An update by Tim Bischke, a member of the park and recreation commission:

Status of Jordan Trails (Summer ‘09)

Existing multi-use trails (less than 3 miles total):

- Lagoon Park—3/4 mile, 6-8’ wide; upgraded last fall?

- Timberline Subdivision—1/10 mile, 9’wide; at the northeastern edge for exit/entry

- 185th Ave & CR9—1/4 mile, 8’ wide; overgrown tree branches blocking trail

- Small sections on Hope Ave & CR66—1/4 mile; 9’ wide; dead-ends into chain link fence

- Hope Ave drainage pond loop—1/2 mile, 8’wide

- Sawmill Trail (under Hwy 21)—1/8 mile; ends at a road; sidewalk across road

- Along 282 (near Valley Bank)—1/4 mile

Definitions:

- Multi-use trail—wide asphalt trail suitable for biking, in-line skating, running, etc.

- Bike Route—road shared by bikes and cars marked with signs as “Bike Route”

- Bike Lane—dedicated street section only for bike use marked with signs & paint

- Sidewalk—narrow concrete ribbon with cracks every 4-5’; primarily suitable for walking

Deficiencies:

- Jordan has only a few short fragmented trails. There are no connections between these trails or between trails and likely destinations (schools, parks, commercial areas).

- There are no marked bike routes or bike lanes.

- Jordan has no racks for parking & securing bikes except at the schools.

- Few of the city roads have wide paved shoulders suitable for biking.

- There are no safe crossing points on 282 or 21 (for pedestrians or bikers)

- Developers didn’t follow through on installing trails e.g. Timberline parallel to 57.

Missed Opportunities:

- Sidewalks vs Multi-use Trails. In several key locations, concrete sidewalks have been installed rather than paved multi-use trails (Creek Lane extension up to Sunset Drive; parallel to CR9; connecting schools to River Ridge, etc.). There’s nothing inherently wrong with sidewalks except that they serve far fewer users as they are unsuitable for biking, in-line skating, skate boarding. Sidewalks work best within neighborhoods primarily to connect houses to each other. The overall trend in cities throughout Minnesota (& the nation) is for wide multi-use trails, not concrete sidewalks.

- Dead End. The new short trail paralleling CR 66 ends abruptly in a chain link fence.

Proposed Trails:

- CR 66 (Old 169);

- Aberdeen Ave (Safe Routes to School) between CR 66 & Sunset Dr. and south of that.

- What is the time line? What portion will be paid for by city funds?

Actions Needed:

- Begin implementing the “trails plan” which has already been approved by the city. This can be done incrementally not all at once.

- The first step is to designate bike routes with signs &/or road paint (not just on paper). Start with Phase I as highlighted on attached map.

- The Jordan Valley Bike Tour has offered to pay for Phase I routes (as long as costs are in line) from Lagoon Park up to Aberdeen Ave, yet nothing has been done. Who’s responsible for implementation?

Trail development potential:

Scott County has outlined several general trail corridors running through Jordan, so it could be the hub of a trail system. We could begin to plan connections to these proposed corridors. Routes could connect across the MN River to Carver & Chaska. Trails, bike routes & lanes could be established in town. The DNR has proposed paving a trail along the MN River Valley. Is anybody on board?

“Bike Friendly” Rating: (1-10; 10 the best) Jordan 2; Montgomery 1; Belle Plaine 7; New Prague 3; Carver 3.

Submitted by Tim Bischke (timbee205@yahoo.com) 952-492-2088