Trail Construction Updates & Tentative Schedule

History:
-July 13th; The trail was approved by Rochester Park Board!
-August 25th; Kiosk construction starts
-September; Attach roof to trailhead kiosk (late September)
-September: Begin preliminary clearing of brush with RASC volunteers
-September 23rd: trail work with Rochester Mountain Bike Team students, parents and coaches.
-Oct 5th/6th: big brush clearing day along the trail route with neighborhood volunteers. (Visit https://www.rasc-mn.org/trail-building If you would like to sign up for trail work reminders.)

Next Steps:
-October (ongoing): Prepare and smooth out trail surface or “tread”
-October TBD; Install bridges and boardwalks where needed
-TBD; Install directional signs and clean up the entry area

Trail Route Flagged (July)
The trail route was flagged according to its design as an opportunity to visualize the route on-site.

Kiosk Construction & Installation (August)
The trailhead kiosk partially constructed and installed to post trail work updates.

Initial Corridor Clearing & Manual Clearing
(September)
A first step of clearing the trail route is done with a Ditch Witch which uproots the abundant Buckthorn and Honeysuckle (First picture from 9-23-24). The second step is to manually remove the smaller growth and clean up the discarded brush (Second picture from end of work day 9-23-24).

More Corridor Clearing & Manual Clearing
(October)
Ongoing trail construction continues through October. The Ditch Witch clears the trail corridor then volunteers manually clean and shape the trail surface. Three volunteer days held on Sept 23rd, and October 5th & 6th with great results!

Thank you for your interest in our trail proposal for Northern Heights Park! Please scroll down to view the details of the concept plan with supporting document downloads. Over the past year, we have dedicated considerable effort to crafting a trail that ensures safety, enjoyment, and environmental responsibility for all.

Multi-Use

This trail will be accessible to various user types throughout the year, including cyclists, pedestrians, and those with four-legged companions. Safety measures have been incorporated, such as designated directions for different user types and the clearing of brush to ensure safe sight lines. No parking lots, bathrooms, or other facilities will be installed.
Designed To Official Minnesota Guidelines

Our concept plan has been developed under the supervision of Rochester Parks & Rec, adhering to guidelines set forth by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission. These guidelines encompass standards for trail slope, curvature, and density, ensuring the sustainability of the trail.
Free To Use

Like all trails constructed and maintained by RASC, this trail will be freely accessible to the general public, following Rochester Parks system rules. Notably, the construction and maintenance of this trail will be carried out by volunteers, resulting in no cost to taxpayers. The plan is designed to complement existing amenities, such as the baseball diamond and skating rink, while intentionally maintaining a considerable distance from residential areas.