REGIONAL— The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has approved a $200,000 joint grant proposal spearheaded by the Howard Wagoner Trails Club, the Prospector ATV Club, and the city of Tower for new trail development in the area.
The funding will include $66,000 in matching funds from the ATV club from a separate appropriation through the DNR.
The multi-faceted project will include realigning the Prospector Trail to create a new corridor to bring the Mesabi Trail to Tower from the south, connecting to Embarrass and Giants Ridge. It also calls for completing an ATV trail connecting to the new ATV campground being built adjacent to Lake Vermilion State Park.
The plan also calls for construction of a new 2,300-foot boardwalk connecting Hoodoo Point Campground to the Pine Ridges hiking trail as well as improvements to a half mile segment of the Ancient Cedars Trail to make it more accessible to disabled individuals.
Construction on the trail segments will require some environmental review before getting underway. Construction is slated to begin in 2026 and will need to be completed by 2027.