Brown's Creek State Trail Planning

In 2007, the Minnesota Legislature authorized the Brown's Creek State Trail as part of the Willard Munger Trail System in east central Minnesota. The trail will connect the Gateway State Trail in Grant to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway in Stillwater via a 5.9 mile trail. Since the trail will be constructed on the former Minnesota Zephyr railroad grade, it will be generally level and accessible to users of all abilities. Like the Gateway State Trail, state statute dictates that the Brown's Creek State Trail will be developed primarily for hiking and nonmotorized riding.
Slide show of photos taken on the Brown's Creek State Trail corridor. This slideshow requires the latest version of
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Photos of the Brown's Creek State Trail Corridor

 

Once complete, trail users will have the opportunity to travel to and from St. Paul, Stillwater, and northern Washington County via the Gateway and Brown's Creek state trails. The Brown's Creek trail corridor will travel through stretches of scenic woods, along a designated trout stream, past historic sites, and along the St. Croix River. The state trail will also connect to local and regional park and trail systems.

Eventually, the Brown's Creek State Trail may connect to a future trail system linking Minnesota and Wisconsin as part of the proposed St. Croix River Crossing.

History

For 23 years, the Zephyr dinner train followed this 5.9 mile route until its owner closed the business in late 2008. Negotiations for the sale of the railroad corridor were started by its owner two years prior, and included the support and advocacy of the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, Washington County, and the City of Stillwater. The purchase represents a unique opportunity to secure the entire corridor of a legislatively authorized state trail from a single landowner.

After obtaining the exclusive right to purchase the property in September 2010, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials signed the purchase agreement on Feb. 16, 2012.

Trail development timeline

In 2012, master planning will be completed, corridor design will continue, and trail construction is anticipated to begin. The specific timeline for construction has not yet been finalized and is dependent upon a number of factors, including coordination among local partners and contractors, and funding. However, it is anticipated that the following will occur in 2012:

  • Remove rails and their supporting ties.
  • Redevelop bridge over St. Croix Trail/State Highway 95.
  • Begin paving the trail, starting at Laurel Street East/Stillwater Depot.

Maps of the trail corridor

Public input opportunities

Two public open houses were held at the Stillwater Public Library in late fall 2011 and comments on the draft master plan were accepted until January 6, 2012. All comments received were carefully considered and a summary of the input will be provided in the appendix of the master plan.

Once the master plan has been reviewed and approved by the DNR Commissioner, the final version will be posted on this page.

More information

Colin Kelly, Parks and Trails Planner
Email colin.kelly@state.mn.us, phone 651-259-5606

Kent Skaar, Acquisition and Development Section Leader
Email kent.skaar@state.mn.us, phone 651-259-5636