The city finally backed down and agreed to protect the tracks and the causeway. My hands are shaking as I type this because it has been such a long and draining road to get here. Keep an eye on the development plans to ensure they actually follow through on their …
October 3, 2020
Final supporters
Petition for Duluth's Western Waterfront Trail to be built as Rail AND Trail - Riverside to Gary New Duluth’s Boy Scout Landing
I support Rail and Trail along the St Louis River. I support extending the Western Waterfront Trail from Riverside to Fond du Lac and retaining the existing tracks that run from Norton Park to Gary/New Duluth. This will require the replacement of tracks removed for the clean-up of the Morgan Park Steel Plant site at no direct cost to the City.
I support the renewal of the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad’s lease from the City of Duluth to use all existing tracks for excursions. The railroad has served the community and tourists for 38 years. Renewing the lease allows the railroad to continue this service.
I support efforts by the Minnesota DNR and PCA to develop plans to clean-up Mud Lake that may include modifications to, rather than the removal of, the Mud Lake causeway, which is crucial for experiencing the river from the train and trails.
I ask the City to slow down their efforts to remove the causeway until the DNR and PCA complete the needed economic and environmental studies of alternative clean-up options for Mud Lake. Until the State agencies are ready to clean-up Mud Lake, the City is needlessly jeopardizing the future of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad.
I urge the City to focus on the many park and trails improvements and construction it has proposed for the river corridor that could be done regardless of what happens to the railroad.
Thank you from Friends of Western Duluth Parks & Trails
Updates
September 13, 2020
Reaching this point in our fight feels both exhausting and validating. It is clear that I am not the only one who refuses to let our local history be paved over without a real struggle.
44 Comments
The LSMR has done more to educate the public and bring people to this part of Duluth. The St. Louis River is a treasure as is the LSMR. It is possible that rail and trail can co-exist on this route.
The train is a real asset to western Duluth. It needs to be developed more to partner with the Trail as a complementary transportation mode.
I live along these tracks such a beautiful sight. We used to walk on them all the time even when the scenic train was running. We knew how to keep track of when that train came. Enjoyed fishing along them too. Even the tourist on the train would cheer us on as we were reeling one in.
With respect, I strongly urge all parties to Keep and Improve the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad for the Benefit of ALL. The St. Loouis River and LSMR environmentally and historicall are precious resources of which we are proud. Honor the importance of the river and railroad by working together as a greater community to achieve a positive outcome. Enjoy. Educate. Partake.
There is no reason to truncate the rail, nor have any environmental studies been done to know what digging through the causeway will do.
Keep the railroad
Thank you to those who have taken the time to research and put this petition together.
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The city finally backed down and agreed to protect the tracks and the causeway. My hands are shaking as I type this because it has been such a long and draining road to get here. Keep an eye on the development plans to ensure they actually follow through on their …
October 3, 2020
Final supporters
Petition for Duluth's Western Waterfront Trail to be built as Rail AND Trail - Riverside to Gary New Duluth’s Boy Scout Landing
I support Rail and Trail along the St Louis River. I support extending the Western Waterfront Trail from Riverside to Fond du Lac and retaining the existing tracks that run from Norton Park to Gary/New Duluth. This will require the replacement of tracks removed for the clean-up of the Morgan Park Steel Plant site at no direct cost to the City.
I support the renewal of the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad’s lease from the City of Duluth to use all existing tracks for excursions. The railroad has served the community and tourists for 38 years. Renewing the lease allows the railroad to continue this service.
I support efforts by the Minnesota DNR and PCA to develop plans to clean-up Mud Lake that may include modifications to, rather than the removal of, the Mud Lake causeway, which is crucial for experiencing the river from the train and trails.
I ask the City to slow down their efforts to remove the causeway until the DNR and PCA complete the needed economic and environmental studies of alternative clean-up options for Mud Lake. Until the State agencies are ready to clean-up Mud Lake, the City is needlessly jeopardizing the future of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad.
I urge the City to focus on the many park and trails improvements and construction it has proposed for the river corridor that could be done regardless of what happens to the railroad.
Thank you from Friends of Western Duluth Parks & Trails
Updates
September 13, 2020
Reaching this point in our fight feels both exhausting and validating. It is clear that I am not the only one who refuses to let our local history be paved over without a real struggle.
44 Comments
This could be an effort with a high return on investment for tourism and local enterprise. Let's avoid the mistakes made at Beacon's Pointe and do this right.
The LSMR has done more to educate the public and bring people to this part of Duluth. The St. Louis River is a treasure as is the LSMR. It is possible that rail and trail can co-exist on this route.
The train is a real asset to western Duluth. It needs to be developed more to partner with the Trail as a complementary transportation mode.
I live along these tracks such a beautiful sight. We used to walk on them all the time even when the scenic train was running. We knew how to keep track of when that train came. Enjoyed fishing along them too. Even the tourist on the train would cheer us on as we were reeling one in.
With respect, I strongly urge all parties to Keep and Improve the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad for the Benefit of ALL. The St. Loouis River and LSMR environmentally and historicall are precious resources of which we are proud. Honor the importance of the river and railroad by working together as a greater community to achieve a positive outcome. Enjoy. Educate. Partake.
There is no reason to truncate the rail, nor have any environmental studies been done to know what digging through the causeway will do.
Keep the railroad
Thank you to those who have taken the time to research and put this petition together.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
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This could be an effort with a high return on investment for tourism and local enterprise. Let's avoid the mistakes made at Beacon's Pointe and do this right.