LUVERNE LOOP TRAIL MASTER PLAN 12.08.2015 NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE CITY OF LUVERNE, MINNESOTA “Trails consolidate and connect communities, rather than encourage them to expand and fragment.” David Burwell, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 1997. Several Luverne Area Businesses have expressed support in the development of the Luverne Loop Plan. ii LUVERNE LOOP TRAIL MASTER PLAN ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This trail master plan could not Mike Davis, Luverne CVB Southwest Health & Human Services have been completed without the Gary Fisher, Luverne Public Schools State Representative Joe Schomacker intellectual, informational, strategic, Ryan Johnson, Luverne Public Schools Minnwest Bank operational, fi nancial, creative, and Darci Pap, Sanford Health Buffalo Ridge Insurance timeless ongoing energy and support Nancy Drenth, Sanford Health St. Catherine’s Church of the following people and groups. Marilyn Bloemendaal, LIFT Rock County Ministerial Association Gene Ashby, Trail Enthusiast Rock County Historical Society This list is by no means exhaustive, Preston VerMeer, Trail Enthusiast Prairie Rehabilitation as the master plan is a constantly Eugene Marshall, City Councilman Papik Motors evolving project with a rapidly Craig Oftedahl, Luverne Public Schools Rock County Fair Association expanding support network, but is meant to convey gratitude to the Acknowledgments: This Master Plan was adopted by the people, businesses, and entities that City of Luverne City Council on the 8th have shaped this plan into the form it is Blue Mounds State Park of December, 2015. today. LIFT Luverne Area Chamber & CVB Special thanks to the Planning Luverne Elementary School Committee Members: Luverne High School Luverne Hockey Association Holly Larson, Rivers, Trails and MN Department of Transportation Conservation Assistance Program, Minnesota Southern Railway National Park Service Minnesota Veterans Home Holly Sammons, EDA Director Resident/Councilman Aaker John Call, City Administrator Rock County John Stoffel, Public Works Director Rock County Opportunities Gary Kurth, City Engineer (DGR) Rotary Club Mark Sehr, County Engineer Sanford Jane Wildung-Lanphere, Luverne Area Senator Bill Weber Chamber & CVB Luverne Retail Marketing Group LUVERNE LOOP TRAIL MASTER PLAN iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY vii CHAPTER ONE 1 CHAPTER THREE 21 PURPOSE, VISION & GOALS BENEFITS OF TRAILS Purpose of the Plan 3 Benefi ts of Trails 23 Purpose of the Luverne Loop Trail 4 Community Development Tool 25 Background 5 The Luverne Loop Trail: Vision Statement 7 CHAPTER FOUR 27 The Luverne Loop Trail: Goals 8 RESOURCES INVENTORY Resources Inventory 29 CHAPTER TWO 9 Map of City Parks & Recreational Facilities 30 PLANNING CONTEXT Map of Tourism Infrastructure 32 & REGIONAL CONNECTIONS Map of Transportation Facilities 33 Luverne’s Vision as a Regional Trail Hub 9 Natural Resources Inventory 34 State and Regional Park & Trail Planning in Minnesota 12 Blue Mounds Trail and State Park 13 CHAPTER FIVE 39 Southwest Regional Trail Corridor Plan 15 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Sioux Falls MPO Bike Plan 17 Planning Process 41 Sioux Falls Bicycle Trail Master Plan 18 Public Input Summary 42 Casey Jones State Trail 19 Timeline Summary 43 Publications Summary 44 iv LUVERNE LOOP TRAIL MASTER PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER SIX 45 Goal Two: Trail Design 83 TRAIL DEVELOPMENT Goal Three: Trail Destination 85 Master Plan 47 Goal Four: Trail Amenities 86 Phase One 49 Goal Five: Health Promotion 89 Phase Two 51 Goal Six: Trail Destination 90 Phase Three 53 Goal Seven: Economic Development 92 Phases Four+ 55 Goal Eight: Management, Maintenance, and Monitoring 94 CHAPTER SEVEN 57 Goal Nine: Funding 96 TRAIL AMENITIES Redbird Field Trailhead Development 59 CHAPTER TEN 99 Creamery Pond Development 63 OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE Wayside Rest Areas 67 Trail Maintenance 101 Inspiration & Materials 69 Hard Surface Trail Maintenance Needs 102 Common Trailhead Maintenance Needs 104 CHAPTER EIGHT 73 Ecological Stewardship & Sustainability 105 TRAIL MARKETING & DESIGN STANDARDS CHAPTER ELEVEN 107 Logo & Design Standards 75 REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE Regional Signifi cance 109 CHAPTER NINE 77 IMPLEMENTATION APPENDIX 115 Implementation Plan 79 Goal One: Trail Development 80 LUVERNE LOOP TRAIL MASTER PLAN v vi LUVERNE LOOP TRAIL MASTER PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PURPOSE OF THE PLAN a more recent grassroots effort to for non-motorized recreation and This Master Plan serves several develop a trail along Poplar Creek transportation, to serve multiple uses purposes. It: that connects to the Blue Mounds for residents and visitors of all ages, • Guides the development of Trail. A team of bicycle enthusiasts, and to meet the criteria and standards the Luverne Loop trail; city staff, County staff, the Chamber for trails of regional signifi cance, as • Guides the improvement of of Commerce, the school district, LIFT specifi ed in the Greater Minnesota parks that will serve as trailheads representatives and other citizens has Regional Parks & Trails System Plan and and rest stops; been working to develop the trail and the Strategic Plan, and in MN Statute • Creates a prioritized this plan since 2013. 