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Gem Lake News Page 6 of 8 <br /> <br /> Lake Links Trail Completed <br />Article and Photos by Jim Lindner and Lake Links Association <br /> <br />To celebrate the completion of the South Shore <br />Boulevard trail segment, the Lake Links Association and <br />White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a <br />ribbon cutting event on Thursday, June 20 at 3:30 p.m. <br /> <br />The calendar said it was the first day of summer, but <br />rain and clouds kept the temperature in the lower 60s. <br />Nonetheless a small group of residents, local officials, <br />and project engineers came out for the official ribbon- <br />cutting ceremony for the final section of the Lake Links <br />Trail that allow trail users to circumnavigate the water <br />body, White Bear Lake. <br /> <br /> <br />Officially initiated in a 2001 engineering study, what <br />eventually became the Lake Links Association provided <br />the means for local governments and residents to come <br />together and created a nearly ten-mile trail around White <br />Bear Lake. Resolutions of support from White Bear <br />Lake, White Bear Township, Birchwood, Dellwood, and <br />Mahtomedi, along with support from Ramsey County <br />and the state legislature all helped make the trail a <br />reality. The final segment was included in the South <br />Shore Boulevard reconstruction project. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />The trail’s closest point to Gem Lake is to take Hoffman <br />Road to White Bear Avenue near Kowalski’s. From there, <br />the trail is just across the parking lot. Or there’s a <br />municipal parking ramp at The Boatworks Commons. <br />Walk, jog, or bike along the trail for a short stretch or go <br />the full 9.9-mile distance. <br /> <br /> <br />Part of the trail includes a new picnic shelter at Bellaire <br />Beach, named Saputo Station, from funds donated by <br />Saputo (many Gem Lake residents will recall Saputo’s <br />former name, Kohler Mix) which reflects local business <br />investments into the project to compliment public money. <br />Here, and at Lion’s Park, there are free public bicycle <br />repair stations should your bike need a quick fix on the <br />trail. <br /> <br />Gem Lake congratulates its eastern neighbors on the <br />successful completion of this important local project. For <br />more project information including local historical <br />information, visit www.lakelinks.org. <br /> <br />After years of hard work, South Shore Boulevard now <br />includes safe spaces for people to walk, bike and <br />roll. This incredible transformation is a product of <br />exceptional citizen engagement and the persistence of <br />our legislative and civic leaders. <br /> <br /> <br />