05-19-26 PTRC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – April 21, 2026 Page 4 Resident Bitzer asked if the ski trails would be groomed by the City and Mounds View High School. Committee Member Chresand said it would be mostly Mounds View because they own a groomer. They are asking for the City to approve Mounds View’s use of the area around the lake and use of the trails. He said there is dense buckthorn growth that would need to be removed. He thinks the high school could do that work. He said Irondale has similar trails on county property. Committee Member Loosbrock asked if Irondale grooms those trails. Committee Member Chresand said he knows Irondale has their own grooming equipment. He isn’t sure if there is any county involvement with the grooming. Committee Member Olson asked if the vacant land he is talking about belongs to the City or is it all county land? Committee Member Chresand said he recently found out it’s taxed as Ramsey County property. He is hoping someone can contact the County to see if there are any options. Council Liaison Weber said it’s all owned by Ramsey County Parks and Recreation. That may be a positive. Committee Member Deitz asked who would have access. Committee Member Chresand said the trails for Irondale are open to the community. Their trails are established and the end goal would be to have these trails be public, as well. Committee Member Deitz noted the graphic shows some zig-zagging. He asked if there is a standard radius for turns. Committee Member Chresand said the proposed maps are to show the concept. Discussion ensued that this is County land. Ramsey County has a large Parks and Recreation staff and a Parks Commission. Further discussion ensued that Ramsey County may have proposed projects for that land. Committee Member Ahmed thought a trail this long will require more than just a few high school students to maintain it. She said some engineering firms will consult on design projects like this, on a voluntary basis. They may be able to help with design and help identify what grade changes are required. She will bring a list of firms to the next meeting. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said she can connect with Ramsey County Parks and Recreation, as well. Council Liaison Weber said we could draft a letter of recommendation from the PTRC, from the City, from the schools and the school board. Those would go a long way in influencing Ramsey County to build it on their own.