It's been five years since a master plan for the Lake Elmo Park Reserve identified the need for lights on its cross country ski trails. Now it appears they might finally get installed.
Park Manager Peter Mott said he has been given the go-ahead to seek bids for the project, which is among $1.5 million in improvements planned for this summer at the 2,000-acre park.
Mott said he will work with a consultant over the next few weeks to draw up bid specifications, then in March will seek vendors to carry out the project, which calls for lights to be installed on up to 5 miles of trails. If he gets favorable bids and the Washington County Board signs off, he could award a contract as soon as April and construction could begin in May.
"It's quite exciting," said Mott, who was around when the idea first surfaced in 2006. "It's all about the waiting game when you are a planner, and often you don't get to see plans carried out. This is quite rewarding."
The prospect of having lights on the trails has skiers excited, too.
Mark Fournier, 40, of Woodbury, said he tries to squeeze in some time on the wooded trials three to four times a week after work, but it does get difficult because of the limited amount of daylight.
"It would give me more ski time," he said while using the trail on a recent late Friday afternoon.
Janet Bergmark, 55, of St. Paul, occasionally visits Battle Creek Regional Park in St. Paul, where there are lights on some trails, but she said she prefers skiing at Lake Elmo because there are more flat trails that cater to beginners and intermediate skiers. It's also easy for her to get to the park at 1515 Keats Av.