Mesabi Trail Work Group
Turning vision into reality
Friends groups play an important role in planning, developing, maintaining and advocating for Minnesota's parks and trails. Meet the Mesabi Trail work group, a community organization that advises the governing body of the Mesabi Trail on routes, acquiring land and in promoting the trail.
Q: What does the Mesabi Trail work group do?
The Mesabi Trail work group's mission is to advise the governing body of the Mesabi Trail on routes, land acquisition and usage rules and promotion. Our group also serves citizens as a direct voice in the operation and construction of the trail. We represent friends of the Mesabi Trail and communities along its path.
Q: What projects are you working on or have you recently completed?
The work group has completed the routes for extensions of the Mesabi Trail. Most recently, the group is considering trail routes from Bearhead State Park to the International Wolf Center in Ely. We have also partnered with local units of government and a private developer to connect the trail near Giants Ridge in Biwabik to the east with a bridge construction project. On the fun side, the work group has been advising and supporting the Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour '06. Last year, 679 people rode the tour and enjoyed great food, music and family entertainment. We expect even more participants this year!
Q: What special events do you have on the Trail?
Besides our focus on the August 12, 2006, Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour, the work group is once again supporting local bike club rides, a Habitat For Humanity ride and other charitable and group events on the Mesabi Trail. The group has also been instrumental in building and creating a new nonprofit, Club Mesabi, which will help promote and manage events on the trail and build a membership base for the future.
If you would like to join or form a friends group, please contact the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota at 1-800-944-0707.