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PTRC Strategies for Parks and Trails Page 3 adjacent communities and to the regional trail system. But more than that, these trail segments become an integral part of the overall transportation network. 1. Tony Schmidt Park Railroad underpass This improvement has been scheduled for construction this year and will provide improved access to the Park from neighborhoods to the north utilizing already completed portions of the Arden Hills trail network. It will also form a strong connection with other recommended arterial trails. 2. West side of Old Snelling from Highway 51 on the south to County Road E on the north. We understand that this portion of highway is scheduled for improvement during 2007. We urge the council to allocate funds for a trail as part of that reconstruction. This trail segment is a key link in the major north-south arterial through the city which will eventually connect the existing Arden Hills with the new TCAAP development. This trail may be eligible for municipal state-aid funding. In the future, we envision extending this trail to the south along the west side of Highway 51. 3. Seu4h side of County Road E from Old Snelling to Connelly You'll remember this is the sidewalk that was before the Council a year or so ago and included the grant application to MnDOT for completing the walkway over Highway 51. Unfortunately, the grant application was not re-submitted this past December but we urge the Council to reapply next year and earmark funds for completing this very important trail link. In addition to serving as a link to Freeway Park and the commercial development to the east, this walkway is an important park of a longer east-west arterial transversing the city from west to east. 4. East Old Snelling from County Road E to Highway 96 This is a continuation of trail segment 2 and would include reworking of the railroad underpass north of Lindey's as well as a grade separation at Highway 10 and 96 to the north. Again,we feel that this segment is crucial to improved circulation between the existing and new portions of Arden Hills. 5. NeAh side of Lake Johanna Boulevard from County Road E on the west to Old Snelling on the east. Development of this trail segment would complete the southern east-west arterial through the city. It is heavily used now—year round—by residents and student from Bethel College and that use is likely to increase with the growing popularity of Tony Schmidt Park and the County's completion of the trail link under the railroad (Segment 1). Ramsey County has requested the Metropolitan Council to designate Tony Schmidt as a regional park which will further increase its visitor use. As a result, Arden Hills may be eligible for regional park funds to improve this trail and provide safe access to the park.