Freeborn County joins cities in urging DNR to finish Blazing Star Trail through Myra Big Island State Park

Freeborn County approved a joint resolution asking the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to identify a path forward to complete the remaining 0.5 mile of the Blazing Star Trail through Myra Big Island State Park. County administration described the trail as a multi‑decade project with roughly 8.1 miles completed and requested the DNR complete the final segment that communities have supported.

Administration said this is not a request to begin a new trail but to finish an existing project; if the resolution passed the county will join city representatives from Albert Lea and Hayward for a joint signing and press release in Albert Lea at 1 p.m. today. A Hayward representative told the board the city approved the request and asked that the resolution not impose any local costs on Hayward.