Luverne Loop applies for $590,000 grant for trailhead

The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission recently designated the Luverne Loop and Blue Mounds Trail as “regionally significant.”
This means the local trails are eligible for Legacy Grant funds, and local leaders aren’t wasting time applying for those dollars.
Luverne Economic Development Authority Director Holly Sammons updated city officials on funding options at the Monday morning EDA meeting.
“Since we already have funding in place for Phase I and II of the Loop, and since it’s too early to apply for Phase III funding, we’re focusing on the Redbird Field trailhead,” Sammons said.
She said she recently applied for a $590,000 grant for fiscal year 2018-19 to improve the Blue Mound Trail and Loop trailhead area.
Funds are needed for parking, a restroom, signage, an information kiosk, benches, water fountain, waste receptacles, a nature playground, outdoor exercise equipment and more.
“It’s fun to dream about what that transformation will look like,” Sammons said.
“It will be an additional location to invite visitors to connect themselves with trails and parks and to the community.”
She added that having an established trailhead area will help local efforts to market the Loop and Blue Mound Trail.
 
In other business Monday the LEDA board:
•reviewed participation in the Historic Façade Improvement Program and Sammons noted that she met with three more property owners last week about potential façade improvements. “It will be exciting to see what changes the next construction cycle will bring,” Sammons said.
•Discussed the flashing beacon system for pedestrians on Highway 75 near the school. “It’s really slowing down traffic,” City Administrator John Call noted.
•Praised Dave and Stacy Riphagen for the business expansion of their existing Dragonfly store to a second location two doors to the east in the former Lavish Designs building. “They have good display windows and great ideas,” Sammons said. The plan is to have the new store, Firefly, open before the holidays.
•Noted the footings are poured for the Computer Clinic building going up north of the Laundry Room on Highway 75 and Lincoln Street, and W-2 Quality Meats is applying the stone façade on its storefront this week.