Ribbon Cutting for Heartland State Trail from Detroit Lakes to Frazee Set for Thursday, July 1

Photo courtesy of Detroit Lakes Tourism

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 will be held next Thursday, July 1 at 10:30 A.M.

Representatives from Detroit Lakes, Frazee, Becker County, the Minnesota DNR, MnDOT, as well as Detroit Lakes Chamber ambassadors and trail committee members will be on hand for the ribbon cutting at the bridge at the western entrance into Frazee.

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.

“We in Detroit Lakes have been proactive with our multi-use trail system, and to eventually be able to connect to the Heartland State Trail from Park Rapids to Moorhead is going to be another draw for our area,” said Detroit Lakes Mayor Matt Brenk.

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.

“We are thrilled to recommend a safe option for trail users. We appreciate the efforts started years ago by former Detroit Lakes Mayor Larry Buboltz, former Frazee Mayor Hank Ludtke and Senator Keith Langseth in pursuing funding for the trail,” said Detroit Lakes Tourism Director Cleone Stewart.

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.