Vision:

Songbird Trail is a proposed 50-mile regional trail for walking, biking, and rolling that transforms a historic Union Pacific rail corridor into a safe, scenic, and accessible route connecting the heart of Southern Minnesota. It will extend from Albert Lea through Manchester and Hartland in Freeborn County and eventually connect to the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail near Waterville, via New Richland and Waseca.

Background:

Freeborn and Waseca Counties developed the Freeborn-Waseca Regional Trail Master Plan in 2018 to envision a trail connecting between the Blazing Star State Trail in Albert Lea to the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail in Waterville. In 2022-2023, Freeborn County and the City of Albert Lea pushed forward with a Trail Action Plan to further refine the vision for the trail within their jurisdictions. They are now in the process of designing 6.4 miles of that trail route and will begin construction on the first phase in 2026. 

 

Railroad corridor in Freeborn County

Trail Plan Update:

This planning effort is updating the 2018 Regional Trail Master Plan to meet current requirements of the Greater Minnesota Regional Park and Trail Commission, with the goal of being eligible to apply for Legacy Parks and Trails funding to construct additional phases. 

We’re looking to reaffirm the community input gathered in 2018 and 2022-2023 and ensure that the trail vision still reflects local needs and preferences. Your feedback helps us understand what matters most: whether that’s access, connections between communities, safety, or specific alignment considerations. 

 

Railroad bridge to be rehabilitated for trail use

Trail Plan Update Map:

The proposed updates to Songbird Regional Trail can be seen below.

Community Feedback Survey: