News & Project Updates

GBCTA participated for the second time in the St. Paul Classic Bike Tour Eco-Fair, a gathering of outdoor and environmental nonprofit displays. More than two thousand bicyclists rode this year, and they and their friends relaxed at the Eco-Fair after the morning ride. Those who stopped to chat were interested in learning more about the trail and future extensions to the Gateway Trail.

Wish you'd taken the ride? Not to worry - there's another great ride coming up in a few weeks. The third annual Twin Cities Bike Tour will take place on Saturday, October 10, with 24-, 32-, or 50-mile options along the Mississippi River in St Paul, the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis, and Minnehaha Parkway among the routes. The Tour is organized by the nonprofit BikeMN/Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota and supports their efforts to promote active transportation initiatives across the state. Check it out and register at https://www.bikemn.org/all-events/tcbt/.

As you enjoy lovely autumn days on the trails, there are also many opportunities to check out a variety of local art. Click here to learn more about the many art events happening throughout the month of September and into early October: Take Me to the River

Washington County designated $2.9 million of the $17 million in state funding that was awarded to the county this year for construction of a trailhead and connection to the Brown's Creek Trail. The trailhead will be located on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5 (Stonebridge Trail) and will include a paved trail connection directly to the main Brown's Creek Trail. Construction dates are not yet set. - More to come.

Washington County continues to pursue new trails that connect to existing trails, parks, and community resources. You can learn more about what is in the works at: Middle St Croix Valley to Phalen-Keller Regional Trail

The Brown's Creek Trail is again fully open. Construction teams have completed the work that blocks the trail. There is ongoing work within the gully, but the trail itself will not be impacted. Thank you for your patience.

Browns Creek State Trail between Hazel Street and Stonebridge Trail will be closed intermittently throughout June 2026 for culvert repairs.

The contractor plans to keep the trail open nightly but expects periodic daytime closures.

When I was last on the Trail, April 29th, while checking bluebird houses, I saw the most interesting thing.  In a pond on the northern part of the trail, two big trumpeter swans were digging in the shallow pond mud with their long necks, and stirring up vegetation.  Two beautiful little wood ducks were alongside nibbling on what vegetation floated up to the surface. Pretty neat encounter.  I thought that they were just feeding.  I snapped a couple photos and moved on.  

Our next ride on the trail was Mother’s Day, May 11th, or 10 days later.  My wife Carol and I, plus two good friends, were out enjoying the day and checking the 18 bluebird houses again.  Now, at swan pond, there is a very large mound of mud, with a swan sitting on top, likely on eggs.  10 days ago there was nothing there, just two swans digging in the mud.  Quite a construction project in only 10 days.  I looked up swan nesting behaviors and this is typical.  They usually build on top an existing muskrat or beaver hut, but absent that, they will build their own nesting platform.  They lay 4-6 eggs, which take about a month to hatch.  So, in mid June these proud parents should have a group of cygnets to chase around the pond.  I think I’ll name these swans Siegfried and Odette. 

(See photo below)

Bonus: Update on the trail bluebirds.

Currently there are 8 houses occupied by our bluebirds.  Two of these houses have 11 babies already hatched.  And there are 26 eggs distributed among the other 6 houses.  So, 37 total eggs plus babies for the first nesting this spring.  The bluebirds typically nest twice per year, but they lay fewer eggs the second time. Since 2014 when we first started the Gateway bluebird trail, over 600 of these little blue gems have fledged and flown away. Such a joy.

A huge thanks to all River Market Co-op shoppers who said "Yes" to rounding up their purchases during the month of April.

Round Up funds donated to the Trail Association to help purchase equipment, support plantings, advocate for trail extension, and maintain the trails for the enjoyment of all the users.

Each cashier asked their customers if they wish to round up for the monthly non-profit association. As a thank you, the GBCTA offered a special gift certificate and some Gateway-Brown's Creek goodies to the cashier who net the most Round Up dollars.

Congratulations to Maddy, our Round Up winner!

Spring is here!  Ospreys are paired up on nests and the morning chorus is getting a little more interesting.

This is just a REMINDER that the Gateway Trail and Brown's Creek Bird Walks are planned for Saturday, May 9, 2026: 7:00 a.m. at the Gateway Trail/Hwy 96 crossing and 8:30 a.m. at Brown’s Creek Nature Preserve, 8312 Neal Ave N, Stillwater.

DATE: SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026
EVENT: Gateway Trail Bird Walk
TIME: 7:00-8:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Gateway Trail/Hwy 96 Crossing, located at Gateway State Trail, Stillwater, MN 55082

GPS COORDINATES: 45.079640994222714, -92.89679903385633
INFORMATION:  We will leave the parking lot at 7:00 a.m. and return to the starting point at 8:00 a.m.  We will identify as many species as we can by sight and sound during the hour. Bring binoculars if you have them. This is usually a good time and place to see migrant warblers.

DATE: SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026
EVENT: Brown’s Creek Trail Bird Walk
TIME: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
LOCATION: Brown’s Creek Nature Preserve, located at Brown's Creek State Trail, Stillwater, MN 55082

GPS COORDINATES: 45.070340, -92.844382
INFORMATION: We will leave the nature preserve parking area at 8:30 a.m. and return to the starting point at 9:30 a.m.  Again, we will identify as many species as we can by sight and sound during the hour. Bring binoculars if you have them. This is usually a good time and place to see resident and spring migrant birds.

See more at: https://www.gatewaybrownscreektrail.org/event-6641301

WEATHER CONTINGENCY: Drizzle or light rain is OK, but the walks will be cancelled (by email notice) if it’s very windy or significant precipitation is likely. If in doubt, text Marie Culhane at 651-353-5782 on the day of the event.

There is no cost and no registration required for either of these events.  I will send two more reminder emails  - one on April 25, and May 7.

Oakdale Discovery Center and Nature Preserve 4444 Hadley Avenue Oakdale, MN 55128 We have a great line-up of trail advocacy planned!  It's also a night to meet other members, friends, guests, and trail partners who all share your love of the trail. Yummy snacks, treats, coffee, and lemonade will be served. 6 - 6:30pm - Chat with Board Members and Topic Experts Including: Scandia Trail Extension/Advocacy MN DNR Updates and Trail Information Join or Renew Your Membership  Equestrian Updates - Help us rename the Pooper Scoopers! Wild River Conservancy - Lumberjack Landing News Run Stillwater - Looking for a race in 2026 Bicycle Alliance of MN - advocacy at the capitol Parks & Trails Council of MN - supporting outdoor spaces Safety on the Trail Volunteer Opportunities Bluebirds on the Trail Events & Activities NEW - Help us Advocate for Trail Improvements - send postcards to city and state legislators!  We will have postcards and stamps ready for you to write a short note to voice your support for the trail!! 6:30 - 7:30pm - Annual Meeting We are excited to announce that Michael Wojcik, Executive Director from the Bicycle Alliance of MN will be our guest speaker!  Michael joined BikeMN in 2023 and has embraced a new era of leadership, advocacy, and progress in fostering safe and sustainable transportation options for all Minnesotans.

Other Discussion During the Annual Meeting: Highlights of 2025 and plans for 2026 Activities and happenings on the trail Introducing our NEW trail ambassador program Scandia Trail Extension Updates MN DNR highlights and 2026 updates 7:30pm - Prize drawings for amazing prizes from MN DNR, Gateway Cycle, Run Stillwater, Parks & Trails Council of MN, Bicycle Alliance of MN, and Wild River Conservancy!!