What's Up with Area Blufflands Trails?

Image - Larry Sleznikow

As a member of La Crescent MN's Park and Recreation Commission as well as it's Natural Resources Advisory Group, I get to do some deep dives into efforts surrounding outdoor recreation in the the area. 

Just recently, The Blufflands Coalition, a group made up of local governments and local outdoor groups interested in recreation, conservation and restoration, released their 2024 Annual report. 

This group was created in response to The Blufflands Plan (2016), developed in 2016 by the La Crosse Area Planning Committee. The overall goals of the group: improved public health, ecological diversity, connected communities, economic strength, and a high quality of life. 

In La Crescent, we have a plan as well  - La Crescent Blufflands Plan (2017).

As a trail user, I believe it's important for all of us to be aware of progress involving our trails and the efforts that different members of the coalition are involved in. It is also important in terms of advocacy efforts, to know this information to do the best, most factual work in standing up for best use of trails. 

After a coalition of hikers worked hard to slow what seemed like a headlong rush a few years ago to make our already shared trails in La Crescent more bike friendly, these trail users continued to work within the community and its commissions and city council to make the case that we could continue to share the trails but not necessarily give priority to one trail user type over another.

So I am happy to see this kind of transparency to continue to help hikers stay in the loop and be part of decision-making.

If you see something in the 2024 report that you think is a positive for other hikers, or conversely, appears to be a negative, let the organization or municipality know. 

Our voices matter.