Photo courtesy MCEA/Emily Murray
Ryan Thilges, MCEA President and Blue Earth County Engineer; retired Otter Tail County Engineer Rick West; Otter Tail County Engineer Jodi Teich; Lyndon Robjent, MCEA Past President and Carver County Engineer.

Otter Tail County has been named the winner of the 2025 Minnesota County Engineers Association (MCEA) Special Project of the Year award for the Heart of the Lakes Trail.

The award recognizes the county’s completion of a 30-mile trail connecting Perham and Pelican Rapids through Maplewood State Park. The trail is fully separated from vehicle traffic, creating a safe space for cyclists, runners, hikers and others to enjoy.

Contributed photo
Left to right: County Commissioners Kurt Mortenson (District 3), Dan Bucholz (District 1) and Bob Lahman (District 4); retired County Engineer Rick West; Commissioner Wayne Johnson (District 2); Parks and Trails Director Kevin Fellbaum, Jeff Langan with Houston Engineering; Commissioner Sean Sullivan (District 5).

“This trail represents years of dedication by county staff and commissioners,
engineers, landowners and community members,” said Parks and Trails Director Kevin Fellbaum. “We worked with partners through the challenges and benefited from input by community members to create something that will enhance the lives of residents and visitors for generations.”

The project took more than a decade to complete. County leaders started planning in 2014 with a corridor study. Construction began in 2020 and finished this year after five construction seasons.

During the award ceremony, Pope County Engineer Brian Giese presented the award and shared, “Successful completion of the project required significant fortitude by those working to acquire right-of-way and design the project to address a plethora of competing interests across variable terrain and environmentally sensitive areas.”

The MCEA award recognizes a project that demonstrates unique design, environmental stewardship, community involvement and successful completion despite obstacles. The Heart of the Lakes Trail stood out for its ‘innovative funding approach, thoughtful environmental protection and extensive community engagement’. The trail’s connection to Maplewood State Park creates a unique regional trail network.

The creation and completion of the trail was made possible through the county receiving funding from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) grants.

“Otter Tail County staff and our communities showed determination in completing this project,” said County Commissioner Wayne Johnson. “This trail connects our communities and gives families a safe place to be active outdoors. It is truly a gem in our county.”

Houston Engineering provided design, permitting, wetland work, construction inspection, railroad coordination and public engagement throughout the project.

Learn more about the Heart of the Lakes Trail by visiting www.ottertailcounty.gov.