Martin Slough Trail dedication Aug. 20

A trail to connect Minden and Gardnerville has been in the works for most of the 21st Century, and next weekend residents will celebrate its completion.

The nature-filled Martin Slough Multimodal Trail is ready for recreational use after recent construction added approximately 1.68 miles of new paved pathway. The new Seeman Ranch Pond along the trail also opened in early June.

“These are the kind of things that make a hometown, a town,” said former Town of Minden Board Member Matt Bernard at a dedication of the pond on July 15.

The new construction for the pond includes a floating fish dock, a pavilion with tables and barbeques, a walking path around the pond, and a restroom facility.

“I could not be more thrilled,” said Trustee of the Dean Seeman Foundation Judy Keele. “I am so thankful for this town.”

The new construction connects other existing portions to link Jake’s Wetlands in Minden to Gardnerville Elementary School. The trail also connects the new Seeman Ranch Pond to the Mountain View Nature Park Pond.

“I love it,” said Minden resident Dawn Henderson. “It is an awesome addition.”

The 10-foot-wide path completion was one of the Economic Vitality initiatives in the Douglas County Strategic Plan. Since 2010 the county has worked with public and nonprofit sector partners to add more than 70 miles in trails for the community.

The $1.6 million Martin Slough Trail project was funded by many of the private and public entities.

The public entities that funded the project are Federal Highway Administration, Douglas County, Town of Minden, Town of Gardnerville, and Douglas County School District.

The private entities are the Dean Seeman Foundation, The Ranch at Gardnerville and Carson Valley Inn.

The project was designed by R.O. Anderson Engineering. Part of the path along the Martin Slough is environmentally sensitive. This required additional studies before the trail could be finished. Studies were done including geotechnical, flood impact analysis, wetland delineation and cultural resources. A biologist monitored the alignment for nesting activities of sensitive species during construction.

Herback General Engineering was the main contractor for the construction.

According to the douglascountynv.gov website the trail addition will create a significant enhancement for community members to stay active outdoors as the paved path may make it easier for some to enjoy.

Part of the project was also to connect fiber conduit to Carson Valley Middle School and Gardnerville Elementary School. This will help keep both the physical school grounds and the school’s cyber network safe.

The Martin Slough Trail is accessible for different types of activities such as walking, running and biking.

Dogs are allowed on the Martin Slough Trail if their leash does not exceed 10 feet.

An interactive map is available for the Martin Slough Trail that allows users to look at different pictures from locations around the trail. The map includes a measuring distance tool as well as a legend to show the different construction phases of construction. The interactive map can be found on douglascountynv.gov.com.