StagecoachStagecoach StateState TrailTrail MasterMaster PlanPlan MinnesotaMinnesota DepartmentDepartment ofof NaturalNatural ResourcesResources ParksParks andand TrailsTrails DivisionDivision MarchMarch 20122012 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Trails Division would like to thank all who participated in this master planning process. Numerous individuals and groups in local communities throughout the search corridor have been working for many years to help establish this trail. Assistance and leadership from the Dodge County Trail Association (DCTA), the Olmsted County Stagecoach Trail Study Group, Steele County and City of Owatonna staff was greatly appreciated. Many other DNR staff, city and county officials, trail association members and local citizens contributed their time and energy to the planning process as well. This Master Plan was prepared by: Diane K. Anderson, Principal Planner March 2012, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is available to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, age, sexual orientation, membership or activity in a local commission, or disability. Discrimination inquiries should be sent to MN-DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4031; or the Equal Opportunity Office, Department of the Interior, Washington DC 20240. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 651-296-6157 (Metro Area) or 1-888-MINNDNR (MN Toll Free) or Telecommunication Device for the Deaf/TTY: 651- 296-5484 (Metro Area) or 1-800-657-3929 (Toll Free TTY). For general information regarding DNR’s programs, contact: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us 651-296-6157 (Metro area and outside Minnesota) 1-888-MINNDNR (MN Toll Free) TDD: 651-296-5485 (Metro Area) TDD: 1-800-657-3929 (MN Toll Free) Cover photo credits (top to bottom): Stagecoach (Sonja Miedtke); State Trail users (MN DNR); 3rd Minnesota Re-Enactors Spring Muster, 2009, Marching to Wasioja Seminary (Mantorville Chamber of Commerce); Bicycle Club in front of Hubbell House, ca. 1880 (Dodge County Historical Society and the Hubbell House). Stagecoach State Trail Master Plan Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Trails March, 2012 Stagecoach State Trail Master Plan Table of Contents Executive Summary - Stagecoach State Trail Master Plan ................................................................ ES1 Section 1: Planning Process, Purpose and Scope..................................................................................1 Planning Process, Purpose and Scope .................................................................................................... 1 Master Plan Process Flowchart ................................................................................................................ 2 Legislative Authorization ........................................................................................................................... 3 Vision and Goals for the Stagecoach State Trail ...................................................................................... 8 Section 2: Summary of Recommended Trail Uses ................................................................................9 Section 3: Trail Alignment and Development .................................................................................... 12 Overview of the Trail Alignment .............................................................................................................. 12 Segment 1: Douglas State Trail (Rochester) to Olmsted-Dodge County Border .................................. 14 Description of the trail environment .................................................................................................... 14 Criteria for Trail Alignment .................................................................................................................. 15 Trail Alignment Options ....................................................................................................................... 15 Local Trail and Park Connections ....................................................................................................... 15 Trail Access – Parking Areas, Rest Areas and Interpretive Sites ....................................................... 16 Communities and Connections ........................................................................................................... 18 Segment 2: Olmsted – Dodge County Border to Mantorville ................................................................. 25 Description of the Alignment and Landscape ..................................................................................... 25 Criteria for Trail Alignment .................................................................................................................. 25 Trail Alignment Options ....................................................................................................................... 25 Trail Access – Parking Areas, Rest Areas and Interpretive Sites ....................................................... 26 Communities and Connections ........................................................................................................... 28 Segment 3: Mantorville to Wasioja ........................................................................................................ 31 Description of the Alignment and Landscape ..................................................................................... 31 Criteria for Trail Alignment .................................................................................................................. 31 Trail Alignment Options ....................................................................................................................... 31 Trail Access – Parking Areas, Rest Areas and Interpretive Sites ....................................................... 32 Communities and Connections ........................................................................................................... 35 Segment 4: Wasioja to Dodge Center ................................................................................................... 37 Description of the Alignment and Landscape ..................................................................................... 37 Criteria for Trail Alignment .................................................................................................................. 37 Trail Alignment Options ....................................................................................................................... 37 Trail Access – Parking Areas, Rest Areas and Interpretive Sites ....................................................... 38 Communities and Connections ........................................................................................................... 40 Segment 5: Dodge Center to Claremont ................................................................................................ 41 Description of the Alignment and Landscape ..................................................................................... 41 Criteria for Trail Alignment .................................................................................................................. 41 Trail Alignment Options ....................................................................................................................... 41 Trail Access – Parking Areas, Rest Areas and Interpretive Sites ....................................................... 41 Communities and Connections ........................................................................................................... 43 Segment 6: Claremont to Rice Lake State Park .................................................................................... 44 Description of the Alignment and Landscape ..................................................................................... 44 Criteria for Trail Alignment .................................................................................................................. 44 Trail Alignment Options ....................................................................................................................... 44 Trail Access – Parking Areas, Rest Areas and Interpretive Sites ....................................................... 45 Communities and Connections ........................................................................................................... 47 Segment 7: Rice Lake State Park to Owatonna ..................................................................................... 49 Description of the Alignment and Landscape ..................................................................................... 49 Criteria for Trail Alignment .................................................................................................................. 49 Trail Alignment Options ....................................................................................................................... 49 Trail Access – Parking Areas, Rest Areas and Interpretive Sites ....................................................... 49 Communities and Connections ..........................................................................................................