Baudette Area Trails Plan
A Collaboration between the City of Baudette and
Lake of the Woods County
February 2012
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Table of Contents
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................. 1
Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................... 2
Section 1 – Introduction ......................................................................................................... 3
Vision of a healthy and Active Baudette Area ..................................................................................3
Section 2 – Community Assessment ....................................................................................... 5
Active Living Context ......................................................................................................................5
Active Living Commitment ..............................................................................................................5
Strengths and Weaknesses .............................................................................................................5
Opportunities and Challenges ...............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Destinations ...................................................................................................................................9
Section 3 – Pedestrian and Bicycle Standards ....................................................................... 11
Purpose .......................................................................................................................................11
Jurisdiction/Authority ..................................................................................................................11
Overview of Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities ................................................................................11
Section 4 – The Plan ............................................................................................................. 15
Vision ..........................................................................................................................................15
Goals and Policies ........................................................................................................................15
The Plan .......................................................................................................................................16
Section 5 – Implementation Approach ................................................................................. 22
Appendix A: Adoption .......................................................................................................... 23
City of Baudette Active Living Resolution (2011-03) .......................................................................23
Lake of the Woods County Active Living Resolution (2011-01-09) ..................................................25
Appendix B: Lake of the Woods County Walking Audit ......................................................... 27
Purpose .......................................................................................................................................27
Approach .....................................................................................................................................27
Description ..................................................................................................................................27
The following are major themes from the walk audit: ...................................................................28
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Acknowledgements
This plan represents a first step towards developing trails system that creates a positive atmosphere
for physical activity, recreation, and play in and around the City of Baudette. This project would not
have been possible without the support of many partners.
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation provided resources essential for the completion of this Trails
Plan. The Foundation’s commitment to help the City of Baudette and Lake of the Woods County
succeed is gratefully acknowledged and appreciated.
This project also could not have been possible without the support of the Minnesota Department of
Health (MDH), which is leading the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP).
Baudette City Council
• Rick Rone, Mayor
• Joel Hanson
• Greg Johnson
• Brock Stebakken
• Steve Johnson
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Lake of the Woods County
Board
• Todd Beckel
• Tom Hanson
• Ken Moorman
• Patricia Beckel
• Edward Arnesen
City/County Staff
• Tina Rennemo, City
of Baudette
Clerk/Treasurer
• Tim Erickson, Lake of
the Woods County
Engineer
Baudette Area Trails Plan
Section 1 – Introduction
The Baudette Area Trails plan is a follow up to a regional planning effort that targeted health and
wellness. The Headwaters Regional Development Commission worked in partnership with the North
County Health Board and Lake of the Woods County Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP)
collaborative in 2009 to develop a plan to create active communities by increasing opportunities for
non-motorized transportation (walking and biking) and increasing access to community recreation
facilities. On a walk audit in June 2009, the Lake of the Woods Local Ship Leadership Team expressed the
need for an extensive community-wide strategic trails plan for the Baudette Area. This effort introduced
a fundamental change in the way transportation and health has been traditionally considered, and
provides a unique opportunity for new partnerships.
While the SHIP effort was beneficial in framing the issue of Active Living, the intent of this plan is to
create a solid set of strategies to improve the trails system with a focus on inspiring all citizens and
visitors of Lake of the Woods to become more physically active. The geographic scope of this plan
includes the City of Baudette and the surrounding area, including the resort area near Wheelers Point
and Zippel Bay State Park.
Vision of a Healthy and Active Baudette Area
As a part of the planning process, the public was asked to consider what a healthy and active Baudette
Area would look like in 20 years. The following is the vision that was created.
General Vision– People are healthier and visibly more active in the community; they bike to work, they
walk to school and the grocery store, and they use the local streets and trail system for exercise.
Vision of Infrastructure – The built environment has been modified. These modifications allow people
to move safely and conveniently around the community on their own power; helping the community to
rely on automobiles less and less. The following infrastructure modifications are part of this vision.
• Well-connected trails and sidewalks allow all people to access their destinations using their own
power.
• A trail connects downtown Baudette to Lake of the Woods and further to Zippel Bay State Park.
• Highway 11 has several well marked crosswalks.
• Roads are well maintained and clean (including snow removal).
• Pedestrian scale lighting has been installed in downtown, near the school and health center, and
other places.
• Downtown and other commercial areas have nice plantings, landscaping, and inviting
streetscapes.
• Bicycle lanes connect residential, commercial, and public spaces.
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Systems and Behavior Changes – Improvements to infrastructure have inspired people to be more
physically active, using the improved infrastructure for human powered transportation, resulting
in the following:
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Ample outdoor activities for people of all ages.
More physical education classes offered that focus on life-long activity.
Laws that ensure safety for bicycles and motor vehicles are enforced.
No tickets are issued because pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers of motor vehicles all
understand and respect each other.
Bicyclists have the skills and ability to bicycle safely in traffic.
Bicyclists wear helmets.
Restaurants routinely offer healthy choices.
The City of Baudette, Lake of the Woods County and other organizations are routinely partners
to implement projects.
This vision is an ideal scenario for the purpose of making the Baudette Area a premier community for
physical activity that complements other outdoor recreation activities, such as fishing and hunting. The
remainder of this plan outlines how this vision can become a reality over the next several years.
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Baudette Area Trails Plan
Section 2 – Community Assessment
Active Living in and Near Baudette
Active Living is a way of life that incorporates physical activity
into daily routines. Active Living is part of an important effort
in Lake of the Woods County to improve the overall health and
wellness of residents. With rising rates of obesity, type-2
diabetes, and other chronic diseases such as chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, it is increasingly imperative to
provide convenient opportunities for people to be physically
active and access healthy foods.
