Approximately 80 people attended the open house from the following cities/areas - Little Falls, Brainerd, Pierz, Pillager, Bowlus, Randall, St. Cloud, Royalton, Baxter, Staples, Merrifield, Cushing, Fort Ripley, East Gull Lake, Walker, Waite Park, Albany, and Avon.

There were both supporters of the trail and concerned landowners represented at the meeting. There was also representation from local ATV, snowmobile and cross-country skiing clubs. Many had questions on the alignment of the trail, how it would be funded and when it would be constructed. Since we are still early in the planning stages, it was communicated to the public that no trail alignments have been considered yet but that a second open house meeting would be held in late January 2012 to review potential trail alignments. The timing of construction and funding of the trail are also unknown at this point in time.

The event was covered on Lakeland PublicTelevision, the video is available on youtube.

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