by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
Some cracks have started to appear and tree roots are pushing up through the surface of the much-used Lake Wobegon Regional Trail. The trail, which opened 15 years ago, extends from St. Joseph to Osakis and has a branch that extends northeast of Albany to Morrison county.
Used by several hundred thousand walkers, in-line skaters, bicyclists and others yearly, the rough and uneven surfaces can be a problem for those on the trail.
Stearns County is working to repair spots and has identified places where the surface needs to be repaired. Some repairs have already been done. Others will be done next year, along with other construction projects to save on expenses.
The trail, which was once an abandoned railroad corridor from Avon to Sauk Centre, opened in September 1998. It has trailheads in St. Joseph and other places such as Avon, Albany, Bowlus, Freeport, Holdingford, Melrose, Osakis, Sauk Centre and West Union.
Last weekend’s sunny, 50-degree weather brought many visitors to the Lake Wobegon Regional Trail. While on the 15-year-old trail, which is starting to show a lot of wear, many bicyclists, runners, walkers and others enjoyed scenic views such as this taken by Avon, Minn.
