Valley Trail, December 2000

Last January, Hennepin Parks amended their Winter Recreation Master Plans to address the growing northwestern Metro population. The amendment, which was approved by the board this spring, involves a number of improvements to the Elm Creek facilities. For cross-country skiers, the most exciting item on the list is a plan to develop snowmaking capabilities for the 5K lighted loop at Elm Creek. The snowmaking plans should finally provide the metro area skiers with a reliable ski trail in the early winter and through "dry" seasons, and will put Elm Creek into a very exclusive club of trails that have snowmaking facilities.

A number of other improvements are planned. The current trailhead building at Elm Creek will be integrated into a new winter village, with six units providing functions such as warming pavilion, visitor center with concessions, ski patrol, rentals, new bathrooms, and storage. The new winter chalet building itself should almost double the space of the existing trailhead.

Outside, a major expansion in the sledding areas will occur. A new tubing hill will flank the existing sliding hill, and a lift/tow system will be added. Some changes to the Valley Trail will be made, including a change in direction, as the downhill and return loop to the trailhead will be utilized by a new downhill skiing/snowboarding area. The new downhill area would be primarily designed for beginner skis and snowboards. Snowmaking facilities for the downhill and tubing/sledding hills will help to ensure good conditions throughout the season. Finally, the existing parking lot will be expanded to handle the expected increase in number of visitors.

While a project of this scope won't be completed in months, changes to the trail system and hills are most likely some of the first items to be finished. Work should begin in 2003, and it is hoped the entire project will be completed within three years.

With the Baker Park asphalt trail repaving now wrapped up, the question arises: what is the next trail system to be repaved? The deteriorating southern trails at Elm Creek have not gone unnoticed by the Park District. While funding problems last year caused a delay, the southern trail system is currently scheduled to be repaved in the summer of 2003.