Fall 2021 Hometown Messenger

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Petersen held the role of Assistant City Administrator in Chanhassen for four and a half years. The southwest metro, she said, has called to her for quite some time. “My husband and I moved to Savage about 10 years ago,” Petersen said. “We love this area. We go to Canterbury for buck night. We enjoy dinner at O’Briens.” “I moved around a lot as a kid,” Petersen explained. “I’ve lived here twice as long as I’ve lived anywhere else, so it’s really like home to me.” An opportunity in Oakdale was too good to pass up when she was offered the job of Administrative Services Director two years ago. Petersen began making the 40-minute commute daily to the eastern suburb to manage the city’s finance, communications and IT divisions. “I learned a lot there,” she said. “It was a great opportunity to grow.” Oakdale, a community of around 30,000, had not seen significant growth in the last 20 years. “In the last couple years, they’ve been working through some of the most growth that the city has seen in some time,” Petersen said. Over 200 acres of housing has been developed since Petersen started in Oakdale. “Being able to be there as the city starts to grow and have a hand in that is pretty interesting.” But the call to return home has been great for Petersen.

She was thrilled to apply with Shakopee this spring, after former Assistant City Administrator Nate Burkett was hired as City Manager in West Saint Paul. “It is cool and rewarding to have ownership in a community I have a stake in,” Petersen explained. “To come back and be home was a really big draw.” But the draw to Shakopee isn’t just about coming home. “Shakopee has made significant investments in itself,” she said. “Whether it’s City Hall or the Ice Arena, seeing investment in the community is really great.” Petersen brings experience from her time in a community that was experiencing growth, and although there are challenges to growth, “that’s part of the draw here,” she said. “I really love the southwest metro and how much it’s changing and growing.”

Mountain Bike Park soon ready for riders New bike park will challenge riders of all levels

Nestled in a grove of trees at Quarry Lake Park, residents will soon hear the turning of gears, flickering of spokes and the churning of dirt at the brand-new Xcel Energy Mountain Bike Park. This collaborative effort between Xcel Energy, the City of Shakopee, Shakopee School District and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, is sure to be a hit with bikers from across the Twin Cities. “When I think about how this park will be used, I can’t help but feel pride,” said Mayor Bill Mars. “This is the perfect example of what can get done when great partners work together towards a singular goal.” The Xcel Bike Mountain Bike Course features three different courses to give riders of all skill levels a challenging and fun experience. With 4.6 total miles of tracks looping around Quarry Lake, mountain bikers and fat tire bike riders can use the tracks throughout the year. “Believe it or not, Shakopee has quite a few passionate bikers,” said Senior Planner Kyle Sobota. “I think this course is going to get quite a bit of use.” Sobota, also a coach for Shakopee High School’s Mountain Biking Team, expects that his students will get good use out of the course as well. The school district, a key partner in developing the course, will train at the course. “This is just a great, cooperative and collaborative effort,” said Superintendent Mike Redmond at the park’s groundbreaking last summer. “It’s good for the kids and good for lots of other people in the community.”

The design of the park was headed up by the city. Along the course’s three unique runs, users will find a number of challenging obstacles. Perhaps the most unique is a fallen tree that has been converted into a ramp. Other obstacles include boulders, jumps and more. A trailhead will be installed giving riders a place to rest and repair their bikes. Maintenance for the park will be split between the city and several volunteer biking organizations which will monitor the course. The property for the park is located on property partially owned by Xcel Energy. Xcel Energy provided a license agreement that allowed the city to build the course on portions of their property. Xcel has been involved in similar park projects around the country, but this is the first example of a mountain bike course that the company has been a part of. “This new mountain bike park is a great example of public and private partners working together to benefit the community,” said Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy-Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota at last summer’s groundbreaking ceremony. “Xcel Energy is proud to support this mountain bike trail.” Funding for the $281,000 course was shared between the Shakopee School District, the city and a generous donation from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC). “These mountain bike trails will be a great new recreational offering, helping us get exercise and explore nature,” said SMSC Chairman Keith Anderson. “The park will benefit the region, and our tribe is glad to have a role in making it happen.” The Xcel Energy Mountain Bike Park is set to open on Aug. 24. Trails will be accessible at Quarry Lake Park throughout the year. Residents can use the park daily between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., and the courses will remain open as long as trail conditions are good.

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