Diamond Lake Regional Trail Master Plan
Project Background and Status
Three Rivers Park District is leading a master planning process for the Diamond Lake Regional Trail - a new north-south 10-foot-wide paved, multi-use regional trail through western Hennepin County which would allow biking, hiking, dog walking, running, and in-line skating.
In 2020, Three Rivers obtained extensive feedback from the community and coordinated with city partners along the proposed route to determine and approve the preferred route for the regional trail. The Diamond Lake Regional Trail is now envisioned to connect to the West Mississippi River Regional Trail in Dayton at its northern terminus and travel through Rogers and Corcoran to the Lake Independence Regional Trail and Baker Park Reserve in Medina at its southern terminus. After additional public engagement in 2021 and at the request of the cities of Medina and Long Lake, the preferred route for the regional trail will avoid southeast Medina and the City of Long Lake.
This planning effort also envisions a north-south trail connection in Wayzata and Orono linking the Dakota Rail Regional Trail and Luce Line State Trail. This trail connection will be called the Dakota Rail – Luce Line Connector Regional Trail. This trail connection, along with the existing trail connection of the Luce Line State Trail and the Lake Independence Regional Trail, will provide the contiguous trail route that was originally envisioned for the Diamond Lake Regional Trail corridor.
For quick reference, a PDF map of the preferred route for the Diamond Lake Regional Trail approved by each community is available here.
A detailed, interactive map for the preferred route is available here.
30-Day Public Comment Period
Three Rivers Park District has completed the draft master plan for the Diamond Lake Regional Trail and Dakota Rail – Luce Line Connector Regional Trails. The 30-day public comment period took place from May 4, 2022, through June 3, 2022. View the updated draft master plan. View the master plan appendices, including comments received during the public comment period.
If you have questions about the master plan, please email Stephen.Shurson@threeriversparks.org.
Next Steps
Following Metropolitan Council approval and final adoption of the completed master plan by the Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners, Three Rivers will work to secure funding and work with willing sellers and partners to secure required property rights and commence trail construction. Trail construction will occur in multiple phases as funding and development opportunities allow and will likely take two to three decades to fully achieve.
I know many people are worried about the peace being interrupted in the area, but the twin cities is growing regardless. The Plymouth area has seen significant growth, and it's most likely going to happen to all the regions west in the near future. It's nice to see the vision for designing this trail before it's overrun with suburbia. The trail may even prevent some regions from being urbanized if designed correctly. Definitely for the trail system, especially if it allows safe passage crossing over major highways.
Love the idea of a North south paved trail west of plymouth. Would love to ride from home to Dakota Trail or north to elm creek. Good plan running along Arrowhead and down 118.
Barry Ave is a far better choice than Ferndale Rd for connecting trails. Barry Ave is wider, has more parking options, and is closer to downtown Wayzata to help support local businesses. Ferndale is too narrow, has limited parking options and isn't convenient to downtown. Plus Ferndale is the most beautiful street in Wayzata with it's canopy of mature trees. Let's not tear up Ferndale when Barry is a better option.
I think it is a great idea. We could use more trails in the western corridor. My only wish is it somehow taps into the Elm Creek trail near Fish Lake. Thanks
Completely support the regional trail proposed here. As a biker who heavily uses the west metro's network of trails, the northwest is underrepresented in paved trails. Love it (and please pave it like the Dakota rail trail!)
Love the project for more trails. It brings together communities and makes it easier for everyone to be outdoors, walking, biking, rolle blading, etc. I would also like to see the snowmobile trails continue and be expanded and have consideration while expanding the trails. You cannot have enough trails in the community! Thank you!
I love biking. I live in Anoka County, but I’ve biked more than 1,000 miles this summer, all in Hennepin County. I wish Anoka County Parks developed our natural resources the way I see it in Three Rivers. 40 years ago, I biked what is now one of the most popular trails around-now called the Grand Rounds in Minneapolis. I’m glad that someone had the vision to develop these trails in the city. I appreciate the fact that Three Rivers presents a vision for the future of recreation, and asks for input from residents. I wish Anoka County was nearly as good at it. I don’t understand the arguments against it. No need for this? Maybe it will be sparsely used initially, but it’s building for the future. It will take away your tranquility? Really? A 10-wide strip of asphalt used for non-motorized recreation disrupts the peace? Wow. I appreciate the efforts of Three Rivers, and I place a high value on the network of natural resources they’re building.
