Tim Witzmann started off by telling the club that the St Croix trails Coalition is a Grassroots effort to create a coordinated bike and pedestrian trail network in St Croix County WI. The current situation is that WI “trails” behind MN in bike and walking options. He also pointed out that biking and walking are great activities to maintain good health. Tim also note that safety is important when riding or walking. Finally, the Coalition works to promote the benefits of trails to tourism and commerce in the county.
The group works to take advantage of grants through Transportation Alternatives, and they coordinate with WisDOT plans to advocate for a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support local programs for bike & ped facilities. The Loop Trail is an interstate 4.7 mile trail that crosses the St Croix River using the old lift bridge and the new bridge, and it represents both a model and an opportunity for tie-ins to trails within Wisconsin.
The Trails Coalition has also installed bike racks in various places in St Croix County, and they supported an art bench project at a key point along the trail near Houlton. Other supported programs include the library backpacks, based out of Hudson. Backpacks are in 16 libraries in St Croix and Pierce Counties. Packs contain tools, booklets, park passes, and information on things to look for along trail.
Bike to School Day is another program that the SC Coalition has supported. Making the event safe requires coordination with local law enforcement regarding traffic controls for kids riding where vehicles are a concern.
The Loop Trail bridges are the lift bridge and new bridge south of Stillwater. Currently there is not much beyond the loop in WI. To address that lack, the group’s goal is to create a trail from Houlton to N Hudson, with a branch to the east connecting to Willow River State Park.
The Lake Mallalieu Trestle Project is a long-time labor of love. There is an existing trestle near the dam that forms the lake. Mark Gherty described the need to convince officials of the value of bicycling in WI. Economic impact has been estimated at $1.42B. The old railroad trestle is within the protected National Park Service conservation zone along the St Croix River. A suitable surface on the trestle will allow pedestrian, bike, and even wheelchair uses. Mark also showed a map of the proposed trail from the south side of Hudson along Glover Road, past Mann Valley, onto County U and then into River Falls.
To see a map, look at page 5 of th report:
https://www.sccwi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7191/Eckert-Blufflands-Park-Plan-Powerpoint-Overview
About the Speakers: The presenters today have both been members of the Board of Directors almost from the outset in 2013. Tim Witzmann currently serves as the Chairperson of the Coalition's Communications Committee and is also a past Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors. He also currently serves as a member of the Town of Somerset's Town Board. Mark Gherty, a lifelong resident of and attorney in the Hudson area, is a past Chairperson of the Coalition's Communications Committee. He's been advocating for trail connections in the area for almost 40 years and is currently leading an especially interesting effort regarding the Union Pacific Railroad Trestle between the City of Hudson and the Village of North Hudson. Both have extensive knowledge of trails in the area and beyond. Susan Heuiser will also be in attendance as well but not in a speaking role. She has been the Coalition Board of Directors Secretary since the group was founded.