SMSC Announces Scott County Trail Projects to Receive $366,000 in Grants
Prior Lake, Minn. – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) announced today the five local governments that will receive a combined $366,000 in grants to make trail improvements in Scott County.
The recipients are:
City of Savage – $100,000 for developing the Bluff Trail Project, which will be a one-mile trail to help residents safely travel between Burnsville, Prior Lake, and Savage while only traveling on sidewalks and trails. The trail will begin at the corner of Dakota Avenue and 130th Street and extend east to connect to Quentin Avenue near downtown Savage.
City of Shakopee – $100,000 for developing the Quarry Lake Trail, which will connect Shakopee residents to Quarry Lake Park and provide access to additional local trails and businesses. The Quarry Lake Trail will extend south from Quarry Lake Park to Gateway Drive.
City of Prior Lake – $76,000 for improvements to Pike Lake Trail, including paving the parking area and a trail segment with lake access in Pike Lake Park. The project will increase the trail’s accessibility, particularly for handicapped residents.
City of New Prague – $52,000 for paving the “Green Meadow” Trail in Settlers Park, which will enhance accessibility and provide year-round access to the area.
City of Elko New Market – $38,000 for completing the final segment of a multi-use trail along Xerxes Avenue that will enhance trail safety and complete the connection between the two formerly separate communities.
“All of the grant recipients reflect the high priority that the SMSC and these local governments have placed on environmental stewardship and quality trails in Scott County,” said Chairman Charlie Vig. “The entire area will benefit from these projects, and the SMSC is excited to have a role in making them happen.”
Each of the funded projects must be substantially completed by December 31, 2014.
About the trails grant initiative
The SMSC invited local governments and charitable organizations in Scott County to apply for grants to fund local projects that would fill trail gaps, augment existing trail systems, improve access to existing public natural areas, or provide additional environmental benefit beyond simple access. Each grant recipient is required to fulfill a 20% match (in cash or in kind) and is encouraged to involve local volunteers in the project.
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 community partnerships, charitable donations, a healthy environment, and a strong economy. 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 also donated nearly $272 million to organizations and causes and paid more than $7.6 million for shared local road projects since 1992, in addition to funding its own infrastructure and contributing generously to regional governments and infrastructure.