News Release: 8/20/2021 Chamber Celebrates Grand Opening of Lift and Loop

GREATER STILLWATER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE / PRESS RELEASE Chamber Celebrates Grand Opening of Lift and Loop 

MN and WI State and U.S. dignitaries, Stillwater Mayor, City Council, Chamber Staff, locals and visitors celebrate the refurbished Stillwater Lift Bridge and Loop Trail that bridges MN and WI. 

 On August 14, 2021, Photo courtesy of Greg Schulz, Pictures Over Stillwater

Stillwater, MN. 8/14/2021 The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, (Chamber), Minnesota Department of Transportation, (MNDOT), Wisconsin Department of Transportation, (WISDOT), government dignitaries, and local residents celebrated the long awaited Grand Opening of the Lift and Loop Trail that joins the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Lift and Loop is a 4.7 mile bike and pedestrian trail which can connect to the Brown’s Creek Trail in downtown Stillwater as well as loops into Wisconsin and back to Minnesota.  The event took place on Chestnut Plaza downtown Stillwater with Stillwater Mayor and Master of Ceremonies Ted Kozlowski introducing many speakers who have worked years to make this happen. 

What opened in 1931 as a way to connect MN and WI, and then in 1989 was added to the  National Register of Historical Places, and crosses over the beautiful St. Croix River has been re-engineered to accommodate thousands of bikers and pedestrians daily. The Bill in 2012 that former State Representative Michelle Bachman and U.S. Senator Amy Klobachar had worked together to pass legislation for a new crossing bridge on highway 36, has allowed Stillwater to become more of a destination community to a larger demographic of state and nationwide visitors.  U.S. Senator Klobachar was there Saturday morning to celebrate and cut the ribbon on the bridge! 

U.S. Senator Klobachar, U.S. Representative Betty McCollum, State Senator Karin Housley and State Representative Shelly Christensen, MNDOT and WISDOT, and other Minnesota and Wisconsin dignitaries spoke about how they worked together with multiple different agencies to create the Lift and Loop.  Collaboration was the theme as various government agencies, local businesses, parks and recreation, environmental groups, and residents' opinions collectively made this happen. Wisconsin U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany stated “the trail system is so good for tourism...the balance of environment and economy,” and it showed on Saturday.  

The enthusiasm for this Lift and Loop celebration lasted all day long with entertainment, music, food and beer tent, a street dance, and was topped off with an amazing display of fireworks. “This was a two year planning effort coordinated by the City of Stillwater, with a planning committee of over 20 folks from both Minnesota and Wisconsin,” stated Chamber Executive Director Robin Anthony, ”and it was all about collaboration,” she said. For more information:  https://greaterstillwaterchamber.com/lift-and-loop

Lift and Loop Trail on Chestnut Plaza

Stillwater, MN 55082