Final segment links communities, opens 32 miles of scenic trail

Contributed photo
Shawn Donais, MN DNR Parks and Trails District Supervisor; Riley Finnegan, Assistant Park Manager; Pelican Rapids Mayor Brent Frazier; MN DNR Regional Park and Trails Manager John Voges; Park Manager Bill Anderson; County Commissioner Kurt Mortenson; Otter Tail County Parks and Trails Director Kevin Fellbaum; Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R-District 9); County Board Chair Wayne Johnson; Adam Ruud, engineer, Houston Engineering; Denise Laymon, president, Friends of Maplewood; Linda Today, vice president, Friends of Maplewood and Jason Wicker, Otter Tail County Engineering Technician.

Otter Tail County celebrated the completion of the Heart of the Lakes Regional Trail system with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly opened Maplewood segment, marking the final piece of a project to create a 32-mile trail connecting Pelican Rapids and Perham through Maplewood State Park.

The 3.8-mile Maplewood segment features a 10-foot-wide, ADA-compliant multi-use trail that winds through the heart of Maplewood State Park, offering users passage through scenic landscapes including forests, prairies and wetlands.

“This trail represents the culmination of years of planning and collaboration,” said Kevin Fellbaum, Otter Tail County Parks and Trails Director. “The Maplewood segment provides trail users with an opportunity to experience the natural beauty of our county and state park system while enjoying safe, accessible recreation.”

The project, which began with a master plan in 2014, was constructed in phases over multiple years. The Perham segment opened in 2021, followed by the Pelican Rapids, Silent Lakes and McDonald Lakes segments in 2022 and 2023.

Sen. Jordan Rasmusson praised the project’s completion, emphasizing its significance for regional connectivity and showcasing the area’s outdoor recreation opportunities.

“The Heart of the Lakes Regional Trail exemplifies what we can accomplish when we invest in Minnesota’s outdoor infrastructure,” Rasmusson said. “This trail system will serve generations of Minnesotans and visitors, providing economic benefits to our communities while preserving access to our natural resources. Thank you to the local leaders, community members, and partners who helped bring this vision to life.”

The Maplewood Segment construction was funded through a $2,514,000 grant from the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), with the project completed at a bid amount of $2,006,349.

“This project has been years in the making, and we are grateful to the LCCMR for their outstanding support,” said County Commissioner Wayne Johnson. “The entire trail reflects the dedication of all our partners who shared a vision and commitment. We couldn’t have accomplished this without each of them, and we thank all of you for making this a reality.”

The Heart of the Lakes Regional Trail takes its name from its corridor through the heart of lakes country, connecting five distinct segments named for their geographic locations within Otter Tail County. The trail is open to the public for walking, biking and other non-motorized recreational activities. 

For more information about the Heart of the Lakes Regional Trail, visit www.ottertailcounty.gov.