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Wednesday, October 29, 2008
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Walking the trail walk
Senior Reporter TROMMALD - In what Crow Wing County Administrator Tim Houle called an example of "eyeball to eyeball diplomacy" officials from the county and DNR met with residents along Miller Lake Road Tuesday to talk about a proposed all-terrain vehicle trail.
For the county, dealing with the trail is a balancing act.
On one hand, officials see a trail system with signs and enforced regulations as a way to provide controls over ATV use. On the other hand, residents faced with a proposed trail a short distance from their homes are concerned about safety, noise, dust - and a general loss of peace and quiet at their homes.
The small group met for an outdoor meeting on a brisk afternoon at Pat McDermott's home on Miller Lake Road. They walked along proposed ATV trail routes, consulted maps and considered possible alternatives. McDermott said with ATVs speeding by his home on a narrow wooded and winding road, he is concerned for the young children in the neighborhood.
"I would probably die if one of mine got hit," McDermott said.
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Wolford Township Clerk Rebecca Guida (left), Crow Wing County Administrator Tim Houle, County Commissioner Doug Houge, Trommald resident Pat McDermott, who lives along Miller Lake Road, and others walked along the proposed ATV trail Tuesday. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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No decisions were made Tuesday. Crow Wing County Commissioner Doug Houge said the trail is proposed at this point with decisions yet months away.
Property owners Scott and Kathy Stenberg reported numerous incidents of vandalism and replacement of seven damaged gates since they bought the land in 2005.
"I just don't want the ATV trail to go through our property," Kathy Stenberg said as she walked along a leaf-strewn grass trail. "I have an autistic grandson. I worry. I really do. It would totally change our use of our property. It would make a difference on what we would leave up there. If you are afraid to leave your boat, you have to drag your boat with every time."
After listening to concerns, Crow Wing County Administrator Tim Houle and Commissioner Doug Houge said they weren't in a position to say where the trail may go but the meeting gave them ideas for additional options.
The idea of a proposed ATV trail from Brainerd to Emily has been known for its tension between those who see trails, particularly along public land and roadways as public use, and residents who say trails will damage their ability to enjoy their private property.
Rebecca Guida, Wolford Township clerk, spoke of frustration as the township wants to stop the trail system as it is proposed and residents feel no one is even listening to them. Guida said she felt the officials were there Tuesday to convince residents to accept the trail. If residents felt their concerns were addressed and trail adjustments made, that would help, Guida said.
"We are here to listen," Houle said. "It is a balancing act. ... If we don't do anything with ATVs that's not the answer either because they can run down this road right now and there's nothing you can do to stop them. And is that a safer alternative than trying to find a designed alternative that separates them away. So the notion that if we don't do this then everything is fine is a faulty assumption because ATVs are already causing problems."
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Neighboring property owner Kathy Stenberg (left), Wolford Township Clerk Rebecca Guida and Parks Supervisor/Agricultural Inspector Mark Rudningen inspected a map while discussing a proposed route of an ATV trail through Trommald Tuesday at a meeting to discuss the issue. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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Residents said it is easy for ATVs to go off the trail and the disturbance from their machines, unlike the winter snowmobile season, comes during the warm weather months when windows are open and people are outside. Guida said she was concerned about the safety of a planned Highway 6 crossing, particularly during icy conditions. Houge said a trail route needs to be designed, enforcement is needed along with a county ordinance regulating the ATV trail riding season and hours. The proposed trail route is online at the county's Web site at www.co.crow-wing.mn.us.
"I'm not supportive of a trail that's not going to be done right," Houge said. "There are still several months of work."
Lowell Jaeger, DNR Brainerd area trails and waterways supervisor, said he thinks there is a right place for the trail. Jaeger said Wisconsin has put a wonderful trail system in place and riders who go off the trail have their ATVs confiscated.
Were residents satisfied with Tuesday's meeting? Bob Manning said: "It's wait and see and we'll see what happens next."
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
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