Grand Forks City Council approves 2023-2024 snowmobile route, but with no Greenway expansion
Nov. 6—GRAND FORKS — The Grand Forks City Council on Monday approved the city's snowmobile route for this winter, but without the expansion requested by a local snowmobile club.
During Monday evening's City Council meeting, the council unanimously approved the route as part of its consent agenda. The council's decision came after a
group convened by Mayor Brandon Bochenski was unable to come to a final decision on whether to allow additional snowmobile routes within the city
. The group was formed to explore potential expansions to the city's snowmobile routes after 42nd Street was deemed unsafe for snowmobiles. The proposed solution to the lack of a north-south snowmobile trail was to use more of the Greenway — the miles-long strip of public land along the Red River — south of DeMers Avenue.
For this winter, snowmobiles will be allowed on a route on the northern edge of Grand Forks along U.S. Highway 2, North 42nd Street, 27th Avenue North and portions of the Greenway north of DeMers Avenue. Snowmobiles will also be allowed along South Washington Street up to 47th Avenue South to connect with a fueling location.
It's an issue that has been debated for a year. Late in fall 2022, the Red River Snowmobile Club approached the city about expanding the route. The club hoped to see an additional 7.2 miles of groomed snowmobile trail added from DeMers Avenue to 62nd Avenue South. At present, snowmobile access on the Greenway is limited to an area of less than 2 miles.
The proposal was not approved last year
, but club members hoped for success this winter.
During Monday's meeting, residents spoke in support of the council's decision to not allow expanded access by snowmobiles on the Greenway.
"(The decision to not expand the route) greatly enhances the quality of life for those around the Greenway," Denny O'Donnell said.
"Thank you to the council. It hasn't always been easy and especially to council members Tricia Lunski and Kyle Kvamme," Jane Croeker said, adding that she does believe snowmobile routes are "worthy of further exploration."
Several Grand Forks residents also wrote public comments about the decision. All of the comments the council received were against allowing snowmobiles along the Greenway, with some claiming snowmobiles would hurt the nature aspects the Greenway provides.
"(Trails in and around Lincoln Drive Park) are one of the greatest gems in Grand Forks, where within minutes of busy Belmont (Road) you can be in quiet woods and fields with no vehicles," wrote Yvette LaPierre. "Allowing snowmobiles will be a danger to all the other trail users."
This is the first winter Grand Forks is using a new process to decide on annual snowmobile routes. Previous to this year, the Grand Forks police chief would decide the routes and the City Council would then receive that as an informational item. Now, the mayor makes a recommendation and the council gives approval or denial of the route.
Snowmobiles will still be a feature on a small segment of the Greenway, as they are allowed on parts north of DeMers Avenue on both sides of the Red River.
In other news, the council:
* Approved an agreement with the Agassiz Water Users District for customer buyouts along areas of U.S. Highway 81.
* Decided to opt out of class-action lawsuit settlements from 3M and DuPont related to PFAS contamination of water supplies, similar to other North Dakota cities. Only trace amounts have been found in Grand Forks' water supply to date.
* Approved the Fats, Oil and Grease Abatement program for 2024.
