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<br />Park & Recreation Commission Minutes <br />November 7, 1990 <br /> <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Mr. Ring-Jarvi presented a letter from the Lion's Club which indicated <br />that they supported the creation and maintenance of cross country ski <br />trails in Lion's Community Park. This letter was dated November 7, <br />1990, and was from Mr. Wally Fox, Secretary of the Lion's Club. Phil <br />Hals indicated that developing these trails in Lion's Park could be <br />done with limited time and effort by the City park crew. The Park and <br />Recreation Commission supported the development of these trails. <br /> <br />4.1 <br /> <br />City Trails and Horses <br /> <br />Dave Anderson stated that he has talked to a number of horse owners in <br />the area of the Woodland Trails Park and discussed the issue of the <br />trails being used and/or damaged by horses and the fact that the trails <br />were developed specifically for cross country skiing. Dave indicated <br />that he asked some of the horse owners to come to this Park and <br />Recreation Commission meeting to discuss the issue. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Joe St. Dennis, who lives in the Greenhead Addition north of County <br />Road #33, stated that horse owners have used Woodland Trails Park in <br />the past and have used the abandoned railroad trail extensively for <br />over five years. Mr. St. Dennis indicated that the Commission must <br />address the needs of the horse owners in the area and consider the <br />development of trails which are used for multiple purposes. Multi-use <br />trails is consistent with DNR policy and makes for the best use of the <br />available land for recreational purposes. The horse owners have no <br />desire to use the trails during the winter season as this is unsafe <br />footing for the horses; however, Mr. St. Dennis indicated that the <br />trails could be used during non-winter seasons in conjunction with <br />hiking and walking uses. <br /> <br />The Commission discussed the issue of erosion on the trails due to <br />horses using them and the issue of horse manure causing problems for <br />citizens using the area for hiking and walking. <br /> <br />Rose Allison stated that her daughter is a member of the Minnesota High <br />School Rodeo Club and has used the area for working with her horses. <br />She indicated that there are at least 41 horse riders wi thin the area <br />and supports the multi-use of the City parks and trails. <br /> <br />Mr. Ron Niziolek stated that the cross country ski club has put in a <br />lot of work and effort in developing the trails and felt that horse <br />riding would damage the trails. He indicated that this is a small park <br />and horse riding in the area is not appropriate. <br /> <br />Grace Ostom, Concord Street, indicated that the area is a public park <br />and should be used for all public purposes. Furthermore, the City <br />should develop and maintain the trail system and not have the ski club <br />develop the trails and "assume" ownership. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Sue Deleano indicated that she owns a horse and lives in the City area <br />of Elk River. She indicated that her only way out of the area is to <br />use the railroad trail and requested that the City open up the use of <br />the entire railroad trail to horses. <br />