Community design plays a significant role in determining how people move around. Active living
principles suggest that more people will bicycle or walk if communities build infrastructure that makes it
easy, safe, and convenient for people to get to their destinations, including school, work, and the
grocery store among many destinations.
In order to build a community that supports physical activity, the status quo around funding, designing,
and building transportation infrastructure needs to change. It is not practical to expect that all roads
will be reconstructed to include new sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and separated trails. This is often not
necessary or possible. Context of transportation needs and socio-economic conditions is an important
consideration. Active Living is about considering the needs of all transportation users (bicyclists,
pedestrians, motor vehicles, and transit users), including all ages and abilities, on all future
transportation projects.
Active Living Commitment
The Headwaters Regional Development Commission presented an Active Living Resolutions to both the
City of Baudette (February 14, 2011) and Lake of the Woods County (January 25, 2011). Both
resolutions were passed unanimously. Copies of these resolutions are included in Appendix A.
The Active Living Resolution articulates a commitment to finding creative ways to fund and construct
infrastructure that makes physical activity more safe and convenient. It also is a reflection of the City’s
and County’s commitment to embrace the vision of an active and healthy community. There is no
mandate in the resolution or specific requirements to spend money on projects without an appropriate
funding source.
Strategic Assessment
The following strategic assessment provides raw material for plan development.
Existing Strengths, Weaknesses. Recognized as the “Walleye Capital of the World”, Lake of the Woods
County is an attractive place for residents and seasonal tourists. Lake of the Woods County is known for
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its year round fishing and numerous recreation opportunities, including nearby Zippel Bay State Park,
Beltrami Island State Park and three beautiful municipal parks. The core of Baudette is largely walkable
with a multi-use trail that provides access to Timber Mill Park and downtown. A major effort to
complete a multi-use trail to the school on the west side of town has been a priority for years and was
completed in 2011.
The trails plan Steering Committee helped identify both strengths and weaknesses of the existing system
in Baudette and Lake of the Woods County. The assessment went beyond the physical components of
the system and included observations about the overall environment for physical activity in the area.
Strengths
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Trails – Baudette is home to a new multi-use trail connecting the school on and Timber Mill Park
Three municipal parks – Timber Mill Park, Peace Park, and Bay Front Park
Compact Downtown – Baudette has a compact downtown which makes for ease when walking
and biking to destinations.
School Activity – Baudette School serves as a community center offering a tennis court, weight
room, pool, and indoor track.
Baudette is in close proximity to Zippel Bay State Park
and Beltrami Island State Forest
Weaknesses
•
•
•
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Connectivity – The recently constructed trail has
significantly improved pedestrian and bicycle
connections in Baudette. There are still several areas,
however, that do not have proper accommodations for
bicyclists or walkers.
Safety – Baudette has a lack of safe crossing for
pedestrians and bicyclists, particularly on Highway 11.
Bicycle safety – There is a lack of bicycle education in the area. Children often do no wear
helmets for fear of being laughed at.
Large truck traffic – Highway 11 is a major corridor for truck traffic passing through Baudette.
This is disconcerting for pedestrians that want to cross the highway.
Future Opportunities, Challenges. There are many opportunities to improve
the trails system in the Baudette Area. The list below includes several
opportunities and projects that are relatively easy to implement that will
improve the quality of place in Baudette. There are also challenges that
could hinder the development of the system if they are not addressed.
Opportunities
Non-Motorized Transportation Infrastructure. The basic scope of this plan is
to create a robust trails system. Given an interest in Active Living and
improving long term health outcomes, there is also a need to consider other
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Baudette Area Trails Plan
forms of non-motorized transportation infrastructure. This will help provide connections to destinations
for all people in Baudette, regardless of their age or ability.
There are a variety of improvements that can be made to the transportation system to make it easier for
people to move around in the community, ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.
Some improvements can be made using the City or County’s general fund. Other improvements will
require securing external transportation funding, such as Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to
School, or the Parks and Trails Legacy Grant Program. Developing a complete streets policy would help
ensure that all future projects consider the needs of all transportation users, regardless of age or ability.
Infrastructure Opportunities for the City of Baudette and Lake of the Woods County:
• Bicycle Racks – Bike-related amenities such as bike racks can increase the usage of bike paths
and trails. Bicycle racks could be placed at destinations that are likely to draw bicyclists,
including the school, downtown, and other commercial or public establishments.
• Bikeways – There is a great opportunity to create bikeways without
significantly altering existing roadways. This can often be
accomplished by using paint and signage to delineate bicycle routes,
bicycle lanes, or wide shoulders.
• Crosswalks – Well-marked crosswalks can also increase pedestrian
traffic.
• Pedestrian scaled lighting and streetscaping – Pedestrian scale
lighting and improvements to the streetscape could be targeted in
the downtown area. This is the most likely place for pedestrians to
use on a daily basis. There are also economic development
implications to improving the appearance of downtown.
• Sidewalks – The first step with sidewalks should be a policy discussion with the community to
determine how valuable sidewalks are to residents in the City of Baudette. If they are
warranted, they should be a part of future road projects that connect residential areas to
downtown, school, and/or medical facilities.
• Connector Trail Development – There is much interest in developing a trail to the Clementson
Bridge, along with a rehabilitation of the wayside park. There are also opportunities for trail
connections in the resort area, particularly between the golf course and Wheelers Point.
