Winona’s cycling scene is expanding with the introduction of new mountain biking trails, a departure from the usual headlines centered in central and northern Minnesota parks like Cuyuna Country, Tioga, and Redhead. Developed through a collaborative effort between the city, the Department of Natural Resources, Rock Solid Trail Contracting, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), and the Winona Area Mountain Bikers club (WAMB), the four trails spanning approximately 5.5 miles opened this fall, with two becoming official in late November. Nestled along the slopes and through the forests of Bluffside Park above the Hwy. 61 corridor, these trails mark the beginning of a more extensive project covering around 525 acres of bluffland under the 2019 Bluffs Traverse Conservation and Recreation Area plan.
Funded by two Legacy Amendment grants totaling over $1.2 million, the trail system aims to connect Bluffside with adjacent parks like Garvin Heights and Sugar Loaf. The challenging terrain of Bluffside Park’s bluffs required careful consideration of factors like water flow, erosion prevention, and terrain shaping to cater to both beginner and experienced cyclists. Two trails are exclusively for mountain bikers, with the other two serving multipurpose functions, welcoming fatbikers and snowshoers in winter.
The project also prioritizes conservation efforts, with a commitment to balance trail development with the preservation of the habitat for timber rattlesnakes, a threatened species. Additionally, the city is restoring five bluff prairies within the Bluffs Traverse system, showcasing the integration of recreation and conservation.
The enthusiasm is palpable at Bluffside, with over 60 high school and middle school mountain bikers benefiting from the new trails to enhance their skills. Plans for the future include a skills park, tabletop features for advanced riders, and an expansion of the trail network. The community is buzzing with excitement, welcoming both new faces and seasoned trail-keepers, as Winona’s cycling story aligns with the IMBA’s vision of advocating for accessible trails close to home. Bluffside Park exemplifies this, offering convenient access for riders without the need for long drives, contributing to the broader movement of promoting local trail networks.
original post at Star Tribune