Former Eyota Mayor Wes Bussell, Senator Dave Senjem, and Chester Woods Trails Chair Jeff St.Mane at the March 16, 2012 Parks & Trails Council on the Hill Day.
Whitewater Country Loop Trail group lobbied at the Minnesota State Capital on February 28, 2008.
Chester Woods State Trail
Whitewater Country Loop Trail - Phase II Chester Woods State Trail
September 17, 2019
Overview
The Chester Woods State Trail, part of the planned Whitewater Country Loop Trail, will connect Rochester to Chester Woods County Park and, eventually, the city of Eyota and Dover. This phase of the project would complete a beautiful 5-mile trail along Bear Creek, connecting Rochester to Chester Woods County Park, and begin land acquisition for the future trail into Eyota.
History
Phase I : Land between County Road 11 on outskirts of Rochester and Chester Woods has been appraised, surveyed and purchased.
- 1995: Project began with organized trail group
- 1998: Cost estimates developed for the 5 mile section from City of Rochester to Chester Woods County Park including proposed route
- 1999: Bonding funds received (Phase I)
- 2005: Bonding funds received (Phase I)
- 2006: Bonding funds received (Phase I)
- 2008: Bonding funds received (Phase I)
- 2014: Phase I construction bid
- 2015: Phase I construction completed
- 2018: Phase II funded