Beautiful and peaceful 9 Mile Creek trail
I have lived in Bloomington since 2011....and since adopting my dog in 2014, I have walked with her along 9 Mile Creek almost everyday (even a snow storm won't keep us away). This daily walk brings me, my dog, and all who join me so much joy and peace. Our favorite part of 9 Mile Creek is the dirt trail from 106th Street down to the Minnesota River. It is such a beautiful area, and there seems to be so much more nature along this dirt trail vs the paved trail north of 106th Street. I see more deer here - more birds (owls!) - more small critters and more foxes and coyotes (who keep their distance). Without the heat absorbing black pavement, the trail south of 106th Street is cooler in the summer, and there is more shade from the abundant trees. I hope this does not change. It makes me so sad to think that the City of Bloomington - the people that I voted for - are considering widening this beautiful, natural trail and inviting more traffic and cyclists in. Most cyclists I know prefer to be down by the River - they want the dirt trails of the "river bottoms" - and they now have a large paved trail along the river if they choose to use that. Please preserve the beautiful, natural urban oasis that is Nine Mile Creek! Improve and repair the bridges, the signs, the trail map, and the facilities at Moir and Central Parks...but please do not disturb the nature and peace along 9 Mile Creek. Leave it as is.....for the community and for the animals, fish, plants, and trees.