Woodbury to Close on La Lake Land, Plans Trail Connection

Woodbury expects to close Friday on a 30-acre parcel at La Lake, part of plans to expand the city’s open space offerings and provide trail connections in the future.

The wooded parcel, which includes part of the lake, is adjacent to the existing La Lake Open Space, and would allow the city to connect a trail from Military Road north through the property to Bailey Road, according to Parks and Recreation Director Bob Klatt.

The cost of the land is $715,000, and the Washington County Board on Tuesday approved a measure that will provide up to $247,000 in Land and Water Legacy funds for the purchase. The remainder will come from the city’s Park and Open Space Fund.

The La Lake parcel was “No. 1 on our list” for open-space acquisitions, Klatt said.

“We want to keep much of it in its natural state,” he said.

A master plan for the space will likely be developed early next year, and could include keeping one of the structures on the property, the site of a former kennel, as a park outbuilding, Klatt said.

Other buildings will likely be removed, and the city may also provide vehicle access to the site off Bailey Road, though there is no formal plan in place at this point, Klatt said.

The parcel will mark the next major park development for the city and Woodbury staff will hold public meetings to gather input, Klatt said. Work at the site could include some paved trails and begin as soon as next year.

The Land and Water Legacy program is a voter-approved $20 million bond referendum fund to be used to purchase interests in lands to improve water quality of rivers, lakes and streams; protect drinking water resources; purchase parkland; preserve wetlands and woodlands; and protect land along water bodies from development.

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