Burnsville, Dakota County Partner On Proposed Greenway Bike Path

BURNSVILLE, MN – The City of Burnsville has partnered with Dakota County on a proposed bicycle path that would fill a current gap on the Lake Marion Trail Greenway between Rose Bluff Trail and the parking lot at Sunset Pond Park.

The Lake Marion Greenway is a 20-mile corridor connecting the Minnesota River Greenway in Burnsville to the Vermillion Greenway in Farmington. Officials from the city and county have partnered to complete a 3.25-mile stretch and a proposed joint powers agreement would provide a preliminary design for the remaining 1.5 miles.

The city will host two upcoming open houses where local residents can learn more about the project and provide their input. The first will take place from 9:30-11 a.m. on Saturday before the second will take place from 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 21.

According to a project overview. the Rose Bluff Trail was constructed three years ago and the Lake Marion Trail - Kelleher Segment is constructed now, with punch list items remaining. If the city and county can fill the gap from Rose Bluff Trail to the Sunset Pond Park parking lot, there will be a 4.75 miles of the Lake Marion Greenway section within the City of Burnsville from Rudy Kraemer Nature Preserve to Kelleher Park.

Officials said that the best way to get the funding to construct this gap is to complete this engineering study and preliminary plan/cost estimate in preparation for an anticipated federal grant program which is expected to be open for submissions in early summer of 2022. This will allow the city and county to complete community outreach, provide a preferred alternative, begin railroad coordination and determine any other challenges that may exist to construct the new trail.

Completing this study like will increase the odds of receiving federal funding, officials said.