HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 12-09 Decision reversed, William O'Brian State Park reopens to high school skiers STAR TRIBUNE 12I10/2015 Decision reversed,William O'Brien State Park reopens to high school skier
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Decision reversed, William 0'Brien State
Park reopens to high school skiers
New policy was suspended after coaches and park managers talked
to state.
By Kevin Giles(http://www.startribune.com/kevin-giles/1064-4901/)Star Tribune
DECEMBER 9,2015—9:34PM
A state agency has reversed its decision to ban a high school team from slding in William
O'Brien State Park on weekends.
Coaches for the Stillwater Area High School Nordic sld team said they were caught by
surprise when a park manager recently informed them,by letter,that the team no longer
could ski in the park on Saturdays—as it had for 40 years.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources(DNR)said the ski teams were
hindering broader public use of trails and causing maintenance costs for reconditioning.
The new policy,related to a wider statewide pazks and trails plan,was intended to find a
balance among skiers of all interests,said Phil Leversedge,a DNR parks and trails
manager.
But a"productive"meeting,he said,between the DNR and coaches on Tuesday led to
the reversal.
"We suspended our decision that changed the times that sld teams could use the park for
practice and events and will work over the neJCt several months to develop a plan that
meets our mutual goals and continues to engage the young slders in the outdoors at the
park,"he said Wednesday.
One of the coaches,Kris Hansen,said Tuesday she thought the new policy was
discriminatory in singling out one group of park users,and discouraged youth from
using parks.She also said the DNR hasn't maintained sld trials in recent years.Instead,
she said,as many as 130 high school skiers had done that work,such as shoveling snow
onto depleted areas of trails.
On Wednesday,after the meeting with DNR managers,Hansen said both groups agreed
to work together to make sure everyone enjoys the William O'Brien park,near the city of
Marine on St.Cro'vc in northern Washington County."
In a related action,the DNR decided to leave the popular Gateway State Trail and its
connecting trail,Brown's Creek,unplowed this winter.Some local governments along
the trail cried foul Tuesday,saying they had no voice in the decision and objected to it.
The agency's new statewide plan shifts more resources to warm-season uses,Leversedge
said.
"In making our decision,we also looked at the availability of other plowed winter trails
in the area,and there are many other opportunities for people to get out and walk on a
safe,plowed trail in the area,"he said.
As far as plowing Gateway and Brown's Creek trails,Leversedge said,the DNR is
"continuing to work with local city and county governments to explore partner
opportunities."
Melinda Coleman,the city administrator in Maplewood,said Wednesday the city was
waiting to hear what type of partnership the DNR would propose.The city also will"get
our legislators informed of our concerns,"she said.
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http://www.startribune.com/decision-reversed-wi I liam-o-brien-state-park-reopens-to-hi gh-school-skiers/361268691/