On a beautiful Saturday morning, the GBCTA board, members, and trail users celebrated the new amenities added at the Duluth Junction thanks to our Special Appeal donors.  We raised $4,000 and the DNR completed the work this fall.  New additions include two ADA tables, 2 bicycle racks, a fix it station (thanks to Gateway Cycle), shrubs cut back and gravel added to expand this very popular meeting spot.  In 2023, new horse amenities will be added as well.  Attendees were treated to donuts, coffee, lemonade, and bandanas. Speakers were Beth Hayden, GBCTA Board Chair, Rachel Henzen, DNR, and Kerri Kolstad, GBCTA Membership.  Thanks to all who joined us!!

We are beyond ecstatic to tell you that in just three weeks, our generous supporters have donated almost $3,000 to the Duluth Junction upgrade!

Here are some personal comments we have received:

• Thank you for undertaking the upgrade of Duluth Junction. I stop there frequently and support the vision you have for this important stopping and meeting place.  Ellen, Stillwater
• I am happy to contribute to this great trail and for making it more accessible to everyone.   Brenda, St. Paul
• Thank you so much for all you do. I have enjoyed using this trail for the past couple of years. It is truly a blessing to have access to such quality amenities!  Nicholas, Vadnais Heights

Our goal is $5,000 and we are over half-way there.

• A Grainger bicycle rack ($570) PURCHASED!!
• An ADA picnic table ($800-1000) PURCHASED!!
• A horse rail ($1000) PURCHASED!!
• A Saris bicycle repair station ($2100)
• Expand the area with gravel additions ($200-500)

The DNR will add these amenities in 2022 as we receive donations.

Will you help us REFRESH the Duluth Junction? 

You can send your donation in a variety of easy ways:

1)     Online via MN Parks and Trails -

Contribution Note:  Duluth Junction Special Appeal

2)      Send checks made out to:

• Parks and Trails GBCTA
• PO Box 9295
• North St. Paul, MN 55109

Contribution Note:  Duluth Junction Special Appeal

3)     Venmo your donation to: @GBCTA
               Note:  Duluth Junction Special Appeal

               Not Tax Deductible

We will keep you updated on our Duluth Junction progress throughout the year!  Thank you for being a part of this SPECIAL APPEAL and your love of the Gateway Brown’s Creek Trail. 

Any overage of funds raised for this special effort will be used for other trail enhancements and amenities. We appreciate your willingness to help with this project and more.

A goal of the Gateway-Brown’s Creek Trail Association is to extend the length of the trail beyond its current terminus at Pine Point Park. Extending the trail is a parcel by parcel process and we could use your help to secure public funding for a new and critical section of trail. 

This year we have an opportunity to secure Minnesota State bonding funds. The funds would help complete a one-mile, “shovel ready” segment into the City of Scandia. This would bring us one step closer to our ultimate goal of extending the trail all the way to Taylors Falls.

PLEASE ACT to help make this happen.

Click here to sign a petition urging decision-makers at the capitol to support funding for this project.

Link: https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/get-the-gateway-trail-to-scandia

This walk along Gateway State Trail will be lit with hundreds of candle luminaries - from near Wildwood Elementary school to one mile down the trail (roundtrip will be a 2 mile walk). Enjoy bonfires for warmth and roasting marshmallows on both ends of the lit trail section; hot chocolate, cider and marshmallows will be available at the Stillwater Rd end. Come and enjoy a walk along this Minnesota State Trail! Leashed dogs are welcome. Ice traction devices are always recommended when walking in winter. 651-231-6968. Linda.Radimecky@state.mn.us.

Friday, January 28th from 5pm to 8pm.

Parking is available at Wildwood elementary School, 1520 Mahtomedi Ave, Mahtomedi, MN 55115

As snow accumulates on and around the trail, use this handy resource created by the MN DNR to discover the animal friends that also enjoy our trail corridors. animal-tracks.pdf

Gateway Brown's Creek Trail Association was honored to be presented the Parks & Trails 2021 Friends Group Partner Award.

Last spring Parks & Trails Council partnered with several friends groups to help coordinate and fund habitat restoration events. This fall two of the groups--those supporting the Gateway State Trail in the east metro and Holly Skogen Park, which is a 2-acre park in the west-central Minnesota city of Starbuck, had volunteer labor days where they removed invasive buckthorn bushes and began the process of planting native plants.

Rotary Park Grand Opening Celebration Saturday, October 9 at 11:00 a.m.

Members from the Rotary Club of North St. Paul, Maplewood, and Oakdale will be joined by North St. Paul Mayor Terry Furlong for a grand opening celebration on Saturday, October 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm. at Rotary Park which is located along the Gateway Regional Trail at the intersection of North St. Paul Drive and 2nd St.

Rotary Park features park benches, a picnic pavilion, flag pole, memorial monument, rain garden, bike repair station, little free library, and public restrooms. The grand opening ceremony features light refreshments and live entertainment. Learn more here.

GONE ELECTRIC?

We get it. Electric bikes have opened up a new level of outdoor recreation.

But as you pedal your electric two-wheeler, please remember that you’ve got more juice than the average recreationist, which puts you in a position of greater responsibility.

Please use safe speeds. And as with all bikes, yield to pedestrians and slower trail users, and audibly announce if you are passing.

State trail rules for Electric-assist/Pedal Assist bicycles:

·         Electric-assist or pedal-assist bicycles are allowed on state trails, or wherever normal bicycles are allowed, if they meet the following definition in Minnesota Statutes 169.011, Subdivision 27 (link is external). 

o    2 or 3 wheels

o    A saddle and fully operable pedals for human propulsion

o    An electric motor that is:

·         1,000 watts or less,

·         incapable of propelling faster than 20 miles per hour,

·         incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power alone is used to propel the vehicle at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour, and 

·         disengages or ceases to function when the vehicles brakes are applied.

·         A motorized bicycle that does not meet the definition of an electric-assist bicycle is not allowed on state trails where motorized vehicles are prohibited.

·         When riding on State Trails, remember to yield to pedestrians and slower trail users, and give an audible signal if passing.

We do not have a lot of information regarding this closure, but from the DNR:

"The trail is going to be closed July 19 at Neal Ave for some finishing work related to last year’s road project. I don’t know how long the closure will last at this point but there will be a posted detour so it shouldn’t be too big an impact on trail users."

One of the many splendors of our trails is the variety of wildlife! This huge snapping turtle was spotted just north of Highway 36, between two ponds, by a member of the GBCTA last week. Keep your eyes open while you're enjoying the trails and who knows what you'll see...