Mountain Biking Trails Study

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Following an extensive public input process, the City of Minnetonka developed a concept plan and study to analyze the feasibility of adding mountain bike trails to Lone Lake Park.

The city council voted to approve the concept plan at its Aug. 26, 2019 meeting.

Lone Lake Park Mountain Bike Trail Concept Plan

Minnetonka Mountain Bike Study

Construction Updates

Visit minnetonkamn.gov/lonelakembt to stay up-to-date on trail construction.

Study Background

A desire for mountain biking trails was a common theme requested throughout the Imagine Minnetonka community-wide visioning process conducted in 2016. At its September 2016 meeting, the park board directed city staff to explore the feasibility of adding trails to the park system after they received a request from a group of residents to do so. That analysis began in 2017 after an extensive public input process to gather community feedback. In early 2018, after analyzing several location options, the park board directed staff to develop a concept plan for adding trails to Lone Lake Park.

At the June 6, 2018 meeting, the park board unanimously voted to recommend approval of the concept plan to the city council. The council will review and vote on the plan at a to-be-determined meeting.

Study Timeline

February-May 2018: City staff created a formal concept plan – detailing trail location and length – for adding mountain bike trails to Lone Lake Park.
May 17, 2018: A concept plan open house was held. Public feedback was solicited.
June 2018: City staff presented the concept plan to the park board at the June 6, 2018 meeting. The board unanimously voted to recommend approval of the plan to city council.
July 2018: The City of Minnetonka was informed that a petition was filed requesting the city to conduct an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the proposed mountain biking trail in Lone Lake Park.
Aug. 6, 2018: City council voted to deny the EAW request at its Aug. 6, 2018 meeting.
October 2018: The city council's decision on whether or not to add mountain bike trails to Lone Lake Park was postponed indefinitely pending litigation.
June 2019: The Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the the city council’s decision – originally made in August 2018 – denying the request to conduct the EAW.
July 2019: A petition was filed with the Minnesota Supreme Court asking the court to review the ruling upholding the city council’s decision to not conduct an EAW.
August 2019: At its Aug. 26, 2019 meeting, council voted to approve the concept plan for mountain biking trails in Lone Lake Park.
September 2019: The Minnesota Supreme Court denied the petition for review filed in July 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mountain Biking Trails Study
- Why was Lone Lake Park chosen?
  The following criteria – developed by city staff with input from residents – was used to determine which Minnetonka parks could support mountain bike trails.
  
  Though several Minnetonka parks were analyzed, Lone Lake Park was ultimately identified as the most feasible option. View the Feb. 7, 2018 park board meeting packet to read the full staff report regarding criteria and trail location options.
  
  Site Evaluation Criteria
  
  Adequate Space
  - The park must support four miles of trail
  - If a circuit, each park must be able to support two miles of trail per location
  - If a circuit, the parks containing trails must be a located within one mile of each other
  - A mountain bike trail system should be a minimum of two miles from a regional bike trail
  - Park must contain a minimum of 20 usable acres
  Environmental Protection
  - Trails should be built according to sustainable trail guidelines
  - Avoid building trails where uncommon plants or high quality restoration exists
  - Trail width must be no more than two feet wide
  - Trails should be built to minimize tree impact and removal
  Minimal User Conflict
  - Trails must be built as one-way trails
  - Trails should be built to minimally intersect maintained or high traffic footpaths
  - New mountain biking trails should not displace maintained or high traffic footpaths
  - Mountain bike trails should be designated as multi-use
  - Adequate parking should be available
- What is mountain biking?
  Mountain biking is the non-motorized sport of riding bicycles off-road on narrow trails called single-track. Single-track trails average 18” in width, are not paved, vary in difficulty and are designed to flow through natural areas with gradual inclines and declines in topography.
- What will mountain biking look like at Lone Lake Park?
  The trails will be created using sustainable trail building techniques, support riding for all ages and abilities, have minimal environmental impact, minimally disturb other park users, coexist with the natural environment and support an acres-per-mile density of trails that is similar to other Twin Cities trail systems.
  
  View the criteria for mountain bike trail development in Minnetonka.
  
  Visit minnetonkamn.gov/lonelakembt to stay up-to-date on construction.

Public Process and Engagement

Aug. 26, 2019 City Council Meeting

Aug. 6, 2018 City Council Meeting

June 6, 2018 Park Board Meeting

Feb. 7, 2018 Park Board Meeting

Oct. 4, 2017 Park Board Meeting

Summary: WSB and Associates – the consulting firm hired to conduct a public engagement process for the mountain biking trails study – presented community engagement options to the park board.

The board voted to move forward with community engagement ‘Option 1’ process, with the addition of a second general public meeting. View the Oct. 4, 2017 Park Board Packet for details regarding the community engagement options.

Oct. 4, 2017 Park Board Packet

Sept. 6, 2017 Park Board Meeting

June 7, 2017 Park Board Meeting

Summary: A concept plan was presented to the board, which included two park locations.

The board received feedback both in support of and opposed to mountain biking trails in Minnetonka.
The board directed staff to look at additional locations, including the 494 corridor. Staff will research additional locations, while assessing community feedback, and will present findings to the park board.
The project will not be presented to the city council until the park board endorses a plan.

June 7, 2017 Park Board Packet

May 10, 2017 Park Board Tour

March 1, 2017 Park Board Meeting

Dec. 7, 2016 Park Board Meeting

Sept. 7, 2016 Park Board Meeting

Business Item: Minnetonka Park Board receives request for the addition of mountain biking trails.

Summary: Park Board motioned to direct staff to conduct further research into the possibility of adding mountain biking trials in the Minnetonka park system, including possible partnerships, and report back to the park board prior to discussions on projects to be included in the 2018-2022 Capital Improvements Program.

Sept. 7, 2016 Park Board Meeting Packet

Public Engagement Meetings Overview

Given the large amount of interest and concern over the prospect of developing mountain biking trails within city parks, the city hired WSB and Associates in 2017 to conduct additional community outreach and engagement for the potential project. Find a summary of each meeting below.

Nov. 2017 Focus Group Meetings Overview

Nov. 8, 2017 Focus Group Meeting

Summary: This meeting was geared toward residents who had expressed concerns about the potential trails. WSB and Associates led the meeting. View the detailed feedback received from the November 8 meeting.

Nov. 16, 2017 Focus Group Meeting

Summary: This meeting targeted mountain biking trail advocates. WSB and Associates led the meeting. View the detailed feedback received from the November 16 meeting.

Summary of Focus Group Meeting Feedback

Dec. 2017 and January 2018 General Public Meetings Overview