Bikeways and Biking Trails

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New Bike Event in St. Cloud 

Stearns County Bikeway Plan

The Stearns County Parks Department is in the process of updating the 1996 Bikeway Plan. We are taking an inventory of all county roads with shoulder widths of four feet minimum in hopes of creating a map of the county. 

Rails with Trails Feasibility Study-Wobegon/ROCORI Trails
Cover and Table of Contents
A.  Introduction
B.  Project Understanding
C.  Previous Planning
D.  Guidlines, Standards
E.  Lake Wobegon Trail Extension
F.   Rocori Trail Extension
G.  Priorities
Appendix A
     Map A   (2.48 MB pdf file)
     Map B   (2.64 MB pdf file)  
     Map C   (2.58 MB pdf file)
     Map D   (2.19 MB pdf file)    
 
Appendix B

2010 Bikeway Plan:

Table of Contents, Introduction and Objectives 
Research
Proposed Plan
Exhibit 1 
Survey Form
Exhibit II-County roads shoulder width data
Exhibit III-Comprehensive Plan Map
Exhibit IV-Bikeway design selection tables
Exhibit V-5-Year plan
Exhibit VI-2010 Bikeway Plan
Bibliography
Resolution

Past Plans

  • 1977, Created due to increased bicycle usage.  Briefly describes areas where bikeways should be located.
  • 1985, Update of 1977 plan, (1MB pdf file) incorporated blacktopping of road shoulders. 
  • 1989, The use of abandoned rail corridors for bikeways identified in Stearns County Comprehensive Plan.
  • 1996, The use of active and abandoned rail corridors for bikeways identified in Bikeway Plan.
  • 2007 Updated plan

What is a Bikeway Plan?

  1. A guiding document.
  2. States county goals.
  3. Correlates with Stearns County Comprehensive Plan.
  4. Promotes safe bicycle facilities throughout the County of Stearns.
  5. Outlines projects completed, under construction, and being planned.

Bicycling in Stearns County

Local government survey, sent fall 2007 by Parks Dept. to all cities and townships in Stearns County.

  • Expressed need for bike facilities.
    Little opposition
    # 47% interested in more bike facilities.
    MN Outdoor Recreation Survey, 2004
  • Sent to cities, counties and schools
    #1 need: Trail facilities
    Stearns County Public Survey, 2006
  • 14% would like to see more walking and biking facilities.
    64% believe the county has provided enough conveniently located trails.
    St. Cloud Area Planning Organization
  • Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
    Bike interest group formed to address bikeway concerns in the metro area.
    Projects

Lake Wobegon Regional Trail (completion dates)

  • 1998, Avon to Sauk Centre
  • 2003, Albany to Holdingford and Avon to St. Joseph
  • 2005, Holdingford to Stearns/Morrison County line
  • 2007, Sauk Centre to Osakis – connection to Central Lakes Trail
  • Future, St. Joseph to Mississippi River

Rocori Trail (in progress)
Richmond to Rockville
Future, connection to Glacial Lakes Trail and St. Joseph/Wobegon Trail

Beaver Island Trail (St. Cloud)
Currently, St. Cloud Civic Center to 33rd St. S.
Future, 33rd St. S. to Warner Lake County Park

More Future Projects:

Dairyland Trail  (formerly Soo Line)
Open gravel trail

For more information please use the above contact information or call 320-255-6172.
or email:   parkinfo@co.stearns.mn.us