Stop the nonsense. There is no need for this trail in this area. There are plenty of trails around for people to bike and run. I drive down CR 19 frequently which has a bike trail along the road and most of the time the bikers are on the road and not on the trial. It will destroy nature and quietness the area which is not fair to those that live there. They live in the country for a reason. Notice how everyone that is for it lives elsewhere? And how about the people that are using it, pay for it. Where is this money coming from especially during an economic downturn?
I do not support the Diamond Lake Regional Trail. The proposed trail cuts through my yard where my garden, garden shed and chicken coop are. As others have said I moved here to enjoy the wetlands, tranquility and space. Bringing this trail to my neighborhood/yard takes all of that away. Please don't wreck what my husband and I have worked very hard to accomplish; a save place for our kids to play/grow up.
We live in Medina and oppose this Diamond Lake Regional Trail. The proposed trail cuts through neighborhoods and wetland areas. We moved to Medina because of all the green space, please stop changing the landscape.
We would like to voice our opposition to the diamond lake regional trail. We moved out to this area because of the solitude and tranquility it provides. The trail would disrupt this peaceful setting. In the 7 metro counties we have one of the greatest trail systems in the US. When is enough, enough!!!
Please make sure the south side of Rogers is included in the trail plan. We definitely need access this as well
Please do not put hard pavement down. It is hard on runners and creates a dangerous situation with bikes going to fast!
I am a heavy user of the trails in/around Maple Grove and Elm Creek park for biking, walking and dog walks. I have routes going south I would love to travel (Eagle Lake and beyond) but the lack of trail access prevents me from roaming farther without roadside riding. Maple Grove is continuing to grow in population at an incredible pace, clogging the sidewalks and road sides (which are not designed for bikers at all). The trails around Elm Creek are heavily used every single day and providing alternatives would be a great breathe of fresh air. Thank you for considering the link of Elm Creek to both this plan and for the Eagle to Bryan Lake proposal. both are excellent choices that I know will energize many communities.
I love the Dakota Regional Trail for cycling. I just wish that there was a proposal for a connection from the end of this trail in Lester Prairie to the trail in Hutchinson! In regards to the proposal for a northbound route from Wayzata, I'm happy that another trail is being considered. Some of the things I love about the Dakota Trail that I hope would also be implemented into the new trail plan include: 1. Awesome pavement 2. Not a bunch of roads to cross. I purposely avoid the Gateway Trail in St. Paul due to the number of roads that one has to stop at to cross streets. 3. Must say I really like the flat land. 4. Lakes - it is nice how although the Dakota trail passes many lakes, it stays on its own route - not like some lakes in Mpls areas which have all these curvy bike lanes that are truly a nuisance! 5. I would not want a trail that is parallel to a road that has multiple curb cuts to cross roads - these seem more of a hazard than a mode of safety. THanks for letting me share my thoughts.
I am very supportive of development of the Diamond Lake Regional Trail. While I believe that the most direct connection between the Dakota and Luce Line trails would be Ferndale Road I'm concerned that the narrowness of the road and apparent lack of additional right-of-way will make it challenging to create a separate and safe trail between Lake Street and Wayzata Boulevard. The alternative Barry Street route is much wider and already incorporates a dedicated bike lane. This area has additional on and off street parking options which might even include weekend parking at the Met Transit Park and Ride lot. Finally diverting trail traffic to the east would encourage more users to explore the shops, restaurants, and other amenities of Wayzata
I am not very familiar with the variety of proposed routes. My husband and I use three rivers biking trails several times per week, so in general I would prefer a trail that is mostly wooded, has the least number of road crossings, has stops of interest such as local cafes, restaurants or breweries. I am excited to see this trail developed! Thank you for your work and dedication, I appreciate it greatly!