8.1 SR 09-19-2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chapter 04 � Master Plan Segment 4: Princeton OVERVIEW Segment 4 starts at Rum River Drive and extends to 40th St north of Princeton. This segment is primarily urban and will take advantage of existing trails within Princeton, proposed on- street striped bike lanes, and proposed protected bike lanes within the public right of way. The city of Princeton provides dining and lodging amenities for trail users in downtown, as well as convenient access to the Great Northern Depot Museum. The Great Northern Depot is on the National Register of Historic Places and is the home of the Mille Lacs County Historical Society. The museum has regular guided tours that will connect trail users to the important history of the railroad, and how it organized and shaped the landscape as we know it today. TRAI LH EAD A trailhead is planned on the south side of Rum River Drive on the west side of Highway 169. Concept designs were developed to address some of these issues and can be found later in this chapter. BLUE TRAIL LOOP There is also an important connection to the Rum River at Riverside Park. The boat ramp at Riverside Park creates an opportunity for a blue trail loop utilizing the proposed Great Northern Trail via the boat launch in Milaca or east of Long Siding. For example, a trail user could drop their bikes off at Riverside Park, drive upstream to the launch east of Long Siding, or for a two-day float up to Milaca, and then float down to their bikes, where they could complete their loop on the Great Northern Trail. The Rum River is listed as a wild and scenic river and provides a truly natural scenic experience with two camping options between Princeton and Milaca. ROUTE ALTERNATES The plan also explored several alternative routes shown in dark purple that could be built in addition to the primary route. The alternates provide connections to additional amenities, such as restaurants in downtown Princeton, Walmart, and Coborn's grocery store. SEGEMENT 4 This segment exits the existing paved trail on original railroad grade and follows along the south side of Rum River Drive on the existing trail to cross under the overpass and continue on the existing trail that follows along the east side of Northland Blvd, just past Princeton High School Track where it would then turn north to connect along 11 th Avenue S, near Mark Park and continue north to 1 st Street. This option would bring trail users to the Princeton Depot and Mille Lacs County History Museum before continuing north to 2nd Street North and heading east along 2nd Street to South Rum River Drive to then head north along Rum River Drive, through the roundabout at Hwy 95 to continue along North Rum River Drive. This option continues along North Rum River Drive under US Hwy 169 to follow along the east side of Baptist Church Road to connect back to the original railroad grade along the west side of US Hwy 169. We do not anticipate that this option would require easement purchase of private property from willing sellers. 56 Great Northern Trail Master Plan � August 2022