EDITORIAL: Trail link a mighty impressive offer

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When Bill and Gail Buell offered to donate a five-acre parcel of land to the city for a future trail along the Willow River, it was welcome news for those who use New Richmond’s celebrated pathway system.

To safely and effectively move walkers, runners and bikers from the southern part of the community to the north, a stretch of trail near the river was a necessity. The Buells have stepped up to make that happen.

If the city’s pending grant application with the state is successful, the overall local cost of the entire project would be about $50,000. It’s a drop in the bucket compared to the value the corridor would add to the local trail offerings.

The Buells, along with those who have worked hard to develop a plan that will create a route that will link Rail Bridge Trail with Hatfield Park, deserve our thanks for their continued efforts on behalf of everyone in the community.

Donations of this sort, as well as volunteer time devoted to such projects, aren’t something we should take for granted. Without civically-minded people such as these, our community would have far fewer amenities than we currently have.

We applaud everyone’s time and effort that have brought this project to this point. We encourage the New Richmond City Council to be prepared to back the plan if and when the grant is approved and the local match is required.

We understand that available tax monies are limited, and appreciate the city’s ongoing efforts to operate its government in the most cost effective manner. But this opportunity is far too important to let it slide by.

Tags: opinion, editorials