Maplewood trail segment construction continues
News | Published on July 1, 2025 at 6:16pm GMT+0000 | Author: Tucker Henderson
0By Tom Hintgen
Otter Tail County Correspondent
County commissioners, on June 24, were informed that construction of the Maplewood Park section of the 31-mile recreational trail from Pelican Rapids to Perham is taking place. Work had previously been delayed in recent months due to more-than-normal rainfall.
The trail is open to the general public and is intended for use by walkers, joggers, hikers, bicyclists, dog walkers and other uses mandated by state law.
Here is a summary of the Heart of the Lakes Regional Trail:
• Pelican Rapids area segment, 6.8 miles
• Maplewood segment: 3.8 miles (currently under construction)
• Silent Lake segment, 8.1 miles
• McDonald Lakes segment, 5.8 miles
• Perham area segment, 6.4 miles
The Heart of the Lakes Trail provides a pedestrian connection between the communities of Pelican Rapids and Perham and through Maplewood State Park.
“The trail expands transportation and recreational access to vital recreation and employment sites in Otter Tail County,” says County Board Chairman Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids, “providing direct access to several popular lakes.”
Kevin Fellbaum, county parks and trails director, said the recreational trail allows users to experience the breathtaking vistas along the Maplewood Ridge. “The Heart of the Lakes Trail fills a gap in the state and regional trail system in west central Minnesota,” Fellbaum said.
During the spring, summer and fall seasons, motorized vehicles will be prohibited, except for use by maintenance personnel and the Otter Tail County Sheriff Office for law enforcement activities. During winter months, snowmobiling is permitted along certain segments of the trail corridor.
Much of the funding needed for construction of the 10-foot-wide trail came from the state of Minnesota through allocated grants from LCCMR (Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources) and GMRPTC (Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission).
Other grants come from ENRTF (Environmental and Natural Resource Trust Fund) and LPTF (Legacy Parks and Trails Fund).
Trail amenities
• Bathrooms available at Pelican Rapids trailhead near the high school football field on south side of town
• Bike repair stations in Pelican Rapids and Perham
• Phone charging station available at Perham trailhead