CP Rail Regional Trail: Golden Valley and St. Louis Park Segment
Project Background
The CP Rail Regional Trail is envisioned as a north-south off-road multi-use, non-motorized recreational corridor spanning from the Crystal Lake Regional Trail in Crystal at Becker Park to the Minnesota Valley State Trail in Bloomington. The
regional trail is being planned in segments to allow for thoughtful community engagement and detailed route analysis.
This long-range planning project focuses on Segment C (between the Luce Line Regional Trail in Golden Valley and the Cedar Lake Regional Trail in St. Louis Park). Planning for Segment A (between the Minnesota Valley State Trail in Bloomington and Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail in Edina) was completed in 2019. The long-range planning for Segment D (between the Crystal Lake Regional Trail in Crystal and the Luce Line Regional Trail in Golden Valley) was completed in 2023.
This long-range planning work is critical, as the original vision for the regional trail was to utilize the CP Rail corridor; however, this is not currently feasible for the entire trail and alternative routes are needed in order to provide a safe, comfortable and continuous north-south regional trail for people walking and biking in the near future. The long-range planning process will identify and study alternative routes to determine which option(s) best balances feasibility, cost, private property impacts, and safety.
Initial Community Engagement Phase is Complete
The initial community engagement phase to help determine the preferred route of the future CP Rail Regional Trail through Golden Valley and St. Louis Park between the Luce Line and Cedar Lake Regional Trails is now complete.
The four route options within each city, shown on the adjacent map, were available for consideration. The public was invited to share their feedback and their preferred route through a variety of ways including community events, virtual and in-person meetings, an on-line interactive map and survey, email and more.
Route Assessment and Recommendation
Staff has reviewed the public feedback and completed preliminary route feasibility assessment work.
Three Rivers and City staff presented the findings from the route assessment and recommended preferred routes to the St. Louis Park Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission on October 18, 2023, and to the Golden Valley Open Space & Recreation Commission on October 23. 2023.
At the November 13, 2023, St. Louis Park City Council meeting, City and Three Rivers staff presented the route assessment and recommendation for the St. Louis Park segment of the CP Rail Regional Trail long-range plan to the City Council. The council listened to the assessment findings and route recommendation but did not take formal action. Also at the November 13 meeting, members of the public in attendance were able to comment and ask questions regarding the assessment and route recommendation. View a summary of the questions asked at that meeting and responses provided by St. Louis Park and Three Rivers staff.
On April 24, 2024, Three Rivers and City staff presented an update on the long-range planning efforts at a St. Louis Park City Council study session. View the background materials for the study session and the presentation slides.
Recommended Trail Route
As a follow-up to the St. Louis Park City Council discussion in November of 2023, Three Rivers Park District staff returned to the St. Louis Park City Council on June 3, 2024. At that meeting, the St. Louis Park City Council formally supported the recommended route (SLP4).
The selection of a preferred route allows Three Rivers staff to complete the long-range plan.
