Otter Tail County moves Glacial Edge Trail segment into planning phase

Otter Tail County will use state grant funds and Legacy Amendment sales-tax dollars to support design work on a section of the Glacial Edge Trail. The move launches a planning-phase effort that, if carried through, would extend the county’s network of paved recreation routes and link downtown Fergus Falls to riverfront access and regional trail systems.

County planning documents define the Glacial Edge Trail as four segments - south, central, north central and far north. The Central Segment is described as a 3.75-mile stretch intended to bring trail users to the Otter Tail River riverfront and to downtown Fergus Falls attractions. Much of that segment is planned as an off-road path; where it runs through denser urban corridors the plan calls for separate bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Along Vernon Avenue the design envisions on-road bike lanes and existing sidewalks, and at Washington Avenue the trail would continue as a multi-use path adjacent to the roadway to Veteran’s Memorial Park.

The planning-level design also includes two routing options between the Central-Wright Dam and Stanton Avenue; both options involve a new bicycle/pedestrian river crossing. The River Walk pedestrian path along the south side of the Otter Tail River would be upgraded to 10-ft widths where possible. One railroad crossing is identified for the described segment at Sheridan Street south of Junius Avenue. A spur from Cascade Street along Hwy 210 to Pebble Lake Road would link users to the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, where trails meander through restored wetlands, and would connect at two points to the North Country Trail while providing access to Pebble Lake Road businesses.

This planning step follows recent trail investments in the county. The Heart of the Lakes Trail, a separate regional project, will stretch 13 miles from Pelican Rapids to Perham and passes through Maplewood State Park. The McDonald Segment of that trail was constructed as a 10-foot-wide multi-use trail connecting Perham to Maplewood State Park, and past project reports say Otter Tail County “was able to create a multi-modal trail corridor by construction of the McDonald Segment of the Heart of the Lakes Regional Trail. This 10 foot wide multi-use trail connects the city of Perham to Maplewood State Park and thus enhances the outdoor recreational opportunities of county residents and visitors.” Maplewood State Park drew more than 154,000 visitors in 2017, underscoring the tourism value of better trail access.

County planning materials show attention to public involvement: project consultants and city staff “facilitated a robust community engagement process,” and county leaders have presented plans at public open houses to solicit feedback and alternatives. The current announcement does not include details on the exact Glacial Edge segment being funded for design, the name of the state grant program, dollar amounts, or the design schedule. Those specifics will determine whether the design work feeds directly into construction timelines and which neighborhoods will see near-term changes.

For residents, the design phase means maps and drawings are likely to appear and public input opportunities should return. If the county follows past practice of visible signage and phased construction, neighbors can expect sponsor signs at work sites and staged progress through the segments. The next steps are confirmation of the grant details, publication of a design schedule, and county notices of community meetings where routing, crossings and accessibility features will be finalized.