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Restoration Projects to Enhance Duluth Trails and Stream Habitat

[Duluth, MN] - The summer 2012 flood restoration continues in Duluth as contractors start work this month to stabilize stream banks and restore trails in Chester Bowl Park and Congdon Park. Contractors have started staging equipment this week and several crews will be out working to repair these heavily used parks so that everyone can enjoy them for many years to come.

The trail repair projects located just north of the Thom Storm Chalet and further south in Chester Bowl entail making drainage adjustments, recapping trails and filling in sections that were damaged as part of the 2012 flood. This portion of the overall project is funded with Federal Emergency Management Agency funds and Parks funds. The project could take several weeks to complete.      

Additional flood restoration work is also planned for July through September, to follow the trout spawning season. Contractors will work to stabilize the stream banks at eight locations to improve trout habitats. The contractor will post signs at locations leading up to the work site to warn park users of no public access areas. A $3.5 million grant from the Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is funding this work.

The Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS) will also be installing a segment of a new trail, as part of the Duluth Traverse Trail, around the perimeter of Chester Bowl bordering the North and West edges as approved in the 2014 Chester Park Mini-Master Plan. It is part of a city wide natural surface multi-use connecting trail system spanning the entire city along the ridgeline. Adding this trail will direct adjacent neighbors to the appropriate trail as they enter the North and West sides of the Park. This work will last approximately 4-6 weeks, is privately funded at $45,000 and will be scheduled to align with other projects in the park.

In Congdon Park, the hiking trail repairs are commencing with the pedestrian bridge repair nearest Superior Street. The bridge will not be open to public use until early next week. Trail work will occur from Wallace Ave down to Superior Street. This entire project should be completed by late October. The trail repairs involve drainage adjustments, bridge work, and filling in washed out sections. This project is funded with Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, and could take several weeks to complete. The contractor will post signs at locations leading up to the work site to warn park users of no public access areas.

Work crews will work Monday through Friday during regular hours of 7 AM to 4 PM. Small equipment such as skid steers will be used and equipment trailers will be placed in areas that do not impeded traffic. The public will see 4-6 workers at park. The City and its contractor places safety as a top priority and will have notification signage and orange fencing installed leading up to work sites or trail closures.  

The City of Duluth values and strives to protect its natural habitats with utmost care. The City realizes that the bank stabilization work may require the transport of large equipment which may disturb or damage trails or bushes. The City is committed to ensuring erosion control measures are installed with restoration of park spaces and public assets to their original state or better following completion of these projects.

Additional questions about the trail projects can be directed to Jim Shoberg, Project Coordinator, at jshoberg@duluthmn.gov

or Chris Kleist for the stream project at ckleist@duluthmn.gov

Updates will be provided on the City Parks webpage, http://www.duluthmn.gov/parks/

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