Paving paradise? Some parkgoers oppose Lebanon Hills plan

The freezing wind draws a whisper from the wall of trees near the edge of Schulze Lake. In the summer, canoers push off from here, portaging between nine lakes and ponds without ever leaving Lebanon Hills Regional Park.

Two miles away, lines of cars wait at an Eagan stoplight, surrounded by chain stores and churches.

Visitors love the convenient wilderness of the 2,000-acre park. And some fear Dakota County's new plan for the park could ruin the unique feel of the south metro's Boundary Waters.

Others say that backwoods experience has drawbacks. There are no paved trails, making it inaccessible to people with disabilities. And with Dakota County's senior population expected to double by 2030, there is a growing demand for even trails, benches and rest areas.

But when officials drew up a new master plan for their most popular park, there was outrage. Hundreds of comments poured in. One of the most contentious pieces: a 10-foot-wide, approximately 6½-mile-long paved trail through the heart of the park. To create that route, the county would likely have to remove trees and flatten hilltops.

"Everybody kind of came out of the woodwork saying, 'Omigod, no. You can't cut wide swaths out of the park … that will ruin it," said Katie Sterns, a St. Paul resident who cross-country-skis in the park every week during the winter.

After the pushback, commissioners created an advisory panel to weigh in on the long-term plan.

That panel met for the last time Monday night, sparring over just how much development members want to see. But as they gave their final statements, most said the group was able to strike a balance between preservation and increasing access and amenities in Lebanon Hills.

Now they will wait and see whether county commissioners listen to their advice.

"We can certainly take into consideration any recommendations they make," Commissioner Tom Egan said. "We don't want it to appear that things are preordained or rubber-stamped."

Wilderness worth preserving

Some community members fear that the 6½-mile path, which will connect to a broad greenway network, will funnel high-speed bikers through the quiet park.

There are miles and miles of options for people who want to bike through woods in the metro area, Sterns said, but Lebanon Hills is one of the only places of untouched wilderness.

"Can't we leave that one little precious spot alone and put a bike trail around it?" she said. "An unadulterated wilderness location is worth preserving. Because once it is changed, it is forever changed."

County officials say they are not creating a commuter bike route through the wild. The path will be indirect and scenic, with rest areas and interpretive signs, planning supervisor Kurt Chatfield said.

If people want a fast route to attractions or shops in the area they can use the road system, parks director Steve Sullivan said.

Dawn Lanning, an advisory panel member who rides horses through the park, said at first she was not thrilled about the connector bike trail, which she said will spook horses. But after hearing the county's plan, she decided to support it.

"I think the connector trail has to be a necessary part of the park, to make it more friendly to additional users," Lanning said.

Tough balancing act

With more than half a million visits a year, Lebanon Hills is the county's largest and busiest park. And its popularity is growing.

From 2001 to 2011, visits to the park doubled, according to Metropolitan Council data. But many are left out.

More than 38,000 Dakota County residents have one or more disabilities. Lebanon Hills does not have resources — like paved trails — to accommodate them.

Other county parks offer, on average, 4.2 miles of paved trail for every 1,000 acres of parkland.

Todd Kemery, who uses a wheelchair, joined the advisory panel to remind members that people with mobility problems need to be able to enjoy the park as well.

When the group began its discussions, people were tying accessibility to the idea of a high-speed greenway, he said, and it initially seemed that "accessibility had a four-letter-word attached to it."

But members have since realized that making the park available for everyone does not have to conflict with preservation efforts, Kemery said. "There's nobody that's against accessibility. It's how, and how much."

The county is planning to add paved loops around lakes in addition to the paved connector trail.

In sum, the master plan would add 22 miles of trails, including 8 miles of paved trails, 6 miles of lighted ski paths and 6.2 miles of hiking trails. It includes dozens of proposed capital improvements, like expanding the Camp Sacajawea lodge and adding lakeside picnic areas, parking, camper cabins and various restrooms.

It would cost $31 million to complete all the projects in the plan, about half for development and half acquiring land and natural resource projects, like removing invasive species and restoring prairies.

Some community members said that is too much money for development and too little for preservation.

If so much money is spent trying to keep up these new trails and buildings it will detract from restoring and preserving the environment, panel member Jeff Little said.

"We want future generations to be able to enjoy the park as well," Little said.

Jessie Van Berkel • 952-746-3280