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Heavy dirt-moving equipment moved in next to Luverne Elementary School to begin Phase 1 of the Luverne Loop hiking and biking trail.
The Loop, estimated to cost $2 million once complete, will be developed in four phases over a five-year time period.
Phase 1 is 1.5 miles from the Blue Mound Trail on the north edge of town to the Veterans Memorial Pond west across Highway 75 through Tonto Park to the top of the existing berm west of the city. The trail then turns south along the west side of the school ball fields to Dodge Street.
Phase 2 is a 1.6-mile segment that will run south of Dodge Street to Hatting then turn east past the ice arena to Highway 75.
Phase 3 will cross Highway 75, travel north along the highway and then turn east at Hatting and north on Freeman. It will then head east to the Rock River, then north to the planned trailhead at Redbird Field.
Phase 4 will extend north from the Redbird Field trailhead across Main St., with crossing improvements. It will then join the existing Blue Mound Trail.
The 7.1-mile asphalt Luverne Loop trail for non-motorized uses will incorporate the 6-mile Blue Mounds Trail for 13 miles of continuous path that will make Luverne a biking destination.
A master plan for the Loop is available for public viewing at Luverne City Hall and at cityofluverne.org.