Diamond Lake Regional Trail

February 28, 2020 by

Over the past several months, Three Rivers Park District has been working with Medina and other communities to collect feedback on the master plan for the Diamond Lake Regional Trail (DLRT). This master plan contemplates a future north-south regional trail in western Hennepin County, including potentially through Medina.

Establishing a master trail plan with identified preferred routes will help local officials secure the land for the trail as development occurs over several years or decades. The Diamond Lake Regional trail will be constructed in segments over the course of many years as development occurs and land can be secured along the trail route.

In response to the public feedback and the direction of the Medina City Council, Three Rivers is no longer evaluating any regional trail options which would extend south of the Hamel Road right-of-way in Medina.

The Medina City Council and Park Commission have requested that Three Rivers Park District instead study and seek public comments on alternative routes in the northern portion of the City.  The routes currently under consideration are on this map for quick reference.

The City Council and Park Commission desire to collect feedback and gage support for a regional trail which could serve the growing and more densely populated neighborhoods of northeast Medina with a paved, multi-use trail for walking, running, biking and in-line skating.

The regional trail would be envisioned to provide a grade-separated crossing over Highway 55 and provide a connection to Baker Park Reserve.  Along Hamel Road, the trail would be adjacent to the roadway and predominantly be located within right-of-way.

Next Steps from Public Engagement

All community feedback from the public engagement period on alternative routes in the northern portion of the City have been put into one comprehensive summary for Park Commission and City Council review and consideration, which can be found in the linked Park Commission report below.  Staff will be sharing the results of the planning efforts to the Park Commission at its regular meeting on May 19, 2021 and the City Council at its regular meeting on June 1, 2021. The City Council will continue their discussion on the Diamond Lake Regional Trail at the June 15, 2021 meeting.

Regular Meeting of City Council:  Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 7:00 PM

Virtual Meeting Link:  Click here to join the meeting

For telephone audio only:  Dial 1-612-517-3122; Enter Conference ID: 632 071 137#

Park Commission Meeting information from May 19, 2021 Meeting

Online (interactive map, message board, email at https://www.letstalkthreerivers.org/diamond-lake-regional-trail-master-plan) (comment period closed on May 12th)

Questions on the project, email DLRT@threeriversparks.org or call Stephen Shurson, Three Rivers Project Manager, at 763-559-6766

Information from Past Meetings regarding this topic (the original proposed trail routes south of Hamel Road in the meeting information below are no longer being considered):

 

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