City of Northfield, Minnesota, U.S.A.

In 2005, the City of Northfield completed a Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) to identify the remaining significant resource areas within the city, and opportunities for management and restoration. Based on the results of the NRI and the growth it is experiencing, the City identified the need to develop a greenway system that would link significant natural resources and natural areas with a connected open space and trail system.

The City Council established a Task Force in early 2006 to develop the Greenway Plan. The goals for the project included:

• Define the concept of “greenway corridors” for the community
• Identify a system of greenway corridors.
• Complete an Action Plan including strategies, timelines and costs for implementing the system.

The Task Force adopted the following definition for the Greenway System in Northfield early on in their initial meetings: “The ‘Greater Northfield Area Greenway Corridor System’ is a connected system of protected natural areas and cultural resources that is accessible for human use.”

The Greenway Corridor Plan was adopted by City Council in 2007. The intent of the plan is to identifiy initial corridor areas that will be updated and modified by future plans and development as longs as the overarching goals are maintained. The adopted plan, map, and resolution are available for download here.