(Jackson, Mn.)– A ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating completion of the first recreational trail that spans Minnesota and Iowa was held Friday on the state line just north of Mini-Wakan State Park.
Jackson county recently completed a trail segment that links trails in the Loon Lake area with those in the Iowa Great Lakes.
Among those speaking at the event was Erin Reed, President of the Dickinso County Trails Board. She talked about future plans for trails in the two states, including a possible expansion into western Dickinson and eastern Osceola counties if negotiations to purchase atleast a portion of the former Iowa Northwestern Railroad in those areas are successful. Reed also talked about a proposed expansion of trails in Jackson county with the Casey Jones Trail at Currie, Minnesota. A bill has been introduced in the Minnesota Legislature that would help fund the proposed 100 mile expansion.
Norm Meinking of Spirit Lake, an avid trail user, thanked those who helped make the existing trails possible as well as those who patrol and maintain them.
Jim Vickerman, a Minnesota State Senator from Tracy who represents the Jackson area, expressed his optimism for the future of trails projects in that state, siting a new appropriation that was made possible by Minnesota voters.
State Representative Mike May of Spirit Lake expressed his support for trails and talked about their importance to the area.
It was also announced Friday the Friends of the Jackson Trails group will be recognized in an upcoming edition of a magazine that promotes recreational trails throughout Minnesota.
