Area residents will have the chance to learn about a proposed multi-use trail running through central Washington County at an open house later this month. The paved trail, temporarily called the Battle Creek-St. Croix Regional Trail, will run for about 11 miles from Maplewood to Woodbury and Afton, said Connor Schaefer, a senior planner with Washington County Public Works. The Battle Creek-St. Croix Regional Trail will run through central Washington County from Maplewood to Woodbury and Afton. (Courtesy of Washington County) Once fully developed, it is expected to connect trail users to regional destinations such as the Central Greenway and St. Croix Valley regional trails, Battle Creek Regional Park and the St. Croix River. “We hear from the public how much they appreciate the existing trails in our communities, and the hope is that this trail will help set the stage for us to continue to grow and link our trail system,” Schaefer said. County officials are working to create a detailed vision for the future trail – where it might go, what land is needed, what features it may have and how it will be maintained. On tap for this year: visioning, site analysis, engagement, data collection, route development and plan drafting, Schaefer said. No funds will be devoted to the implementation of the plan until it is adopted by the Washington County Board and the Metropolitan Council, he said. In the meantime, county officials are looking forward to hearing what residents would want to see in a trail – and what they might possibly call it, Schaefer said. “Battle Creek-St. Croix Regional Trail is kind of a placeholder name,” he said. The open house will be 4 to 6 p.m. April 21 at Woodbury City Hall. For more information, go to washingtoncountymn.gov/BattleCreekStCroix. Related Articles At Capitol and Stillwater, a swing to commemorate baseball history MN robotics teams preparing to compete in the big one: FIRST Championship Work underway on Woodbury’s new water treatment plant; traffic impacts expected St. Paul Park: Jeff Haggerty appointed to city council Longtime St. Paul Park city administrator to resign ...read more read less