85.536, Subd. 6. action plan for trail 3. Trail Destination: Provide high development, management VISION STATEMENT quality, scenic and natural setting for and promotion; The Luverne Loop Trail, by linking to the the trail that offers a “destination” trail • Identifi es strategies to connect Blue Mounds Trail, provides residents experience. the Luverne Loop to state and and visitors of all ages with a safe, 4. Trail Amenities: Provide trail users regional trails; and natural place for healthy recreation with a high quality, unique experience • Meets master plan and transportation that connects by developing a trailhead and trail requirements for regional trail areas of interest throughout Luverne waysides, improving existing parks designation. and Rock County, and promotes along the trail, and by providing community development. interpretation and wayfi nding PURPOSE OF THE TRAIL information. The purpose of the Luverne Loop GOALS 5. Health Promotion: Encourage health Trail is to improve the quality of life The nine goals for the Luverne Loop and wellness among Luverne and Rock for Luverne residents by increasing Trail project are: County residents by promoting trail use. recreational opportunities, and to 1. Trail development: Develop a multi 6. Trail Destination: Develop Luverne increase Luverne’s appeal as a visitor use, hard surfaced trail, the Luverne into a trail destination through trail destination. Loop, that circumnavigates the city promotion and trail related community and incorporates the city portion of the development. BACKGROUND existing Blue Mounds Trail. 7. Economic Development: Use the trail as a catalyst for tourist-related This trail project grew out of the City’s 2. Trail Design: Design and develop economic development. 2010 strategic visioning process and the Luverne Loop Trail as a safe facility LUVERNE LOOP TRAIL MASTER PLAN vii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8. Management, Maintenance and • To a proposed regional trail from resources inventory was conducted. Monitoring: The City of Luverne will Sioux Falls to Jackson; Park, Recreation & Tourism Resources: manage and maintain the Luverne • To Sioux Falls’ trail and bikeway The City park system consists of 12 Loop Trail and the portion of the Blue system via the regional trail above, and parks totaling 67 acres. Redbird Field, Mounds Trail that is within the City limits • To a proposed trail to natural areas the planned Luverne Loop trailhead, and forms part of the Luverne Loop for on the Big Sioux River in Iowa. is part of the park complex that also a minimum of 20 years from the trail’s These trails are depicted in the includes City and Riverside Parks, opening date. Southwest Regional Trail Corridor Plan. totaling over 50 acres. 9. Funding: Utilize a variety of funding sources, including local, regional, BENEFITS Recreational facilities in or near state, federal and private grants and The benefi ts of trails are many; some Luverne include: the aquatics and donations to develop and manage highlights are: fi tness center, ice arena, Redbird Field, the Luverne Loop Trail and the related Health: Increased physical activity, Joe Roberts Field, the school sports strategies in this Plan. better health complex, Blue Mounds State Park, and Recreation: For people of all ages and Schoeneman County Park. Tourism PLANNING CONTEXT AND abilities, open all seasons, all daylight infrastructure, historical features, and REGIONAL CONNECTIONS hours other places of interest are listed. If all planned trails in the region are Transportation: Low-cost, safer places built, Luverne will be a hub for a for commuting or running errands Natural Resources: Existing data on regional trail system connecting three Economic: Effi cient use of park & rec several natural resource characteristics states. The Luverne Loop will connect: funding per user hour; tourism attractor of the trail corridor were gathered • Seven city parks, the school, the Quality of Life: Another way to “Love and assessed. The area in which it medical center, and multiple other the Life!” in Luverne is most diffi cult to fi nd a suitable trail public interest destinations in Luverne; Conservation: Connect people with corridor is the Phase 3 area east of the • Directly to and partially overlap with the land; Provide passageways for fairgrounds to the Rock River. This area the 6-mile Blue Mounds Trail, which wildlife contains several wetlands,