By Shannon Fiecke, Staff Writer
Scott County has a good chance of winning up to $1 million to put a three-mile trail along County Road 101 in Shakopee, connecting a large portion of the Minnesota Valley Trail.

Although preferred to run beside the Minnesota River, due to historic cultural sites and environmental impediments, the segment would instead pass in front of The Landing and Valleyfair along county road right-of-way.

The approximately $1.25 million project would be a major step toward completing a state trail intended to run continuously from Belle Plaine to Fort Snelling State Park, according to Tamara Simonich, operations supervisor for the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area.

Economic woes aside, the trail segment is one of a few projects that may advance in Scott County thanks to park and trail dollars still flowing from the state’s new constitutionally dedicated sales tax, as well as federal transportation funds.

Topping the wish-list for Scott County is Spring Lake Regional Park near Prior Lake, which has languished undeveloped for more than 30 years.

A more controversial project under consideration is a wildlife preserve next to Doyle-Kennefick Regional Park in Cedar Lake Township, which would be opened for hunting. Commissioner Jon Ulrich had questions last week about having hunting beside the park and near private property.

For more on these projects, see today's print edition of the Shakopee Valley News.