walking/biking trails (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Eagan: HOA, neighborhoods, university)

[ferr0052]

What areas of minneapolis/st. paul and their suburbs would you advise to be the best area to live in for those who enjoy walking/biking trails. I'm referencing private walking and/or biking trails that would be weaved in and out of neighborhood communities.

Thanks so much in advance!

[DaPerpKazoo]

Private trails that weave in and out of neighborhood communities?

I fail to understand how a private trail can exist in a neighborhood.

[uptown_urbanist]

I'm not sure what you mean, but living somewhere near the Midtown Greenway (bike/walking trail), the river, or the lakes (and probably some areas north, but don't know those myself) will give you all of that. Minneapolis (and the TC in general) is very well-served by bike trails. The paths around the lake and on the Greenway aren't private in terms of ownership, but they are separated from roads (i.e. not bike lanes) if that's what you mean.

[golfgal]

Rosemount, Apple Valley and Eagan all have extensive sidewalk/bike trail systems. They intermix along main roads and into neighborhoods. You also have the bonus between Eagan and Apple Valley to take the trails through the county park if you want a little off road biking or walking. There are many, many people out here that bike, walk and run along the trails. Highway 3 south of Rosemount to Northfield and County Road 46 are very popular bike routes too.

[Gibby3000]

Here's a good resource for trails. When you say private, you don't mean HOA trails do you? I know when I was looking at moving to KC that was common there - and there were very few county or regional trail systems - as there are in Mpls/St. Paul.

Minneapolis Area Hiking - Hikes

[Camden Northsider]

Yes- when I hear "private" trails, I think 1-2 miles surrounding "master planned" suburban developments that generally always culminate in circling a manmade lake/ drainage ditch. Minnesota (and Minneapolis) is known for its extensive parks system, so we're pretty spoiled with our public parks/ trails here.

These are the trails that we enjoy from our neighborhood (I'm not sure if they meet the definition of weaving in and out of neighborhood communities as they are fairly linear, but most are in or directly adjacent to multiple neighborhood areas):

Victory Memorial Parkway – Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway (which is currently being restored/ upgraded- info here (http://wcco.com/local/victory.memorial.parkway.2.1072611.html - broken link)) which connects to Webber Park which connects to North Mississippi Regional Park. Also, besides connecting to Victory Park here in the n'hood, Victory Memorial Parkway also connects to the parkway to the south that leads to Theodore Wirth Park and runs only a couple of blocks south of Ryan Lake (victory neighborhood- see trail development plans here) and a few blocks east of Crystal Lake in Robbinsdale (which similarly has trails, dock, park areas). There are some more areas but the above represents some of the bigger areas around here (and in Minneapolis).

[kuan]

So far I think Minnetonka has the best trail system so far.

Trails: Minnetonka Public Works

Call me Minnesotan, but I don't "get" private walking trails.

[Ben Around]

In Highland Pk. we have access to a huge system of walking and bike trails (many are separated). You can go for miles in any direction without going on a street or even a sidewalk: to either downtown, to the Minneapolis lakes, along both sides of the Mississippi River, along Minnehaha Creek, to Hidden Falls, to Crosby Farm Nature Preserve, to the Greenway, to Fort Snelling State Park, to the University and Dinkytown, the list goes on and on. People drive into the city from all over to ride and walk on them, but I can get to them by walking or riding 5 blocks from my house.

They are public, not private. The only private trail I know of is the Cannon Valley Bike Trail.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by Ben Around

In Highland Pk. we have access to a huge system of walking and bike trails (many are separated). You can go for miles in any direction without going on a street or even a sidewalk: to either downtown, to the Minneapolis lakes, along both sides of the Mississippi River, along Minnehaha Creek, to Hidden Falls, to Crosby Farm Nature Preserve, to the Greenway, to Fort Snelling State Park, to the University and Dinkytown, the list goes on and on. People drive into the city from all over to ride and walk on them, but I can get to them by walking or riding 5 blocks from my house.

They are public, not private. The only private trail I know of is the Cannon Valley Bike Trail.

I think Afton and Buck Hill have some private trails that are primarily mountian bike oriented. I have riden at Afton and it is failry technical and demanding.

Another public trail not mentioned is the Gateway trail which goes from Stillwater to Lake Phalen or there abouts. It is around 17 miles long and it does meander in and out of the city, through some burbs and out into the country. Very nice trail.

[ferr0052]

Sorry guys, when I said private--I was thinking private meaning away from public streets. Such as broad sidewalks that lead to a park. River front road in Minneapolis/St. Paul would be a perfect example. I was just wondering if there were other areas in the suburbs that would have the equivalent.

Thanks for the responses so far!