The Blaine City Council on March 2 unanimously approved submitting a grant application to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for funding to build two segments of the Wetland Sanctuary Trail.
Director of Engineering Daniel Schluender said staff first brought the trail project to the council in late 2025, when members discussed options to finance the first two segments. Since then, staff have reviewed grant opportunities to help fund the work.
The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources grant application window opens in March, and Schluender said staff wanted to confirm council support before applying. The grant requires a 25% local match, which could come from the city’s Open Space fund.
Schluender said the two trail segments included in the application are estimated to cost about $5.8 million. Blaine is eligible to request up to $4.4 million through the grant.
“We’re going to ask for as much as we can, and we’ll see what we receive, if anything,” Schluender said.
The application deadline is March 18. The city would learn in July 2027 whether funding is awarded.
Council Member Jess Robertson said she appreciated staff seeking alternative funding sources after the council realized the Open Space fund did not have enough money to advance the project sooner.
Robertson said she has also suggested other grant opportunities and encouraged staff to continue applying and keeping the council informed.
“It’s important for us to be able to communicate with residents who, in addition to us, were also looking forward to that trail project happening sooner rather than later,” Robertson said.