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Shakopee Mdewakanton Awards $100K in Trail Grants to Shakopee School District and Cities of Elko New Market and Jordan

Prior Lake, Minn. – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) announced today that it has awarded a total of $100,000 to fund three trail projects in Scott County with the Shakopee School District, the City of Elko New Market, and the City of Jordan. These grants are part of a larger $300,000 initiative to fill gaps and augment existing trail systems and improve access to public natural areas that led to trails being funded in the cities of Prior Lake and Shakopee in January 2019.

Shakopee School District
The Shakopee School District received a $16,620 grant to incorporate a mountain bike trail into an eight-acre area of land on the corner of County Highways 78 and 79. This trail will provide a beneficial practice area for Shakopee students and neighboring club riders, as well as other community members. The grant will also help fund construction of a path through an outdoor learning space at Shakopee West Middle School, which will encourage students to foster a better understanding of and appreciation for the environment.

City of Elko New Market
The City of Elko New Market received a $18,224 grant to complete a local neighborhood trail connecting the Woodcrest and Windrose 8th Addition neighborhoods. This trail will symbolically tie the formerly separated cities of Elko and New Market together, foster a sense of community, and provide safe access to the cities’ two major community parks for families.

City of Jordan
The City of Jordan received a $65,000 grant to help fund the construction of a trail along the north side of 190th Street between Beaumont Avenue and County Road 9. When complete, this trail will connect 173 residential properties to the community and also spur the continued development of pedestrian trails in the area.

“As a community that has long held deep connections to the natural world, the SMSC is excited to help make these wonderful projects come to life,” said Chairman Charles R. Vig. “These trails will not only provide Scott County residents with a beautiful place to get outside and exercise, but they will also serve as a space to connect as a community and take advantage of the restorative benefits that nature has to offer.”

In addition to the $300,000 in trail grants provided in 2019, the SMSC gave $366,000 in grants in 2014 to fund five Scott County trail projects, including trails in Elko New Market, New Prague, Prior Lake, Savage and Shakopee.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Dakota tribal government located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Following a Dakota tradition of generosity, the SMSC is one of the top philanthropists in Minnesota and is the largest contributor to other tribal governments and causes across the country. It is a strong community partner and a leader in protecting and restoring natural resources. The SMSC’s government, Gaming Enterprise and various other enterprises are collectively the largest employer in Scott County and attract millions of visitors to the region and attract millions of visitors to the region.