Rotary Park Grand Opening Celebration Saturday, October 9 at 11:00 a.m.

Members from the Rotary Club of North St. Paul, Maplewood, and Oakdale will be joined by North St. Paul Mayor Terry Furlong for a grand opening celebration on Saturday, October 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm. at Rotary Park which is located along the Gateway Regional Trail at the intersection of North St. Paul Drive and 2nd St.

Rotary Park features park benches, a picnic pavilion, flag pole, memorial monument, rain garden, bike repair station, little free library, and public restrooms. The grand opening ceremony features light refreshments and live entertainment. Learn more here.

GONE ELECTRIC?

We get it. Electric bikes have opened up a new level of outdoor recreation.

But as you pedal your electric two-wheeler, please remember that you’ve got more juice than the average recreationist, which puts you in a position of greater responsibility.

Please use safe speeds. And as with all bikes, yield to pedestrians and slower trail users, and audibly announce if you are passing.

State trail rules for Electric-assist/Pedal Assist bicycles:

·         Electric-assist or pedal-assist bicycles are allowed on state trails, or wherever normal bicycles are allowed, if they meet the following definition in Minnesota Statutes 169.011, Subdivision 27 (link is external). 

o    2 or 3 wheels

o    A saddle and fully operable pedals for human propulsion

o    An electric motor that is:

·         1,000 watts or less,

·         incapable of propelling faster than 20 miles per hour,

·         incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power alone is used to propel the vehicle at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour, and 

·         disengages or ceases to function when the vehicles brakes are applied.

·         A motorized bicycle that does not meet the definition of an electric-assist bicycle is not allowed on state trails where motorized vehicles are prohibited.

·         When riding on State Trails, remember to yield to pedestrians and slower trail users, and give an audible signal if passing.

We do not have a lot of information regarding this closure, but from the DNR:

"The trail is going to be closed July 19 at Neal Ave for some finishing work related to last year’s road project. I don’t know how long the closure will last at this point but there will be a posted detour so it shouldn’t be too big an impact on trail users."

One of the many splendors of our trails is the variety of wildlife! This huge snapping turtle was spotted just north of Highway 36, between two ponds, by a member of the GBCTA last week. Keep your eyes open while you're enjoying the trails and who knows what you'll see...

GBCTA volunteers built and installed six new picnic tables at the trailhead of the Brown's Creek Trail by the home of the new Zephyr Theatre Train Trax Snack Cart.

Enjoy these beautiful new places to sit and relax by the trail!

This Thursday, 6/17, trail striping will begin on the Gateway Trail starting at Pine Point. This is an exciting development on the trail, but please use caution as crews will be out on the trail.

Washington County is seeking $3 million in state funding to construct a trailhead and trail connection(s) from County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5 (Stonebridge Trail) to the Browns Creek State Trail.

Read more about the project here.

This spring, enjoy one more amenity at Brown's Creek Park when you're passing through or getting ready to head out on the trail: a new water station! The Gateway Brown's Creek Trail Association was proud to be part of this project.

From Tom McCarty, City Administrator for Stillwater: 
“The City of Stillwater is very proud of the collaborative effort by the Gateway Trail Association, community members, City Council and city staff, in completing the water station project at Neal Avenue adjacent to the Brown’s Creek Trail.  As a Stillwater resident, bicycling enthusiast and trail user, I am very appreciative of the community support for the City’s vision and planning for bicycling and pedestrian trails.  This is another great amenity to enhance the trail recreation users’ experience.”  

 

A partnership between the City of North St. Paul and Rotary Club of North St Paul - Maplewood - Oakdale, Rotary Park has parking, benches, covered pavilions, a bike repair station, and (recently completed) year-round public restrooms. The restrooms are open every day at 7 am and close at 9 pm.

Curious about the trail conditions after a snowfall? Check out snow depth and conditions on the Gateway State Trail, Brown's Creek State Trail and other Minnesota trails here:

Snow Depth and Groomed Trail Conditions