In April of 2006, the city of Staples, MN approved a nicely done trail plan (7.15 Mb) to develop a city loop trail, which will not only be scenic, it will also connect the city's major destinations for local cyclists/pedestrians.

The [plan will] connect the area city parks, residential areas with schools and business areas, as well as make considerations for connecting with neighboring Townships, Counties, and neighboring communities. (pg 15)

Trail Connections:

• Central Lakes College
• Hospital
• Elementary School
• High School
• Passenger Rail Depot
• 3 City Parks
• Dower Lake Recreational Area (site of the longest dock)
• Community Center
• Majority of residential areas in the city

Staples is a community of about 4,000, and this plan is a great example of what a small town can do when everyone works together on creating a vision for their community.

Part of the Regional System

The city of Staples is approximately 15-miles west of the CRV Trail's authorized corridor. Their local plan for trails, combined with the fact that Pillager will be connected on the Camp Ripley/Veterans and Paul Bunyan Trails, and Wadena's existing 3-mile trail section makes the concept of an East-West trail between Pillager and Wadena look like a logical next step.

Staples, MN Active Rail Depot

Giving out of state trail users the opportunity to arrive by train with their equipment would make Staples a destination city. It would also provide an opportunity for a local bike shop to sprout up to service the transported bicycles.

General Proposed Corridors

Note: The plan contains more detailed corridor representations than the below rough outline.

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Survey Results

In addition to corridor maps and other analysis, the plan includes results from a survey the city conducted of all of the area's residents.  

76% felt that there is a need for more trails (pg 7)

78% indicated they felt it was important to connect the area communities via a trail system (pg 7)

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