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The latest segment of the Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail opened and many gathered for celebration Saturday, Oct 10.  This portion was made possible through a grant from the Environmental Trust Fund.  The off roadway trail now connects seven miles from the trailhead at Taylors Falls City Hall, westerly to a little past the city of Shafer.  A section east of Center City is undeveloped but then the trail picks up again in downtown Center City and continues to Chisago City.  Future plans are to connect the SIRT to the Sunrise Prairie Trail, in Wyoming. A trail from Washington County is also planned to be continued north from Scandia to Lindstrom. 

Pictured:  Taylors Falls city council members Larry Julik Heine and John Tangen were two of the local officials sharing brief remarks.  A group of trail advocates stood at the ribbon as the County Commissioner for the district,  Rick Greene,  wielded the giant scissors.  Representatives were on hand for Peterson Companies, Chisago City, which built the segment.  The Dept. of Natural Resources was also acknowledged for partnering on many aspects of the project that traverses state parkland.  The county trail network has segments available for the county “Adopt-A-Trail” program.  Chisago Lakes Rotary has been a participant and other groups (or individuals) are invited to look into this.  Contact the parks offices.  Nine segments are still available.

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