer
CITY OF Ct-itqt~t~$$EtV
Dear Todd:
Since 1993, the Suburban Hennepin Regional Park District has required a Winter Use
Permit for those cities that have bordered the Southwest LRT regional trail and desire to
use the trail during the xvinter months. Recently there have been numerous regional trails
added to the Park District, some which are located within your community. In order to be
consistent with the operating plan which was established in 1993, we are forwarding the
Winter Use Permit to your community.
The Winter Use Permit ultimately authorizes your City to utilize the section of trail for
the use you request. Permitted activities are determined by individual communities,
contingent upon approval from the Park District's Board of Commissioners. Please note
that permit requests should be submitted to Ann Bassett, Administrative Assistant, and
include verification of formal City Council action approving the proposed activities (a
copy of appropriate meeting minutes) and a Certificate of Insurance, naming Suburban
Hennepin Regional Park District as an additional named insured. Please contact your
insurance carrier to provide us with an updated copy. Coverage will need to show
inclusive dates from November 15, 2001 and March 31, 2002. Please include proposed
rules and regulations for winter use, as well.
Enclosed is an application for the 2001-2002 Winter Use Permit. Please determine the
level of winter use you are requesting, fill out the application form and follow the
procedures outlined above. If your community does not plan to authorize any winter use
activities, please indicate (none) in the box at the top of the permit and return this form so
that the trail can be signed as CLOSED, by order of your city council.
If you have questions regarding this, please contact me at 763-559-6701. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Sue Woodrich
Director, Park and Trail Operations
Co
Douglas F. Bryant, Superintendent
Don DeVeau, Development Administrator
Boo Carlson, Trails Coordinator
Oh l/1pt/regional winter use permit/ne~v cities.01-02
OP
tlelp Keep snowmobiling Alive in
Chanhasscn. Join us at:
Chan Legion
At 7:30PM
Every 2nd Tue.. of the month
IIELP KEEP OUR TRAIL SYSTEM OPEN
THINK SNOW
The Chanhassen Public Safety Department has received numerous complaints about snowmobiles being operated illegally. We
wish to remind Chanhassen residents of the following ordinance regulating snowmobile operation:
IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO OPERATE A SNOWMOBILE:
!. BEFORE DECEMBER lsT. ON ANY STATE OR GRANT AND AID TRAIL SYSTEM.
ON A PUBLIC SIDEWALK OR WALKWAY PROVIDED OR USED FOR PEDESTRIAN TRAVEL, OR ON A
BOULEVARD WITHIN ANY PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY:
A. THIS MEANS YOU CANNOT RIDE ON THE CURB OF KERBER BOULEVARD OR ANY OTHER CURB,
YOU MUST RIDE ON THE STREET.
ON PRIVATE PROPERTY OF ANOTHER WITHOUT LAWFUL AUTItORITY OR EXPRESS CONSENT OF TIdE
OWNER OR LESSEE.
4.
ON THE LRT (THE. ABANDON RAIL ROAD BED BETWEEN CHANHASSEN AND CHASKA) BEFORE 7:00AM
& AFTER 7:00PM. THE SPEED LIMIT ON TltlS ri'RAIL IS 30 MPH.
ON ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCItOOL GROUNDS EXCEPT AS PERMISSION IS EXPRESSLY OBTAINED
FROM RESPONSIBLE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES:
A. CHANHASSEN ELEMENTARY SCItOOL PROPERTY AND THE PROPERTY NORTH OF CHAN CITY
HAI.L ARE OFF LIMITS.
B. ON ANY PUBLICLY OWNED LANDS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PARK PROPERTY,
PLAYGROUNDS, RECREATION AREAS AND GOLF COURSES UNLESS AUTHORIZED FOR SUCH USE
BY THE PROPER PUBLIC AUTHORITY:
C. YOU CANNOT RIDE IN LAKE ANN PARK EXCEPT ON TIlE DESIGNATED TRAIL.
6. TO TOW ANY PERSON OR THING ON A PUBLIC STREET OR HIGHWAY.
AT A SPEED GREATER THAN 10 MPH WITHIN 100 FEET OF ANY LAKESHORE, FISHERMAN, FISH OR 1CE
HOUSE, OR ANY SLIDING AREA OR SKATING RINK WHEN IN USE:
IN A MANNER AS TO CREATE A LOUD, UNNECESSARY OR UNUSUAL NOISE, WHICH DISTURBS, ANNOYS
OR INTERFERES WITH THE PEACE AND QUIET OF OTHER PERSONS.
