Metro COG continues research to expand the Heartland Trail in northern Minnesota

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — Metro COG is continuously working on a study to expand the Heartland Trail from Northern Minnesota into the Clay County area.

The Heartland Trail currently stretches 49 miles from Park Rapids to Cass Lake.

With the proposed extension, there will be another 30 miles.

The project was approved in 2006 to begin the study of extending the trail in the Moorhead area.

However, it wasn’t until 2014 that discussions with Clay County officials, stakeholders and the public began.

Metro COG outlined three potential ways community members can vote.

“Which would you prefer as a rider or as a user, what would be the best preference? And so we hope to ideally plan the route in a way that the public wants to see and maybe not just what’s cheapest or most practical,” said Dan Farnsworth, METRO COG Transportation Planner.

For more information on the Heartland Trail and the study tour Here.