Medicine Lake Trail Project To Begin in Maple Grove

Information provided by Three Rivers Park District.

Work is starting on the initial phase of a project to improve the Medicine Lake Regional Trail in Maple Grove. In the project’s first phase, work crews will build two boardwalks for the trail. One boardwalk will be located southeast of Fernbrook Elementary School, and the other will be built along the trail south of Weaver Lake Road. The boardwalk near Fernbrook Elementary will allow the trail to be realigned to a safer location while minimizing impacts to an adjacent wetland. The boardwalk south of Weaver Lake Road will raise a segment of trail that is prone to frequent flooding. See a map of the project  phases.

The entire project will involve rehabilitation of the Medicine Lake Regional Trail between Elm Creek Park Reserve and Fish Lake Regional Park in Maple Grove. For the 4.4-mile segment from Fish Lake Regional Park to Interstate 94, rehabilitation primarily will consist of sealcoating and isolated repairs where significant pavement deterioration is occurring.

The pavement on the 2.9-mile section between Interstate 94 and Elm Creek Park Reserve has deteriorated to the point where full reconstruction of the trail is required. The project will be built in phases this spring and summer, and trail closures will occur during the project. Three Rivers Park District asks trail users to follow posted detours and appreciates their patience during the project. Although the first phase of the project will include work on the trail near Fernbrook Elementary School, connections to local trails will remain open through the end of the current school year.

The 16-mile Medicine Lake Regional Trail travels through Maple Grove and Plymouth, connecting Elm Creek Park Reserve and the Rush Creek Regional Trail with Fish Lake Regional Park, French Regional Park and the Luce Line Regional Trail. An estimated 430,100 visits are made to the paved multi-use trail each year.

Check this website for project updates, including up-to-date information about trail closures.