The City of Winona Park & Recreation Department hired ISG in 2016 to prepare a trail and signage master plan for the Sugar Loaf Bluff Conservation & Recreation Area. In 2017, ISG was hired again to prepare Winona’s Comprehensive Park and Recreation System Plan. Through the system plan process, new opportunities emerged that warranted an update and expansion of scale to the 2016 plan. Through this plan, two additional bluff land parks (Bluffside and Garvin Heights) have been considered, and the design team worked closely with City staff throughout planning and design, and conducted several site visits to examine current conditions, trail alignments, adjoining land uses and potential conflicts, and identify opportunities for improvements. ISG met with City staff at critical points throughout the process to review preliminary ideas and gather feedback. The following document updates the 2016 plan, summarizes ISG findings, and outlines proposed recommendations to enable The Bluffs Traverse parkland to continue into its next phase as a community and regional asset.

The City of Winona embarked on an exciting journey by creating a Park and Recreation System Plan that identifies implementation steps to guide investment and development through the Parks and Recreation System over the next 15 years. With the last Plan dating back to 1978, this was an incredible opportunity to present a vision for the future that aligned with the City’s tradition of protecting the environment and embracing outdoor recreation. This Plan complements the directions established in the Comprehensive Plan and provides detailed guidance in the development, management, and operations of the system.

The City of Winona Park & Recreation Department hired ISG to prepare a trail and signage master plan for the Sugar Loaf Bluff Conservation & Recreation Area. ISG worked closely with City staff throughout planning and design and conducted several site visits to examine current conditions, trail alignments, adjoining land uses and potential conflicts, and identify opportunities for improvements. ISG met with City staff at critical points throughout the process to review preliminary ideas and gather feedback. The following document summarizes ISG findings and outlines proposed recommendations to enable Sugar Loaf’s continuation as a community and regional asset.