The Three Rivers Park District is in the middle of a master planning process for future development of a new north-south regional trail through the western portion of Hennepin County.
Courtesy Three Rivers Park District
It’s called the Diamond Lake Regional Trail and it will stretch approximately 20 miles from Wayzata to Dayton.
The concept is a 10-foot-wide paved, multi-use trail that will connect natural areas, other regional trains in the Three Rivers system, local parks and trails.
Biking, hiking, dog walking, running and in-line skating will be allowed on the trail.
Right now, there are many potential trail route options and the Three Rivers Park District is seeking input.
Each segment of the trail will have its unique pros and cons. Ultimately, one preferred route will be determined from this collection of trail segments in the map, based on public and stakeholder input.
The park district has set up a way for residents to comment. Here is a link to the guest book where you can share your views.
Proposed Diamond Lake Regional Trail Map (red dashed lines indicate proposed routes, yellow circles indicate where a resident has posted a comment on the plan)
The trail would come into Wayzata from the north and west.
One proposed route follows the Luce Line Trail to Ferndale Road and south.
Another branches off from the Luce Line Trail onto Long Lake Road to Wayzata Boulevard to Ferndale Road.
Luce Line Trail at Ferndale Road
From the intersection of Wayzata Boulevard and Ferndale Road, there are two separate route alternatives.
Ferndale Road & Wayzata Boulevard
One continues east along Wayzata Boulevard and south on Barry Avenue to Lake Street.
Barry Avenue & Wayzata Boulevard
The other takes Ferndale Road south and meets the Dakota Regional Trail.
Ferndale Road & Shoreline Drive
It’s this last option of the last leg that has gained the most comments on the Three Rivers Park District guest book:
“Please do not bring the Diamond Lake Trail into Wayzata. I believe the trails should stay out in the nature and rural areas and not go through the residential areas. There has been a significant increase in traffic and population density on the west side of Wayzata. It would be a dangerous crossing over Wayzata Blvd and at the Ferndale/Lake Street or Barry/Lake intersections. Ferndale is already a very busy road and the traffic will only increase with the addition of more condominium buildings under development. The grade is significant and will result with bikers going into a high speed down the hill into a very busy intersection. There will be a significant impact to the residents along Ferndale to their landscapes and privacy, noise and pollution. In addition, the beauty of Ferndale will be ruined because you would have to cut down so many lovely trees along the road to accommodate the trail.”
-Wayzata Resident
“Please do not put the bike path along Ferndale. Ferndale is already a way too busy street and often feels ‘like an accident waiting to happen’ now. It is difficult to imagine you would consider removing the beautiful trees which would not only be a detriment aesthetically but very damaging to the property values at the Meyers Place and Ferndale Ridge communities. Their properties are already too close to the road both from a privacy and safety position. Barry Avenue would be a better choice.”
-Wayzata Resident
“Please take Ferndale Rd off the possible plans. The canopy of trees lining Ferndale are a beauty to our town and a landmark. The loss of this would be a loss to all of us who drive this beautiful road daily.The close proximity to the townhome and offices would have a big impact on privacy and values of these properties. Barry Ave could be a better choice. However, I question going through Wayzata and tearing up the town more.”
“Barry Avenue is the most logical option. Barry Ave. already has a wide street, sidewalk, and a bike right of way. A trail on either side of Ferndale is dealing with a road with no decent right of way. For the homes on the east side of Ferndale, a trail extension option would remove privacy from those homes, and the townhomes fronting Ferndale. The HOA would bear significant expense to replace boulder walls, privacy walls and hedges/trees. Existing privacy would become a major casualty for all east side homes and townhomes.”
-Wayzata Resident
“Making the connecting route on Broadway makes the most sense by far. It will bring more business to downtown Wayzata and to the Panoway Project and it is a straight connection to the Luce Line over the already existing I-394 bridge. Plus, there will be a public bathroom for the bikers on the Panoway project. This is long overdue to hook up The Dakota Trail and the Luce Line Trail. Both trails are great and this will make them even greater.”
-Wayzata Resident
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