• Future Highway 172 Improvements – There is a possibility of working with the Mn/DOT District
2 office to ensure that any reconstruction or paving project meets the standards of the
Complete Streets Law. The relevant action for Highway 172 will likely focus on shoulder width
to allow bicyclist to safely share the right-of-way with fast moving motor vehicles.
Active Living Culture - There are opportunities to build an Active Living culture in Baudette. Pedestrian
and bicycle infrastructure alone will not guarantee an active and healthy population. It is important to
build a positive culture that embraces and encourages physical activity. This effort will take the whole
community to be successful.
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It is important to build relationships among individuals and organizations that are passionate about
health and wellness. Active Living is a comprehensive effort that cannot be taken on by one entity
exclusively. Individuals and organizations should partner to identify a variety of funding opportunities to
complete projects.
It is essential that people are aware of the importance of incorporating physical activity into their daily
routines as a part of a healthy lifestyle. This can be accomplished through education, skill building, and
increasing awareness of opportunities to be physically active in the public environment. The following
are a variety of events and promotions that can be effective at raising
awareness of health and wellness in the community:
• Organize active events, including bike/walk to work, non-competitive
walking programs, 5k walk/runs, or organized community bicycle
rides.
• Implement employee wellness programs to entice workers to be
healthy in their place of employment.
• Organize a walking school bus – A walking school bus consists of a
group of children who walk (or bike) to school together with the
supervision and participation of one or more adults.
• Offer a bicycle rodeo – A bicycle rodeo is hosted by skilled adult bicyclists that teach children the
skills necessary to be comfortable and safe while bicycling.
Highlighting Safety - Events to highlight walking and bicycle safety should be held regularly. Events
could include: walking school bus, helmet education, and bicycle rodeos.
Partnerships - Baudette has the opportunity to build on their existing partnerships and possibly
collaborate to create a strong group of individuals in support of active living in the community.
Political Support - There is an opportunity to educate and inform elected officials about the importance
of active living in the community of Baudette. Both the City of Baudette and Lake of the Woods County
have signed Active Living Resolutions, indicating their support for Active Living. The next step is to work
together to improve the environment to encourage physical activity.
Challenges
Culture of inactivity - One of the main challenges is a culture that is increasingly sedentary. Obesity and
other preventable diseases such as Type-2 Diabetes have increased rapidly over the past few decades in
the United States. This is largely because of the types of foods people eat and a lack of physical activity.
One of the primary intended benefits of building a high quality parks and trails system is to help reverse
this trend.
Finding Champions - Many initiatives require a strong community steward that is willing to take charge
of a community issue and not rest until they have succeeded in accomplishing their goal. A challenge is
often finding the right champions in communities.
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Baudette Area Trails Plan
Budgets at the local, state, and federal level -The costs associated with infrastructure are often a
burden for many communities. It is important to take advantage of existing transportation funding
sources to incorporate non-motorized transportation infrastructure. In light of the 2008 recession, the
past few years have caused government at all levels to rethink the status quo of funding and budgets.
With less money and growing needs, funding non-motorized projects is a major challenge regardless of
how important they improvement is to the community.
Lack of partnerships between agencies/organizations - Given the current economic times, it is even
more important to develop strong partnerships and collaborate on projects that are mutually beneficial
across jurisdictions. This type of cooperation is often a challenge because it takes a lot of patience and
work. Some of the best outcomes, particularly when finances are tight, occur when there is
collaboration.
Destinations
The primary goal of this plan is to present a set of strategies that will make it easy for people to access
destinations in the Baudette area without relying on their car, regardless of their age or ability. The
following is a description of destination areas in Baudette, followed by the Destinations Map on the next
page.
Baudette Area Destinations
The City of Baudette is laid out in a
grid pattern surrounding downtown.
There are short blocks with few culde-sacs that could bottleneck traffic
and cause conflict points for
pedestrians. Highway 11 creates at
least a perceived barrier to accessing
destinations on either side of the
highway. In the City of Baudette,
the speed limit is 30mph on the
highway and there is a lack of
marked crossings.
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Outlining destinations areas in the Baudette Area:
• Downtown
• Fairgrounds
• Timber Mill Park
• Peace Park
• Bay Front Park
• Hockey Arena
• City Hall
• Historic Depot
• Courthouse
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Post Office
Library
Lake of the Woods County Museum
Hospital
1st Lutheran Church
Catholic Church
Many restaurants and other
commercial/retail establishments
Resort
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Baudette Area Trails Plan
Section 3 – Pedestrian and Bicycle Standards
Purpose
The purpose of this section is to provide an overview of basic standards for pedestrian and bicycle
infrastructure. Ultimately, it will be up to the Baudette City Council or Lake of the Woods County Board
to set the policy direction and select projects for implementation. The City’s consulting engineer and/or
Lake of the Woods County Engineer should ensure that proper standards are followed.
Documents used in this analysis:
• The Mn/DOT Bikeway Facility Design Manual (2007)
• The Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (2005)
• The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guide for the
Development of Bicycle Facilities (1999)
• The AASHTO Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities (2004)
Jurisdiction/Authority
This plan is outlines an approach to making the Baudette area more bikeable and walkable. There are
many different types of roads with varying standards in the area, including City, County, and Mn/DOT
right-of-way. A significant amount of the roads in Baudette are considered local and have greater
flexibility than State-Aid roads. Projects that utilize grant funds, such as Transportation Enhancements
or Parks and Trails Legacy, also will have specific standards.
