Planning Begins for Highly Anticipated Weaver Lake Regional Trail
The Three Rivers Park District has begun planning for a long-sought-after regional trail that would connect the cities of Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove and Corcoran.
The Weaver Lake Regional Trail, deemed a “critical” east-west corridor link, would be built in phases and span approximately 20 miles from the Mississippi River all the way to Lake Rebecca in western Hennepin County.
The first phase of planning will span from Brooklyn Boulevard and West Broadway Avenue, where a Blue Line Extension light rail stop is planned in Brooklyn Park, and extend west to the Lake Independence Regional Trail in Corcoran.
“It’s a highly populated area, a popular area, and this will be a popular trail,” said Danny McCullough, regional trail systems manager with the Three Rivers Park District.
Three Rivers recently unveiled initial plans at the April 16 Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board meeting.
McCullough told the park board that Three Rivers has been looking at this particular corridor since 2020. Planning for the route is expected to take about a year with community engagement taking place this summer.
“We need to go to the public with a couple of options,” said McCullough.
Different Route Options
The trail would feel similar to the Medicine Lake Regional Trail, which runs north-south connecting Elm Creek Park Reserve, Fish Lake and French regional parks.
Possible alignments for the Weaver Lake Regional Trail are expected to go through Maple Grove’s Weaver Lake Park. McCullough noted that some of the alignments could use existing city trail. Three Rivers would make sure the trail conforms to its 10-foot wide standards. The park district would also oversee maintenance.
The planned trail would have two freeway crossings: one at Interstate 94 and another at Highway 169.
On the eastern portion of the trail in Maple Grove, one park board member suggested the trail should run through Central Park instead of along Elm Creek Boulevard, as currently proposed.
“In wanting to get away and enjoy your environment and relax and enjoy a nice run, a bike ride … Elm Creek Boulevard just doesn’t have that calm feeling,” said board member Deb Syhre.
The city of Maple Grove will review and approve a preferred route as part of phase one.
After planning wraps up next summer, construction would begin.
“Sometimes that only takes 5 years. Sometimes it can take 10 to 15 years,” said McCullough.
He noted the length of time depends on how soon funding is secured.
Map of alignment options for proposed Weaver Lake Regional Trail
Next Steps
The Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board allowed for community engagement by the Three Rivers Park District to proceed.
Community engagement will run through early fall with opportunities for residents in Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park and Corcoran to provide input. Park officials plan to gather input through a variety of ways, including attending farmers markets and other public events.
Three Rivers also intends to create a protect website for the regional trail.
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