Ribbon Cutting Officially Opens Heartland State Trail from Detroit Lakes to Acorn Lake near Frazee

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – A ribbon cutting for the Heartland State Trail, a multi-use trail from the Detroit Lakes underpass on Hwy 10 East to Acorn Lake near Frazee was held, Thursday.

The multi-use trail from the Detroit Lakes underpass to County Hwy 10 near Frazee was officially opened on June 19, 2021. Just shy of 5 miles, the paved trail is intended for pedestrian and nonmotorized vehicle use, except for snowmobiles in the winter.

Representatives from Detroit Lakes, Frazee, Becker County, the Minnesota DNR, MnDOT, as well as Detroit Lakes Chamber ambassadors and trail committee members were on hand for the ribbon cutting.

“It’s a great feeling to finally see something constructed and to watch the fruition of all those years of effort finally coming to us. This will be a benefit to the community for many many years to come and many future generations,” said Senator Kent Eken during the event.

Trail users will enjoy a scenic route featuring looks at an active Bald Eagle nest, an artesian well, hardwood and conifer tree canopies, wetlands, the state flower and scenic Acorn Lake, which has already been a picturesque setting for a marriage proposal.

The 7.1 mile stretch of the Heartland State Trail from the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and Frazee Street in Detroit Lakes to Acorn Lake was funded with capital bonding appropriations in 2008, 2014 and 2017 at a total cost of $7.48 million.

A 2020 capital bond appropriation will fund the construction of the bridge at Frazee’s County Hwy 10 and the engineering and design for the 2-mile trail segment from the bridge to Hwy 87 in Frazee. The trail bridge is scheduled to be completed by end of 2021.