Overview of Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
Shared use bicycle paths (or multi-use trails or bicycle trails)
Description - A shared-use path is typically located on exclusive right-of-way, with no fixed objects in the
pathway and minimal cross flow by motor vehicles. The official definitions for shared-use paths and
trails are different according to official transportation guides. For the purpose of this trails plan, the
terms “shared-use paths,” “multi-use trails,” and “bicycle trails” will be used interchangeably, and will
generally refer to infrastructure that has a transportation purpose.
Analysis - Shared-use paths have a wide variety of potential users, including bicyclists, in-line skaters,
wheel chair users, pedestrians, and others. While avid bicyclists may prefer to be on the road, the
shared-use path serves a large majority of the population because of the convenience and added safety
of being separated from motor vehicle traffic.
There are a variety of factors that influence the appropriate width of a shared-use path. The standard
width for a shared-use path is 10 feet. There are several instances when greater or lesser width is
appropriate. For example, 12 feet is appropriate with two-way bicycle travel with frequent pedestrian
use. An 8 foot width is appropriate when pedestrian use is likely to be infrequent. The final design
should be based on project-specific evaluation by an engineer.
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Sidewalks
Description - The Uniform Vehicle Code defines a sidewalk as that portion of a street between the curb
lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines, intended for use by pedestrians.
Sidewalks usually have a hard surface, but can also be constructed of compacted aggregate. To comply
with ADA guidelines, newly constructed, reconstructed, or altered sidewalks must be accessible to
persons with disabilities.
Analysis - The minimum clear width for a sidewalk is 4 feet, exclusive of the curb. To accommodate
wheelchair users, the widths should be 5 feet. There are many situations where more than 5 foot width
is beneficial, such as a central business district. Similar to other pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure
improvements, final design should come from the City’s consulting engineer and be based on specific
conditions on the ground.
Sidewalks have the clear benefit of providing pedestrians a safe place to walk that is physically removed
from the roadway. Sidewalks are generally the best choice for pedestrians. They are most effective at
generating pedestrian traffic when they connect residential areas to popular destinations. Connectivity
of sidewalks is as important to a pedestrian as roadway connections are to motorists.
Despite the clear benefits, sidewalks can prove to be a tricky policy issue for many cities. It is important
to be proactive and intentional about when and where to include sidewalks in the overall road network.
The best time to construct sidewalks is often when a roadway is already being constructed or
reconstructed.
Bicycle Lane
Description - A Bike lane is a portion of the roadway or shoulder designated for
exclusive or preferential use by people using bicycles. Bicycle lanes are distinguished
from the portion of the roadway or shoulder used for motor vehicle traffic by
striping, marking, or other similar techniques.
Analysis - Bicycle lanes provide increased separation from motor vehicle traffic and
accommodate bicyclists better than shared lanes or wide outside lanes (described below). Bicycle lanes
remind motorists that they should expect bicyclists. They also can make bicyclists feel like they belong
on the roadway and that they should feel safe and confident on the road. Bicycle lanes should be one
way and go in the same direction as the motor vehicle traffic.
Bicycle lanes are designed and built differently based on factors on the ground. The following are some
basic dimensions given different scenarios:
• Typical bicycle lane – minimum width of 5 feet.
• Bicycle lane with a curb and standard gutter pan – minimum continuous width of 3 feet,
preferably 4 feet, of smooth rideable surface.
• Bicycle lane with a curb and no gutter pan – minimum width of 4 feet of smooth rideable
surface
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Baudette Area Trails Plan
•
•
•
•
Bicycle lane with on street motor vehicle parallel parking – bicycle lane should ideally be 6 feet
wide
Bicycle lane when right-of-way is constrained – barring any restrictions, travel lanes and parking
lanes can be reduced. The following respectively outlines dimensions of a 48 and 44 foot rightof-way:
48 feet of right-of-way: 11 foot lanes, 5 foot bike lanes, 8 foot parking lanes (and 30 miles-perhour speed limit)
44 feet of right-of-way: 10 foot lanes, 5 foot bike lanes, 7 foot parking lanes (and 30 miles-perhour speed limit)
Paved Shoulders
Description - The shoulder is the edge or border of a roadway that is contiguous with, and on the same
level as, the regularly traveled lanes. The width of a shoulder bikeway and separation from the travel
lane depend primarily on roadway motor vehicle speed and traffic volume.
Analysis – Bicyclists require a paved surface for operation. Any unpaved shoulder width does not
accommodate bicycles. The minimum width to accommodate bicyclists is 4 feet and should be wider in
places where more bicyclists are expected. Paved shoulders are not ideal or practical in urban corridors
that have parking spots and a large amount of commercial destinations. They are more appropriate in
rural settings.
Shared lanes
Description – Shared lanes are streets and highways with no special provision on the roadway for
bicyclists. On any roadway where a bicycle may legally be operated, bicycles may need to share a travel
lane with motor vehicles if the road does not have a bike lane, a paved shoulder or a separate shareduse path.
Analysis – A shared travel lane may be an appropriate bikeway on some low-speed, low-volume streets
or roads. Where a shared lane is intended to be part of a bike route, it should be signed as a bikeway to
direct bicyclists and inform motorists. They often feature 12 foot lane widths or less with no shoulders.
Wide outside lane
Description – A wide outside lane (the right-most traffic lane) is shared by bicyclists and
motorists but designed with extra width to accommodate bicycles. A wide outside lane
(WOL) should be no less than 4.2 meters (14 feet) and no more than 4.8 meters (16 feet)
wide.
