Trail will be signed to let people know of future use

Posted 1/3/01

Trail will be signed to let people know of future use

By MaryHelen Swanson

The Chisago County Commissioners, Dec. 20, agreed to install signs along the Sunrise Prairie Trail to let people know that it is a county-provided trail and that it is preserved for future transportation needs.

According to Commissioner Bob Vande Kamp, Washington County would like signage running all the way up the trail. While Commissioner Tom Delaney thought the signage was a good idea, he also stressed that neither Washington County nor Ramsey County would drive what Chisago County does.

ěItís our project,î he said.

Commissioner Vande Kamp clarified that he was not being driven by Washington County in bringing up the sign issue, but that it had been discussed last summer by the board.
Delaney also said he didnít want white metallic signs along the trail, but a wooden sign that would blend into the surroundings. Commissioner Jim Thorn agreed.

The wordage, agreed upon by the commissioners, would be, ěThis trail is provided by Chisago County. It is built on County Regional Railroad Authority property which will be preserved for future transportation needs.î

A phone number will be included on the sign if anyone would like questions answered.

Vande Kamp said it would be a disservice to the county and homebuyers along the trail if they did not let them know of the countyís intention for the future use of the preserved corridor.
The rail bed and right of way was purchased by the county in 1990 with the direct purpose of preserving it for transportation needs of the future. The recreational trail was established and completed in 1998 to allow county residents to use it until the time it is needed for transportation purposes which the commissioners anticipated would be a significant number of years away.

Commissioner Ben Montzka would not support the motion to have signs placed along the trail.
He said he applauded the county for taking the action to preserve the trail 10 years ago, not because it was preserved for future transportation, but because it provided something for health and livability. When and if it is used for transportation, he said, he will regret it.

Commissioner Bob Gustafson said he always wants it to be a bike/hike trail, but maybe in the future it could co-exist with commuter rail, if it comes.

Commissioner Delaney stressed that it would never be the light rail that is being discussed by the metro counties, but it could possibly be commuter rail that would come into the county. However, he said currently the talks are focusing on a type of bus service, and other ways to get people down to the cities.
The number of wooden signs and placement will be determined by the county highway department.