Plan: Connect college, casino to trail

Residents along a proposed bike and pedestrian trail were eagerly waiting for more information at two open houses this week explaining the project announced last month by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The branches from Carlton's Munger Trail to Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and Black Bear Casino Resort would create 3.8 miles of connection to the popular trail that runs from Duluth to Hinckley.

There were two open house sessions planned for Thursday at the college.

Caleb Dunlap, communications director for the Band, said the idea of a "trail connection" has developed in the past three years. It was part of the long-range transportation plan made for the reservation in 2022, which included hiring a landscape architect to design the trail from the casino to the Munger Trail.

Talks about a paved trail connection go back at least to 2006, in discussions between the Band and Arrowhead Regional Development Commission.

In mid-November, letters went out to residents along Carlton Road, Moorhead Road and 14th Street, stating that the trail was in the planning and design phase. Some residents have already given permission for digs on their property as part of the scoping process.

"We have had staff conducting test digs to identify any cultural resources or artifacts," Dunlap said. "These test holes are required by state law, and they are dug every 50 feet along the project corridor to ensure compliance with cultural heritage regulations. Before digging, we always request permission from property owners. If access is denied, we do not proceed with the test hole in that area."

Tina Illikainen lives on Moorhead Road near White Pine Road. She said the letter received in mid-November was a surprise. She likes the idea of a trail but would like to see just how much land, and property, would be needed to create it.

"There are too many questions to just say 'Let's do this,'" she said. "A lot more information is needed."

Dunlap said a likely completion date wouldn't be until 2027 or 2028.

"We cannot provide a clear timeline until we progress through the environmental and cultural review stages," he said. "Once we have a better understanding of the final project budget and scope of work, we can begin applying for grants."

The cities of Hermantown and Proctor have had designs on a connection to the Munger for about 15 years. It would require about 16 miles of trail from the few miles established in Hermantown, through Proctor and to the main trail. Voters in Hermantown approved a half-percent sales tax to pay for what was estimated to be an $8 to $12 million project a few years ago.

The Band would seek federal, tribal and trails grant money wherever it can, Dunlap said.

"The plan is to leverage as many grants as possible," he said. "We plan to explore all possible options to secure funding for this project, but increases to taxes will not be used in this project should it progress."

Tim Peterson, Cloquet city administrator, said the proposed project is, as of now, strictly a Band project since the trail would run along county and state road rights-of-way.

City trails connecting to Munger are part of the parks master plan developed by the city a decade ago. Peterson said the city's goal would be to create trails throughout the city that connect to the main trail.

The Band and the city see a connected trail system increasing recreational opportunities while also connecting people via trails to businesses and employers, creating an economic benefit.

Part of the connector to the casino would require the redesign of the Moorhead Road bridge over Interstate 35. The Band hopes its trail project would help move up the timeline for what would be a state and county bridge reconstruction. Moorhead Road is on the tentative 2026 Carlton County road project list for a mill and overlay.