Analysis – A WOL is appropriate if a striped bicycle lane does not fit because of right-ofway constraints or other reasons. This treatment is beneficial to bicyclists because
motorists will not have to change lanes to pass. There is also more maneuvering room for
bicyclists. A potential drawback of the WOL option is that it may encourage an increase in traffic speed.
Experienced adult bicyclists have a better chance of feeling comfortable in a WOL than children or
inexperienced adults.
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The following WOL widths are recommended:
• WOL width of 14 feet is appropriate where vehicle speeds are 35mph or less.
• WOL width of 15-16 feet is appropriate where vehicle speeds are 40mph or greater, or where
bicyclists need extra maneuvering room.
• WOL widths of greater than 16 feet are not recommended because drivers may try to form two
travel lanes.
Bicycle Signage
Description – Chapter 9 of the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices outlines traffic controls for bicycle facilities.
Analysis – Proper pedestrian and bicycle signage can make people comfortable,
safe, informed, and confident. There is a wide variety of bicycle and pedestrian
signs that serve a number of purposes, including bike route, bike lane, share the
road, stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, and bicycles use shoulder.
Crosswalks
Description – AASHTO describes crosswalks as serving as the pedestrian right-ofway across a street. An intersection crosswalk is defined as the extension of a
sidewalk or shoulder across an intersection, whether it is marked or not. A
sidewalk is also any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere that is
distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the
surface.
Analysis – Marked crosswalks are one tool to get pedestrians safely across the
street, though they are often best used in combination with other treatments.
They are most effective when part of a system that includes other treatments, such as sidewalks or
shared use paths. If the speed limit is relatively high (40 mph or higher) and there are no pedestrian
facilities leading up to the intersection, a marked crosswalk may not be the best option.
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Section 4 – The Plan
The purpose of this plan is to act as a catalyst to create change in Baudette and Lake of the Woods
County in the field of active living. The primary leverage tools are three fold:
• Infrastructure Improvements
• Policy Framework
• Activity Recommendations
The previous sections provided background information key to this planning process, reviewed the
results of an environmental scan, and offered an assessment as to the existing status of bike and
pedestrian infrastructure. This section builds on this work by providing a strategic direction for the
future.
This strategic direction starts with a desired future statement and goals that act as a guidepost for plan
development. These are followed by narrative that describes changes that have been agreed to in each
of the three areas listed above. Finally, the section ends with a listing of specific strategies that, when
implemented, will create a better future.
Vision
The Baudette/Lake of the Woods County community will be a model for those rural areas that
want to align their resources behind infrastructure and activity improvements to create a more
healthy and active population.
Goals and Policies
Following are goals and policies that serve as a framework for the remainder of this plan. The goals
describe the desired active living future of Baudette/Lake of the Woods Community in general terms.
The policies are statements of intent that serve to inform future decisions that relate to this area of the
community’s development. These aspirations will be reflected in the subsequent objectives and
strategies.
Goals
• New infrastructure improvements reflect a strategic commitment to the principles discussed in
this plan.
• Future decisions reflect an awareness and commitment to policies that promote active living
principles.
• A diverse range of people and organizations provide leadership that moves the Community
towards its active living goals.
Policies
• Transportation policy will reflect a desire to create and support an Active Living environment.
• Planned road improvements will consider the feasibility and importance of accommodating all
modes of transportation, including users of all abilities.
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•
The City and County Capital Improvement Program (CIP) will be used to allocate resources for
improvements.
The Plan
This section of the plan has three components. The first component, infrastructure, describes physical
improvements that are recommended to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. These improvements
are divided into two parts: 1) improvements to the backbone trail corridor that traverses the
Community west to east, and 2) the potential connector trails emanating from this trail.
The second section of this plan, increasing activity, briefly discusses types of activities that could be
made part of the community’s long-term effort.
The final component outlines specific objectives and strategies that, when implemented, can help the
community get traction on its aspirations to be a healthy and active community.
Infrastructure
Backbone Trail – The backbone trail traverses the
community for approximately three miles from the school
on the west end, to Timber Mill Park on the east. The trail
connects many major destinations and is a major amenity
for a community interested in increasing the physical
activity of its population.
The focus in this section of the plan is not on adding a large
number of miles of trail; rather, it is focused on promoting
the trail as a safe and attractive route with numerous active
living opportunities associated with it. Enhancing the use
of the existing facility will be more cost-effective than
adding an increasing number of miles of trails.
This following section divides the trail into three segments:
segment #1 is from the west end to the downtown;
segment #2 is from downtown to Baudette Bay; and
segment #3 is from Baudette Bay to Timber Mill Park.
Segment #1: School to Western Edge of downtown – This segment of the trail provides significant
opportunities: it traverses an area that is only partially developed, there is adequate room for other
amenities and activities, and it connects downtown with the school—both key destinations. The
emphasis on this section is to broaden the audience that will use the trail by adding various amenities.
The key improvements are as follows:
•
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Exercise Stations that can be used by all generations will be built adjacent to the trail. While
many people will use the trail for walking or biking, others may use the trail because of other
Baudette Area Trails Plan
•
•
•
•
adjacent facilities. This segment of the trail offers very good opportunities for this type of
enhancement.
Lighting will be provided, particularly along the sections of the trail that are not adjacent to the
highway. The time that this trail can be used can be lengthened, and the trail can also be made
more inviting for certain segments of the population with this amenity.
Wayfinding signage will be provided to identify the high school, downtown, and Timber Mill
Park, along with distances to each destination.
The local population knows where they are, but
the distance to other facilities will be a useful
addition for exercise purposes.
