Dozens of public officials are racing to mediate a dispute between snowmobilers and neighbors over access to a major regional park in Scott County, knowing that it may all soon be moot and at best will be no more than temporary.
Two solutions emerged at a conclave on Saturday bringing together both sides. But each politely prefers a different one.
The perceived threat of walkers being ticketed for using a trail into Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve that they've used for decades led this winter to a petition drive. Scores of neighbors, primarily on the Lakeville side of the Scott/Dakota border, said it made no sense to drive miles to a different access point when they seldom see snowmobiles on the trail near their homes.
It emerged at the weekend meeting, though, that multiple levels of government forbid walkers from snowmobile trails, even if that seems to have gone unenforced more or less forever.
"How many people have been injured on these trails?" asked Rota Hart, who has led the petition drive.
"As far as we know, no one," said parks manager Mark Themig.
"Well then," she said, kidding, "let's not act until a slew of people get hurt." There was laughter and a cry of "prevention!"
Lurking behind the issue is the question of what is the countryside, and therefore open season for snowmobiles, and how suburbs gradually encroach to the point that more urban rules start to apply.
