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Photos taken July 2014 near Trailside Park/Government Drive: Ae MpWw- �° .. ti. eau Vegetation Enhancements While the entrance to Pequot Lakes defines it as a forested community,it is important to maintain that connection throughout the downtown. Amazingly,there are some high-quality trees throughout the downtown. These should be protected and augmented with younger trees that will ultimately grow into a prominent position. here have been a number of landscaping enhancements to the Trail Park in recent years. Additional landscaping in the park,combined with landscaping in the medians,bump outs and in planters along the walkways will create an inviting pedestrian feel that will connect people to the surrounding landscape. Trail Park Improvements It was reported a number of times that some visitors have turned down the Paul Bunyan Trail in their cars, mistaking it for Government Drive. While certainly a safety hazard,it also points out the lack of definition of the separate auto and pedestrian spaces in the downtown. The trail pathway needs to be defined as it crosses CSAH 11,and the entrances to the trail at these crossings needs to be marked in a way that gives confidence to bikers and pedestrians and discourages accidental automobile use. commenced[Hn25]:This is has done to some extent.A more permanent solution is identified in the Trailside Park section. There is also a need to provide more opportunities for trail users to get off the trail and interact with the downtown. Simple bike racks would go a long ways towards facilitating this,as would some well-defined turn off areas that connect to the downtown. "Destination"Enhancements/Aesthetic Improvements While a strong collection of shops will be the draw that creates the desired"destination"effect,there are other improvements that need to be made that would help define or brand Pequot Lakes. The landmark bobber water tower enhances Pequot's image as an up-north recreation destination. Building on this theme,installing a fish-viewing pond stocked with local species,similar to the State Fair attraction,would be a popular and educational centerpiece to the park. It would create something uniquely memorable about the community and would reinforce the downtown's image of a recreational hub. Pequot Lakes Staff Report August 21,2014 4