A landscaping plan will be developed and
implemented that enhances the visual
appearance of the trail, integrates it into the
community, and gives yet another reason for
use. Landscaping makes this a more attractive
destination, and can contribute to broadening
the user groups that will find the trail
attractive.
Interpretive signage will be considered as part of the overall landscaping. The Baudette area has
a rich history that can be taken advantage of in this effort.
Segment #2: Western Edge of Downtown to Baudette Bay. This segment of the trail traverses an area
that is fully developed, creating both constraints and additional opportunities. The emphasis on this
section is to enhance safety and add landscaping amenities. The key improvements are as follows:
• Provide pedestrian scale lighting and streetscaping amenities including benches and attractive
landscaping. Streetscaping serves a two-fold purpose: it can entice trail use, and it can entice
people to stop downtown. Partnering with the local arts community can add an aesthetic
appeal to downtown.
• Work with Mn/DOT (if necessary) to ensure that crossings in this segment are painted and
repainted as often as necessary to ensure adequate visibility and safety. Safety is a key concern
in this segment.
• Place bicycle racks in appropriate destinations along the trail and in downtown that are likely to
draw bicyclists. This is an amenity that can
increase trail use.
• Expand the use of bicycle wayfinding signs to
direct pedestrians and bicyclist to nearby
destinations in downtown. As stated in the
segment 1 section, this is primarily for distance
information to enhance the exercise value of
the trail.
Baudette Area Trails Plan
Page 17
•
As with segment 1, interpretive signage will be considered as part of the overall landscaping.
The Baudette area has a rich history that can be taken advantage of in this effort
Segment #3: Baudette Bay to Timber Mill Park. This segment of the trail traverses an area that is largely
developed. The emphasis on this section is to enhance safety and add landscaping amenities. The key
improvements are as follows:
• Place directional wayfinding signs that direct pedestrians and bicyclists into downtown and out
to Timber Mill Park. As with the other segments, this improvement is primarily for providing
distance information.
• Place benches at regular intervals along the trail to provide people with places to sit and rest.
Trail Connectors. While emphasis in this plan is on enhancing the community’s backbone trail, there are
other possible trail connectors that could be enhanced for bicycling. In each case below, the
enhancement would be on-road (i.e., involve road shoulder widening or creation), and should mainly be
considered as part of a larger road improvement project. Following is a brief description of each
segment:
• Clementson Wayside Park – This proposed trail project connects Timber Mill Park, which is
currently the eastern trailhead for the “backbone trail” described above, and Clementson
Wayside Park. This project would also include a redevelopment of the park.
• Line School Connector Trail (CR 337 and 26 or CR 190 and 88) – This route could serve as a
connection between downtown Baudette and the Line School.
• East-West Connector Trail (2nd Street NW) – This route is currently a popular connection from
the west side of Baudette into downtown. The road is in poor shape and could serve bicyclists
and pedestrians better.
• South Loop Trail – This proposed trail would improve a route that is currently utilized for fitness
despite a lack of dedicated space for pedestrians or bicyclists.
• Rainy River Trail (MN HWY 172)– This trail would extend from the City up to Sportsman’s Lodge,
and could include a wider shoulder to be used by bicyclists. Caution should be used when
considering such a segment. There are few activity centers along the route, so it is difficult to
assess usage. A better approach might be to look for opportunities within 2 miles of Sportsman’s
Lodge to connect the residential areas with the resort areas, using a combination of local roads
and easements. However, this approach may be difficult and/or expensive, depending on the
attitude of adjacent landowners.
Increasing Activity
While “build it and they will use” is one strategy to increase activity, a more intentional approach would
involve programming as well as infrastructure improvements. The type of activities, and the approach
used, must be uniquely local. Here are some ideas to consider:
Type of Activity – The type of activity that can be developed is only limited by local sponsor imagination.
Some of these could include:
• Tourism-generating activity
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Baudette Area Trails Plan
•
•
•
•
School-related events/activities
Add-ons to existing celebrations
Art/craft walks
Volkswalks
Approach – Local organizations that have similar or complimentary missions should be enlisted. Health
care organizations, tourist-related organizations, and educational institutions all have missions that
could be enhanced with trail development and activity development promotion.
Objectives and Strategies
The objectives and strategies are designed to be short-term actions that can be taken by the community
to begin to move forward on their plan. This is not meant to be comprehensive; rather, they are
designed to provide a clear strategic focus for those committed to implementation over the next two to
three years.
Objective 1: Upgrade of infrastructure and amenity improvement s to the existing backbone trail.
Strategy 1.1 – Prioritize list of infrastructure projects for the existing backbone trail to improve
connectivity and uniformity of trail segments and other local and regional trails. This includes
but is not limited to trail construction, surfacing, signage, and lighting.
Strategy 1.2 – Prioritize list of amenity improvements for existing backbone trail to increase trail
usage and appeal. This includes but is not limited to landscaping, seating, and exercising
stations, and local information and educational signage.
Strategy 1.3 – Identify a project and submit an enhancement application by 2013 or 2014.
Objective 2: Promote usage of existing backbone trail.
Strategy 2.1 – Develop a coalition of organizations or an existing local champion organization to
promote activity and event centering on trail usage in City of Baudette and Lake of the Woods
County.
Strategy 2.2 – Sponsor multiple active community events along the new trail by October 2012
and continue the activities in subsequent years.
Objective 3: Create a culture in the Baudette/Lake of the Woods Community that values and supports
an active lifestyle for residents.
