Silver Lake Walking Trail Project Completed in Virginia

VIRGINIA, Minn. — A $1.3 million dollar project is now complete for the City of Virginia.

The Silver Lake Walking Trail initially started in 2019. The bridge was a multiple phase project all to create a different way to get to schools, parks, trails, and other areas in Downtown Virginia. Part of the idea is to reduce carbon footprint allowing those to bike, walk, or wheelchair across the water. The bridge itself is about 1,830 feet long. Funding came from different grants and the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

“Year-round we love to be active and involved outdoors here in Northeast Minnesota. So, providing these opportunities here in our municipal setting to get out and fish, whether it’s right when you get off work or any other times without having to travel outside of town is a great benefit for living here in Virginia,” said Brian Silber, Parks and Recreation Director.

The new bridge brings opportunities for people to get better access to Silver Lake. Those who have lived in Virginia for a long time remember what the lake used to be like.

“That railroad trestle is where we’d walk all the way across from one end to Silver Lake to the other end. We’d be fishing off the dock and off the pier. This brand-new floating dock provides the same opportunity for everybody so,” said Mayor Larry Cuffe Jr., City of Virginia.

The mayor says he hopes the bridge will make Virginia a better place to live, work and recreate. A ribbon cutting will take place Wednesday night at 4:30pm to celebrate this project.