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Improved Pike Lake Trail Opens to Public

Prior Lake, Minn. – Officials from the City of Prior Lake, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), and members of the Prior Lake Rotary came together on Tuesday to cut the ribbon on the Pike Lake Trail and Park improvements. The newly paved parking area, trail segment, and shelter with lake access have made the trail more accessible, particularly for handicapped people. The improvements were made possible by a $76,000 grant from the SMSC and an $18,000 donation from the Prior Lake Rotary.

Pike Lake Park is a 44-acre natural area on the northeast shores of Pike Lake. In addition to the 24,000 residents in Prior Lake, the public is welcome to walk the trails and utilize this park at no cost. In an effort to augment the existing trails and to improve handicapped accessibility to natural areas, the City identified a project to pave the parking lot and a trail segment. The amenities were originally constructed with wood chip surfacing or gravel as part of preliminary improvements to Pike Lake Park. In addition, a shelter was constructed with a grant from the Prior Lake Rotary as a scenic overlook, allowing users to enjoy the vistas the area has to offer.

"This trail embodies the SMSC's priority of supporting vibrant, accessible green spaces in our region. Helping the City of Prior Lake enhance this trail benefits local residents and visitors, and we are glad to have been a partner on this project," said Chairman Charlie Vig, who joined local officials to cut the ribbon on the trail.

The $76,000 contribution was part of $366,000 in grants the SMSC announced in January 2014 to fund five Scott County trail projects. Due to flooding and wet conditions in 2014, the Pike Lake Trail project was delayed until this year. The other four projects are located in Elko New Market, New Prague, Shakopee, and Savage.

About the City of Prior Lake

Prior Lake features many recreational amenities including more than 55 parks on 1,000 acres, over 100 miles of trails and sidewalks and 14 lakes. Taken together, the parks and lakes offer a wide variety of outdoor opportunities for residents with a wide variety of interests.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. With a focus on being a good neighbor, good steward of the earth, and good employer, the SMSC is committed to charitable donations, community partnerships, a healthy environment, and a strong economy. Together the SMSC and the SMSC Gaming Enterprise (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and Little Six Casino) are the largest employer in Scott County. Out of a Dakota tradition to help others, the SMSC has donated more than $325 million to organizations and causes and has contributed millions more to regional governments and infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer systems, and emergency services. The SMSC is the largest philanthropic benefactor for Indian Country nationally and one of the largest charitable givers in Minnesota.