Strategy 3.1 – Create policy at the local governmental level to consider improvements that could
benefit non-motorized users whenever a transportation improvement is made.
Strategy 3.2 – Integrate an active living/wellness perspective into the capital improvement
programming process.
Baudette Area Trails Plan
Page 19
Strategy 3.3 – Develop a public communications strategy that informs/ challenges/promotes
active living efforts.
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Baudette Area Trails Plan
Baudette Area Trails Plan
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Section 5 – Implementation Approach
The City of Baudette and Lake of the Woods County have made an important commitment to improving
the trails system over the next three to five years. The goal of this section is to provide specific guidance
to accomplish the strategies listed in the plan.
Successful efforts always work on two levels. The first is the development, and nurturing of team; the
second id the commitment to get real projects done. Sustainable efforts need to work on both levels.
In order to maintain and nurture team, this plan recommends:
•
An annual meeting with partners, including HRDC, SHIP representatives, and County
representatives to review parks and trails priorities, consider grant opportunities, and create a
plan of action for the year.
In terms of project implementation, there are three contributing factors that are needed to get things
done: 1) A Champions(s) – that person or persons that care deeply about an initiative that they are
willing to provide leadership and won’t let go until it is completed; 2) Team – Others that can be enlisted
to be a part of the effort; and 3) Resource Alignment – funding that is aligned behind the initiative.
Where does the community start? From local discussions, the following efforts seem ripe for action.
Those in red may be at the top of the list:
•
•
•
Page 22
Identify a trail connector for an application and secure outside funding to complete a multi-use
trail or roadway improvement such. Sources for this funding could include a Transportation
Enhancement grant or the Parks and Trails Legacy Grant.
Complete the following projects to enhance the trail that connects the school, downtown, and
Timber Mill Park:
○
Landscaping and amenity development (benches, lighting, possible interpretive
signage), particularly in the segment #1 of the trail.
○
Exercise stations – this will make the trail even more appealing and reframe its use as
an opportunity for physical activity in addition to its transportation purpose.
○
Signage – wayfinding signage that identify destinations along the trail with distance will
add a sense of convenience to the trail.
Encourage community groups to adopt a park to take care of maintenance and make
improvements as they are able.
Baudette Area Trails Plan
Appendix A: Adoption
City of Baudette Active Living Resolution (2011-03)
Whereas, the Headwaters Regional Development Commission (HRDC) began active living efforts in the
Bemidji Area in 2008 and has begun a region-wide approach to active living after the completion of an
Active Living Strategic Plan (The Plan) July 2010, in partnership with the North Country Health Board
(funded via the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP)); and
Whereas, the HRDC and the Local SHIP Leadership Team utilized information gathered from public
engagement meetings and a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) to
develop an Active Living vision, goals, objectives, and strategies for Baudette and the Lake of the Woods
Area; and
Whereas, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and smoking are all leading causes of increased rates of
obesity and preventable (chronic) illness; and
Whereas, a mutual respect among all modes of transportation creates community cohesion, a distinct
quality of place, and increased mobility for all residents and visitors
Whereas, there are wide ranging benefits to designing communities and streets that work for all people,
including:
• Safety
• Quality of place
• Sustainable and responsible land use
• Cost effectiveness
• Health benefits
• Transportation options
• Accessibility for all people
• Equity
• Convenience
Therefore, be it resolved, the City of Baudette (The City) supports the regional Active Living Vision:
Through deliberate, collective action, the Headwaters Region will be a place:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Where there exists a mutual respect among all modes of transportation.
That has been recognized nationally as a safe and healthy place to live.
That is as accessible for bicyclists and pedestrians as it is for motor vehicles.
Where physical activity is safe, easy, accessible and a common occurrence for residents.
That has strong connections-allowing people to comfortably navigate to and from destinations
in the community.
Where children can safely walk and bicycle to school.
Baudette Area Trails Plan
Page 23
Be it further resolved, that The City supports and endorses the following active living principles:
1) Communities should promote policies that create and support an active living environment.
2) Communities should consider and evaluate the needs of all modes of transportation when
planning for and designing roadways, including users of all ages and abilities.
3) Communities should plan for, construct, and maintain infrastructure that makes physical activity
a safe, easy, accessible, and enjoyable option.
Be if further resolved, that The City understands the importance of health and wellness and therefore
supports the regional Active Living Vision statement.
Now, therefore be it resolved, that The City will consider incorporating active living objectives and
strategies into our public policies, planning, programs, and physical infrastructure projects as
opportunities for implementation occur.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Baudette, Minnesota this 14th day of February, 2011.
(*Note – This document was recreated for use in this plan. The signatures below were copied from the original document)
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Baudette Area Trails Plan
Lake of the Woods County Active Living Resolution (2011-01-09)
Whereas, the Headwaters Regional Development Commission (HRDC) began active living efforts in the
Bemidji Area in 2008 and has begun a region-wide approach to active living after the completion of an
Active Living Strategic Plan (The Plan) July 2010, in partnership with the North Country Health Board
(funded via the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP)); and
Whereas, the HRDC and the Local SHIP Leadership Team utilized information gathered from public
engagement meetings and a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) to
develop an Active Living vision, goals, objectives, and strategies for Baudette and the Lake of the Woods
Area; and
Whereas, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and smoking are all leading causes of increased rates of
obesity and preventable (chronic) illness; and
Whereas, a mutual respect among all modes of transportation creates community cohesion, a distinct
quality of place, and increased mobility for all residents and visitors
Whereas, there are wide ranging benefits to designing communities and streets that work for all people,
including:
• Safety
• Quality of place
• Sustainable and responsible land use
• Cost effectiveness
• Health benefits
• Transportation options
• Accessibility for all people
• Equity
• Convenience
Therefore, be it resolved, Lake of the Woods County (LOW County) supports the regional Active Living
Vision: Through deliberate, collective action, the Headwaters Region will be a place:
• Where there exists a mutual respect among all modes of transportation.
