Sharing the Trails in the Winter   

The use of Owatonna’s parks and 17-plus miles of trails has increased over the past year as shown by full parking lots and busy trails. Nothing beats a sunny, snowy, fresh day outside. These recreational amenities attract fat-tire bikers, snowshoers, cross-country skiers, hikers, joggers and dog walkers.

It is important for trail users to know how to share these resources so everyone has a great experience! Trails are groomed specifically for various uses and should be used as shown to preserve them. Trails with a distinct track for two skis should only be used for skiing. Groomed fat tire bike trails are narrow. Gravel, woodchip and rustic trails are groomed whenever possible if they are wide enough for the groomer to get through. Paved trails are broomed off after each snowfall so they are easy to use. Please use these on warm days with more slushy conditions to help keep other trails in good shape. Sign up at Owatonna.gov to receive trail notifications.

Check out the quick reference guide to find the best places to enjoy winter recreation. Or visit Owatonna.gov and search for the park finder app.

Salt Smart!

Deicing salt accounts for approximately 75 percent of chloride found in waterways. Chloride in water has significant negative impacts on wildlife, the environment and humans. Knowing how much salt to use and the best time to apply is critical to protecting the environment while keeping driving and walking surfaces safe.

The City is pleased to announce that all winter maintenance crew members are Smart Salting Certified! The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency provides Smart Salting Training and Certification to improve operator effectiveness and reduce chloride pollution. Participating organizations have been able to reduce their salt use by up to 70 percent. Learn more about Smart Salting Certification and best practices by visiting stormwater.pca.state.mn.us.

Alt Text: Deicing salt accounts for approximately 75 percent of chloride found in waterways. Chloride in water has significant negative impacts on wildlife, the environment and humans. Knowing how much salt to use and the best time to apply is critical to protecting the environment while keeping driving and walking surfaces safe. The City is pleased to announce that all winter maintenance crew members are Smart Salting Certified! The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency provides Smart Salting Training and Certification to improve operator effectiveness and reduce chloride pollution. Participating organizations have been able to reduce their salt use by up to 70 percent. Learn more about Smart Salting Certification and best practices by visiting stormwater.pca.state.mn.us.

Helpful Links

Stay Informed

• Events: Access calendars to view upcoming events.

• City News Releases: View news releases published by the City of Owatonna.

• Newsletters: The City of Owatonna publishes a weekly newsletter called Owatonna Update. Current and past newsletters are available here.

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