The city of Duluth Parks and Recreation division closed all-natural surface trails Friday due to wet soil conditions related to the annual spring thaw. Trails are closed until further notice.
"Continued use by any method (foot or bike) will result in damage to these important assets," a city news release said. The city anticipates reopening the trails once surface conditions improve, and offered a series of alternatives.
“As spring arrives in the Northland this year amid the pandemic, we’re striving to protect our trails while providing alternate walking and biking routes for residents who continue to exercise while practicing safe, social distancing," Jessica Peterson, parks and recreation manager, said in the news release.
Other opportunities for walking or cycling include:
- A half-mile section of Lincoln Park Drive (closed to vehicles).
- A 1-mile section of Seven Bridges Road in Lakeside/Lester Park (closed to vehicles).
- A 1-mile section of the Munger State Recreation Trail from Pulaski Street to Beaudry Street.
- The Campus Connector Trail between the College of St. Scholastica and University of Minnesota Duluth and along Tischer Creek.
- The Cross City Trail from Bayfront Park through Lincoln Park and above the Fairmount neighborhood.
- Duluth Lakewalk.
- Beaches along Minnesota Point.
- Old Hartley Road.
- Amity Creek Equestrian Trail.
- Duluth Winnipeg and Pacific Railway (DWP) Trail.
- West Skyline Parkway and Hank Jensen Drive from Twin Ponds to Enger Park Golf Course.
In an effort to offer dedicated walking and biking opportunities to area residents, the city said it would also be closing West Skyline Parkway from Twin Ponds to the Enger Park Golf Course parking lot, including Hank Jensen Drive, to vehicular traffic.
Parking is available at Twin Ponds and the Enger Park Golf Course.
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“We continue to seek opportunities to enable area residents to enjoy the outdoors in safe and healthy ways, and this loop includes a fantastic view of the city and Lake Superior,” Peterson said.
Parks staff reminded trail users to stay a minimum of 6 feet apart while enjoying the outdoors.
Paved paths such as the Lakewalk, the Cross City Trail, the Munger Trail, and the Campus Connector Trail are usually 8- to 10-feet wide. Maintaining a 6-foot separation requires users who travel in opposite directions to walk single file at the edges of the trail when passing.