ON WEST 78TM STREET, OR THE BOULEVARD OF WEST 78TM STREET. TO SUM IT UP, THE STREETS AND
THE TRAIl. SYSTEM IS THE ONLY LEGAL PLACES YOU CAN RIDE. THE ROAD BANKS OF KERBER
BOULEVARD, CITY PARKS AND PRIVATE PROPERTY ARE OFF LIMIT!!
IN ADDITION TO THE .ABOVE, NO SNOWMOBILE SItALL BE OPERATED ON STREETS OR HIGHWAYS AT A
SPEED EXCEEDING TEN (10) MILES PER HOUR. AT NO TIME MAY A SNOWMOBILE BE OPERATED WHEN
TllE OPERATION WOULD REASONABLY IN DANGER OTHER PERSONS OR PROPERTY. ORGANIZED
PATROLLING WILL BE TAKING PLACE TO ENFORCE THESE LAWS!!
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL: CHANHASSEN SNOWMOBILE MEMBERS: GREG ItAVLIK 937-5678
CHARLIE LITTFIN 937-8392 OR SCOTT TRUEMP! 949-7372 OR ATTEND CHANHASSEN SNOWMOBILE
ND
CLUB MEETINS EVERY 2 TUESDAY OF THE MONTIt AT 7:30 AT CItAN LEGION.
SUPPORT YOUR SPORT - JOIN YOUR LOCAL CLUB
HAPPY TRAILS
SUBURBAN HENNEPIN REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
REGIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM
2001-2002 W-INTER USE PERMIT
Name of City
Contact Person
Regional Trail From
Authorized 2001-2002 Winter Activities
City Hall Phone
Phone
to
Regional Trail From
Authorized 2001-2002 Winter Activities
to
Regional Trail From
Authorized 2001-2002 Winter Activities
to
Regional Trail From
Authorized 2001-2002 Winter Activities
to
Authorization is hereby requested from the Park District Board of Commissioners to use portions of the
Regional Trail Corridor for winter use activities between November 15, 2001 and March 31, 2002, as
determined by each municipality witl~in guidelines set forth herein on District property located within
individual City boundaries.
It is understood and agreed that approval from the Hermepin Parks Board of Commissioners is contingent
upon the following conditions:
The City will provide the Park District with a Certificate of Insurance, naming Hennepin Parks as an
additional named insured. Such certificate shall provide at least $1,000,000 aggregate or combined single
limit of general liability coverage for the requested winter use activities, with a maximum $10,000
deductible per claim.
The City agrees to maintain the trail, including, but not limited to, any plowing, sweeping, sanding,
packing, trash pick-up, and sign replacement, between November 15, 2001-March 31, 2002. The City
further agrees to immediately address all safety issues on or adjacent to trails.
The City will provide signage at locations approved by the Park District notifying the public of
authorized winter activities within its city limits; activities may include, but are not limited to, hiking,
biking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or pet walking. Winter use signs must be
installed by the City at designated locations prior to November 15, 2001 and removed by the City no
later than April 15, 2002. These signs are totally the responsibility of each municipality.
\WIASTER\SYS\Users\oh 1 \WPXLRTX2001 ~2002 winter trail use permit and letter. REVISED.doc
Snowmobiling is not allowed on asphalt trails. Permitted use for snowmobiles will be limited to direct
crossing and/or in areas where the snowmobile trail is kept from running on paved trails and bridges. If
snowmobiling is permitted, cities must take steps to keep snowmobiles from damaging paved trails,
bridges and other property.
· The City agrees to enforce rules and regulations established by the municipality as part of its request for
a Winter Use Permit.
The City agrees to repair all trail surface damage that occurs as a result of winter trail activities and/or
maintenance, including, but not limited to, bituminous/concrete repair, bridge deck repair, grading or
adding aggregate pursuant to guidelines established by the Park District.
· The City agrees that winter trail use will be available to all persons, regardless of residence.
Each City is required to submit its annual permit requests, including proposed rules and regulations,
by , after which the Park District may take up to 45 business days to process.
Each permit request must be submitted as a result of formal City Council action, with accompanying
verification, agreeing to the terms and conditions outlined by the Park District's Winter Use Permit. It
should be further understood that no winter activity will be allowed on segments of the Regional Trail
Corridor where municipalities do not request and receive permits.
The Park District reserves the right to terminate a permit at any time, if the conditions set forth herein are
not followed.
Signed: Date:
Title:
(Authorized Representative of the City)
\WIASTER\SYS\Users\ohl\WP~LRT~2001-2002 winter trail use permit and letter. REVISED.doc