Duluth City Council Takes On Horse Trail Debate

DULUTH - Duluth horse owners continue to fight back after the city unexpectedly closed the Amity Creek Trail, the Magney-Snively Trail, and the Mission Creek Trail to horses. At Monday’s city council meeting, the council unanimously voted to fix 1.5 miles of the Amity Trail and designate it for horses. Horse owners say they deserve trails just as much as bikers, walkers and cross country skiers. "The saying is if you build them they will come,” said longtime horse owner Jane Ecklund. “There are a lot of people from in-state, out-of-state that would love to come and ride trails in Duluth to enjoy the view that we've got." Those opposing horse trails say the decision comes down to design."None of the trails were designed with horses in mind,” said avid trail user Kylander Johnson. “That is a real problem for the longterm health of our trails." Despite Monday’s resolution, the Magney-Snively Trail and Mission Creek Trail will stay closed until mid-December after the council gets a recommendation from the Duluth Parks and Recreation Commission.