Local business leaders and community leaders gathered on September 23 in Preston for a community open house to provide input for the future of the Byway along Trunk Highway 16 from Dexter to La Crescent.
The Historic Bluff Country Natural Scenic Byway was designated as a Natural Scenic Byway in 2002. This 88 mile corridor was first designated by MnDOT as a State Scenic Byway in 1995. Features include limestone bluff, rolling hills, hardwood forests, and the Root River. It links 11 communities and passes through historic towns like Lanesboro, Whalan, Preston and Harmony.
The original management plan for the corridor was developed two decades ago. This community meeting was hosted by the Historic Bluff Country Scenic Steering Committee in partnership with the East Central Regional Development Commission (ECRDC) and MnDOT. The day’s event provided an opportunity for communities along the byway to provide their input for an updated corridor management plan for the byway. The intention is to update the priorities and goals identified in the 2002 plan.
The ECRDC mission statement is “to provide leadership and direction through problem solving”; to provide a leadership role to bring about positive change.
The definition of a scenic byway is “a road corridor that has regionally outstanding scenic, natural, recreational, cultural, historic or archaeological significance.”
Participants were divided into four discussion groups. They were tasked with identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in four subject areas (safety, recreation, community/economic development, and historic/natural preservation).
Opportunities to improve safety include ADA accessibility and signage to make travelers more aware of ag equipment, bicycles, Amish buggies, and walkers/joggers. A weakness is the lack of a constant shoulder for non-vehicle traffic. Drivers should be alerted to blind corners/curves. Kids should be informed about safe biking and use of e-scooters. Guard rails are in place and need to be maintained.
The byway provides accessibility to recreational activities including trails, the river, paddling, fishing, birding, hiking, canoeing, cross country skiing and more. There is a general lack of signage. Signage also may be needed to warn people about possible exposure to harm; for example, the presence of wild parsnip. Signage is needed on I-90 to divert travelers to the byway.
The plan could leverage the byway to enhance small town and family run businesses. Encourage locals to relax and enjoy their own local area with a day trip or a staycation. Encourage use of the byway from Monday through Thursday. Buy local and support your local communities; businesses can market to locals and tourists. Communities should work together. Encourage investment to enhance the communities along the byway. Threats to the scenic byway include power lines and other structures that will interfere with the natural beauty of the area. Special views should be identified and protected. This can be controlled through the permitting process. The experience of the byway can be sustained despite development. Weather changes can also be a threat, like the recent heavy rains and heavy run-off.
Promote the history of the area. Historic properties could be registered and promoted. Limit the types of development that could change the cultural and historical nature of a town. One weakness mentioned is the lack of indigenous information. Create itineraries for a historical route. Get local communities engaged. Sheila Craig, president of the Preston Historical Society, explained the history center has a group called “Fillmore County History Partners” that has compiled a list of historical buildings in the county.
The updated plan should protect, enhance, and promote all the scenic beauty and uniqueness of the area along with cultural and historical elements.
Interested individuals can add their input through a survey. The link for the survey will be available at ECRDC.org. City and county websites will also have a link to the survey at some point.
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