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Great Northern Trail Master Plan | August 202250 <br />Chapter 04 | Master Plan <br />OVERVIEW <br />Segment 1 starts at Lions Park in Zimmerman, <br />the terminus of the existing Great Northern Trail. <br />Bike trails are planned to connect Lions Park to <br />a larger trail network in Zimmerman, connecting <br />the Great Northern Trail to nearby schools and <br />neighborhoods. An overpass is being designed <br />at Fremont Ave and Highway 169, providing <br />a grade separated pedestrian connection <br />from Zimmerman to Grams regional park and <br />neighborhoods around Fremont Lake. This <br />segment will provide access to historic downtown <br />Zimmerman and amenities for trail users. A rapid <br />flashing beacon crossing is proposed at 273rd <br />Ave. <br />TRAILHEAD <br />A trailhead is planned in this location, concept <br />designs for the trailhead can be found later in <br />this chapter. The trailhead was sized to provide <br />additional parking for future park and ride users. <br /> SEGEMENT 1A <br />This route proposes to follow the former Great <br />Northern rail grade north from Main Street <br />into the downtown area using the 2nd Street <br />East right of way. A crossing of County State <br />Aid Highway (CSAH) 4 or Fremont Avenue is <br />required at the 2nd Street East intersection to <br />access city-owned former rail grade and continue <br />north through the city. The route proposes to <br />utilize existing Great Northern rail grade through <br />a privately owned oak woodlot and wetland <br />complex, crossing over the wetland on an existing <br />railroad bridge and continuing northward on <br />the former rail grade. This option would require <br />easement purchase of private property from <br />willing sellers. <br />SEGEMENT 1B <br />This route proposes to follow the former Great <br />Northern rail grade north from Main Street into <br />the downtown area using 2nd Street East right of <br />way. A crossing of CSAH 4 or Fremont Avenue is <br />required at the 2nd Street East intersection and <br />following Fremont Avenue to CH 45, then follows <br />CH 45 northward along trail to be constructed <br />along the east side of CH 45 right of way. This <br />segment has a ¾ mile gap in public ownership <br />that crosses five privately owned parcels. The <br />largest parcel has an old RR crossing with <br />dramatic sweeping views of a prairie clearing. <br />The surrounding forest provides a natural <br />setting with mature oaks and a high quality trail <br />experience. Two property owners expressed <br />concern with this trail alignment due to the <br />proximity of their horse pasture and septic field. <br />Segment 1: ZimmermanSegment 1: Zimmerman <br />HISTORIC PHOTO: ZIMMERMAN DEPOT, 1906 HISTORIC PHOTO: FREMONT STREET