Photo by Ana Alexander
The Dakota Rail Regional Trail is a beautiful route for bicyclists and other visitors to get a taste of the outdoors .
Trail offers outdoor recreation
By Ana Alexander Staff Writer
The Dakota Rail Regional Trail covers a portion of the 44-mile Dakota Rail corridor , which crosses Hennepin , Carver , and McLeod counties .
The first phase of the trail in Carver County , from the Hennepin County border to Mayer , was completed in 2010 .
In 2012 , the remaining 5.5 miles of the Carver County portion of the trail were completed , extending it from Mayer through New Germany to the McLeod County line , and culminating in 12.5 miles of paved trail .
A crowd of trail enthusiasts gathered in Lester Prairie in September 2015 , celebrating the opening of the first portion of the trail in McLeod County .
Previously , the trail had been paved from Wayzata through Hennepin County , and across Carver County to the McLeod County border .
Now , trail users can travel as far west as Lester Prairie on the trail .
In 2015 , the Lester Prairie Trail Committee solicited donations to develop the trail from the Carver County border west to Pine Street in Lester Prairie .
The portion of the trail in McLeod County has a packed gravel surface , while the trail in Carver and Hennepin counties is paved .
The Dakota Rail Regional Trail provides recreation for citizens of all ages .
The trail passes through a variety of scenic areas , including wetlands , wooded areas , and agricultural lands .
The paved portions of the trail accommodate the planned uses of walking , hiking , biking , jogging , dog
NEW GERMANY
File photo
The trailhead for the Dakota Rail Regional Trail in New Germany includes a parking area and an informational kiosk .
walking , inline skating , and rollerblading Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trail .
Community Guide
Burns Excavating , Inc .
2016-17 Edition
11