Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park Trail Improvements
The Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park and surrounding area has seen above normal precipitation and groundwater levels over the past 10 years that have led to flooding of roads, trails and park picnic areas. Until last summer, several sections of the trail system were closed due to flooding, along with the public beach and picnic area near Snail Lake.
Ramsey County Parks & Recreation has been working with Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD) and the city of Shoreview to collect data, make drainage improvements and address flooding issues to private residences and public infrastructure.
The data gathered allows for accurate assessment of water elevations and predicting where future flooding impacts will occur. This information was used as part of the framework for the regional park master plan update, completed and approved by Metropolitan Council in July 2021, to determine where to replace impacted trails and facilities, so they are resilient to future flooding. This master plan update is a requirement of the Metropolitan Council as the overseer of the regional park and trails system.
2022 Trail Improvements Feasibility Study
The focus of the trail improvements project is the corridor section along the east side of Wetland A where trails remain inundated with water.
The master planning process determined the public’s desire to reestablish the trail system within this section of the park. Boardwalk was identified as the most likely means to make trail connections, but with a desire to maintain as much bituminous trail as possible. Additional drainage efficiency work completed by the RWMWD has provided more refined data that will need to be considered for any future trail development within the park.
The trail feasibility study will determine what trail type is allowed under local, state and federal requirements given the trail is located within a floodplain and wetland. The study will consider what elevation trail improvements should be constructed to, as well as floodplain and wetland mitigation location, impacts and costs.
The project began in February 2022 and was completed in August 2022.
Snail Lake Trail Feasibility Study (pdf)
Community engagement
An open house was held Sept. 28, 2022, to share the results of the feasibility study and to gather input from residents. While the study found a boardwalk trail would be the best option to withstand flooding, it’s significantly more expensive and has little support from the surrounding community. The project team continues to evaluate future trail options. There are no final plans to move forward with any design option at this time.