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LAKE COUNTY MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL SYSTEM
Public Plan Review Meeting
May 25, 2016
OUTLINE
• About ARDC
• Project Scope of Work
• Project Process
• Plan Contents/Trail System Overview
• Q and A
www.arrowheadplanning.org/mtbLakeCounty
ABOUT ARDC
• The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC)…• Is one of 11 regional development organizations in
Minnesota
• Provides technical assistance to communities addressing community development, land use, transportation, housing, etc.
• Serves communities in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis Counties.
www.arrowheadplanning.org/mtbLakeCounty
PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK
• ARDC will…
• Complete a Lake County Mountain Bike Trail System Master Plan compliant with standards set forth by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Committee (a potential funder).
• Lead the County through a four-meeting process.
• Maintain a webpage that contains all information about the planning process.
• Develop summaries of all meetings and research requests.
• Create a detailed plan document that includes recommended action steps.
www.arrowheadplanning.org/mtbLakeCounty
PROJECT PROCESS
• Meeting 1: Project Setting & Vision
• Meeting 2: Stakeholder Input & Investment Development
• Meeting 3: Master Plan Draft
• Meeting 4: Finalize Master Plan
End Date: June 15, 2016
www.arrowheadplanning.org/mtbLakeCounty
PLAN CONTENTS
• Section 1: Introduction & Planning Context
• Section 2: Existing Facilities & Vision
• Section 3: Master Plan
• Development, Land Resources, Programming, Outreach and Marketing, Research, Implementation, and Maintenance and Operations Plans
• Section 4: Potential Funding Sources
www.arrowheadplanning.org/mtbLakeCounty
PLAN CONTENTS (Cont’d)
• Vision Statement• The Lake County Mountain Bike Trail System will be an international destination that features over
100 miles of purpose-built, user-maintained backcountry mountain bike trails in an inter-connected trail cluster network that are used in all seasons by people of all skill levels.
• Regional Significance Statement• The Lake County Mountain Bike Trail System is a planned 100+ mile purpose-built mountain bike
trail system utilizing multiple areas of County-owned land located in southern Lake County. Featuring vistas of Lake Superior and within 30 miles of five state parks, other recreational trails, and the City of Duluth, the mountain bike trail system will serve as a high-quality recreation and tourism destination expanding economic opportunity and showcasing recreational opportunities in a backcountry setting.
www.arrowheadplanning.org/mtbLakeCounty
PLAN CONTENTS (Cont’d)
• Development Plan
• Primary Site: Split Rock Wilds
• Secondary Sites: Alger North, Alger South, Lake County Demonstration Forest, and Reeves Road
• Additional Trail Features: Lake County Traverse, Trailhead Facilities, Trailside Campsites, Trail Signage
>>See: Map Presentation
www.arrowheadplanning.org/mtbLakeCounty
PLAN CONTENTS (Cont’d)
• Land Resources Plan
• Intentionally design trails for mountain biking.
• Utilize IMBA trail-building resources and standards.
• Introduce trail signage to mitigate impact near trails.
www.arrowheadplanning.org/mtbLakeCounty
Example of Trail Signage at Cuyuna Mountain Bike Trails
PLAN CONTENTS (Cont’d)
• Programming Plan• Mountain Bike Events
• Trailside Camping
• High School Programming
• Mountain Bike and Bike Safety Education
• Interpretive Signage
• I Can Mountain Bike!
• Winter Fat-Tire Biking
www.arrowheadplanning.org/mtbLakeCounty
Courtesy: Cook County News Herald/Laurie Johnson
PLAN CONTENTS (Cont’d)
• Outreach and Marketing Plan
• Establish a network of trail system support (i.e. businesses, non-profits, municipalities, tourism agencies).
• Develop a multimedia-friendly brand and distribute both online (social media and webpages) and in print (pamphlets and newspaper ads).
• Extend cross-promotion at existing large events in Lake County (i.e. Grandma’s Marathon).
• Develop and distribute quality mapping of the trail system.
www.arrowheadplanning.org/mtbLakeCounty
PLAN CONTENTS (Cont’d)
• Research Plan
• Visitor Counts
• Site Intercept Surveys
• Trail Counter Use at System Entrances
www.arrowheadplanning.org/mtbLakeCounty
2015 Gitchi-Gami State Trail Counts
PLAN CONTENTS (Cont’d)
• Implementation Plan
• Identify opportunities for mountain bike trail development. | Completed 2015
• Develop overall plan for trail development. | Completed 2016
• Outline potential trail corridors in ‘other’ sites. | 2017-2018
• Develop trails at Split Rock Wilds. | 2017-2026+
• Develop trails at ‘other’ sites, traverse trail, trailside campsites. | 2019-2026+
• Identify additional development opportunities. | 2026+
www.arrowheadplanning.org/mtbLakeCounty
PLAN CONTENTS (Cont’d)
• Maintenance and Operations Plan
• Mitigate ecological impacts of trails by ensuring purpose-built designs and regular maintenance.
• Establish a local bike club or volunteer network to upkeep trails.
• Consider purchase of grooming equipment to accommodate winter riding.
• Establish policies and regulations dealing with use of the trails and campsites.
• Consider the need to hire individuals to coordinate expanded facilities maintenance.
www.arrowheadplanning.org/mtbLakeCounty
Q AND A
www.arrowheadplanning.org/mtbLakeCounty
ANDY HUBLEY
REGIONAL PLANNING DIVISION DIRECTOR
ARROWHEAD REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
218.529.7512
RUSSELL HABERMANN
ASSOCIATE PLANNER
ARROWHEAD REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
218.529.7552