Funding search on for multi-million dollar parks, trail project in Winona

WINONA, Minn. — Winona officials will soon start coming up with way to fund a multi-million dollar trail and parks project.

The cost is estimated to be between $2.67 million and $3.18 million for the Bluffs Traverse Conservation Area and Bluffside Parks Plan.

The project will connect multiple existing trails throughout the area. The only hiccup is doing that will be negotiating with private-property owners.

The plan is to increase tourism, protect the environment and promote economic development.

The area is seeing eroding slopes, disrupted habitat, litter and invasive species because of foot traffic, according to the Bluffs Traverse plan.

It could take several years to, not complete but fund, whether its from federal, state and/or local grants. That process will begin in the spring.

There could also possibly be sales tax increases, possibly from alcohol and beverage sales.