Fairfax, Franklin,

Morton people

meet

FRANKLIN - Citizens from Fairfax, Franklin and Morton met with officials from the University of Minnesota Center for Changing Landscapes Nov. 18 at Cedar Mountain Elementary School.

Citizens agreed that a trail west of Fort Ridgely State Park to Morton, along the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway, along Nicollet County Road 21 that becomes Renville County Road 5 and 11, would be ideal.

Everyone at the meeting agreed that the trail should be designed as a loop.

Fairfax participants talked about a new trail to include the horse camp south of Fairfax.

Franklin participants favored a trail passing by Dale, Central Lutheran and the Finnish churches.

Morton participants discussed a trail including Birch Cooley State Park, east on County Road 2, County Road 3 to State Highway 19, County Road 16 and County Road 5.

The trail proposals will be considered along with ideas from other Renville County communities by Changing Landscapes Director Mary C. Vogel and her assistants.

Renville County Trail Planning discussions center on enabling each city to have their own trail loop hub connection to a larger trail system that would extend to neighboring counties and cities.

Franklin historian Dan Fjeld said trail development can help the area in and around Fort Ridgely State Park and other county landmarks become more of a destination, not just a pass-through.