Construction prompts temporary closure of Paul Bunyan State Trail

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Construction prompts temporary closure of Paul Bunyan State Trail on southeast side of Lake Bemidji through mid-June
(Released May 12, 2011)


While construction is underway on a new segment of the Paul Bunyan State Trail on the southeast side of Lake Bemidji, the trail will be closed for approximately one mile north of the parking lot at Fifth Street and Gould Avenue through mid-June, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The new segment to be paved extends for approximately 1.5 miles between Lake Shore Drive and the existing trail. It will provide a paved trail connection from the southeast side of Lake Bemidji to the city trail along Bemidji Avenue on the southwest side of the lake. Construction will be partly on the old Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad grade and partly on a new alignment through the south shore area by the Sanford Center and Nymore Beach public water access site. The contractor is Knife River Materials from Bemidji.

The Paul Bunyan State Trail is currently paved for 112 miles between Brainerd and Bemidji. The trail eventually will be paved for 120 miles from Crow Wing State Park south of Brainerd to Lake Bemidji State Park north of Bemidji. Future trail and bridge construction will be required to cross Highway 197 (Bemidji Avenue) to connect to the state trail at the south end of Clausen Avenue.

For construction updates and more information, visit DNR website or call the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.