New Ulm has long held an easement for the bike and pedestrian path through South Park, however the path was never paved or delineated. The easement for the path was put in place in 1998 and closely abuts the former Target parking lot. The path connects from 18th S. Street and runs through the Target parking lots to 20th S. Street.

In Dec. 2024, the city revised the easement for the path. Since the early easement was put in place, part of the designated path eroded into a nearby ravine and new legal alignment was required. The new path follows the curb line of the former Target building. The easement update was done in advance of further development of the trail.

City Engineer Joe Stadheim said that last week installation of a physical path is underway. The new path runs through a section of South Park located adjacent to the former Target building. Stadheim said the path technically continues through the lower level of the former Target parking lot as it continues to S. 20th Street. The city does intend to add new striping in the parking lot to better delineate the path for pedestrians and bikers.

Stadheim said the city wanted to make the path ahead of any further redevelopment of the Target property to make it clear where the easement is located. Pedestrians and bicyclists are allowed to access the space.

A small segment of New Ulm’s pedestrian/bike path will be paved and marked for the first time. This segment of the path begins at 18 S. Street and cuts through a portion of South Park leading to the former Target Parking lot. The parking lot will also receiving additional striping to mark the path connecting to 20th S. Street.

This section of the pedestrian and bicycle path represents a portion of the 12-mile loop around New Ulm. Half of the loop is on dedicated pathway, with the other half located on shared road spaces.

Stadheim said this latest improvement to the path is relatively small, but he said every little bit helps.

New concret was added to a turn segment on the pedestrian/bike path. This turn segment is located in the lower level of the former Target parking lot.