• That has been recognized nationally as a safe and healthy place to live.
• That is as accessible for bicyclists and pedestrians as it is for motor vehicles.
• Where physical activity is safe, easy, accessible and a common occurrence for residents.
• That has strong connections-allowing people to comfortably navigate to and from destinations
in the community.
• Where children can safely walk and bicycle to school.
Baudette Area Trails Plan
Page 25
Be it further resolved, that LOW County supports and endorses the following active living principles:
1) Communities should promote policies that create and support an active living environment.
2) Communities should consider and evaluate the needs of all modes of transportation when
planning for and designing roadways, including users of all ages and abilities.
3) Communities should plan for, construct, and maintain infrastructure that makes physical activity
a safe, easy, accessible, and enjoyable option.
Be if further resolved, that LOW County understands the importance of health and wellness and
therefore supports the regional Active Living Vision statement.
Now, therefore be it resolved, that LOW County will consider incorporating active living objectives and
strategies into our public policies, planning, programs, and physical infrastructure projects as
opportunities for implementation occur.
The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Todd Beckel and the same being put to a vote, was
unanimously carried.
Adopted by the County Board of Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota this 25 day of January, 2011
(*Note – This document was recreated for use in this plan. The signatures below were copied from the original document)
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Baudette Area Trails Plan
Appendix B: Lake of the Woods County Walking
Audit
Purpose
•
•
•
Recognize health and environment connections
Create vision of walkable community
Develop an Action Plan
Approach
Take a mile walk of downtown area and identify positive
and negative attributes to walkability.
Description
June 22, 2010 - The Lake of the Woods County SHIP Leadership Team conducted a “walk audit” of the
downtown area, which was intended to begin the process of identifying assets and barriers to active
living in the community. The first piece was an hour walk of downtown and some surrounding
residential area. The map below is the route, with five destinations identified for participants to
consider. This was followed by small group discussion.
Baudette Area Trails Plan
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The following are major themes from the walk audit:
Positive and negative indicators of active living along the route
2nd Street and alley
• Positive
• Low vehicle speeds
• Not much traffic
• Wide streets-good for biking
• Quiet
• Negative
• No facilities for walking
• Road narrows
• Not enough lighting near residential areas for walking/biking in evening
3rd Avenue near Main Street
• Positive
• Wide shoulders
• Negative
• No marked crosswalks/signage for pedestrians
• High vehicle traffic with fast speeds
• No sidewalks/signage west of town on Main Street
• Large vehicles- i.e. boats, trucks, and semi’s park along Main Street making it difficult for
pedestrians to be seen
2nd Street and Main Avenue North
• Positive
• Slower vehicle traffic
• Well marked pedestrian crossings
• Bicycle friendly
• Appealing- i.e. flowers, trees, business displays
• “Feels safe”- feels like pedestrians/bicyclists should be there
• Good lighting
• Negative
• Sidewalk suddenly emerges on 2nd street
• Sidewalk on 2nd street needs repair- power pole has begun to uproot the sidewalk
• Store displays on sidewalks make it hard for young children and elderly pedestrians to get
around
Main Street and Main Avenue
• Negative
• Fast traffic- speed is 30 mph but few vehicles go that speed
• Crosswalk marking is faded
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Baudette Area Trails Plan
•
•
•
Pedestrian sign in middle of road instead of at crosswalk
Lack of amenities for bicyclists
Narrow sidewalk at corner of Main Avenue North and Main Street East
Main Street and 1st Street
• Positive
• Marked crosswalk and pedestrian sign
• Negative
• Fast vehicle traffic
• No sidewalk on 1st Street
• Narrow road
• Crosswalk marking is faded
• Pedestrian does not feel safe crossing Main Street
Community-Wide Active Living Issues
General Comments
• Mindset- we need to change how drivers view and interact with bicyclists and pedestrians
• Crossing Main Street has a perceived difficulty because of the fast traffic, lack of signage, and
faded crosswalk markings
• Inattentive driving- i.e. cell phone use
• Pedestrian crossings, signage, and lighting downtown is positive
• Community walks needed to help educate the public about walking/biking safety, education,
and rules of the road
• Maintenance of sidewalks and roads could be improved
• Good shoulders on most streets for biking
“Needs” for Active Living
• Facilities for bicyclists/pedestrians
• Share the Road Signs
• More bike paths, bike lanes, painted crosswalks, and bike racks
• Signage, directions, mile markers
• Benches
• Exercise stations
• Completion of trail from school to park
• Maintenance of sidewalks and roads
• Enforcement of crossings
• Lighted pedestrian crossings
• Trails connected to resort areas
Change Behaviors
• Driver of vehicles as well as bicycles
Baudette Area Trails Plan
Page 29
•
•
Slow traffic down on Main Street
Community education/outreach – Community walks to educate individuals about the rules of
the road and safety for all modes of transportation
Other
• Sidewalk improvements
• Incorporate school into community
• Build partnerships with civic organizations, biking/walking advocates, city/county officials,
resorts, local businesses, citizens, Mn/DOT, and DNR
• Mapping walking/biking routes
• Utilize local media to generate awareness about bicycle/pedestrian issues
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Baudette Area Trails Plan