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The Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved the plans for a bike shelter at Frank Hall Park that will welcome bicyclists to the trailhead of the Blazing Star State Trail and promote other activities taking place in the community.

The shelter will be funded by the nonprofit Freeborn County Trail Association, which has been in operation since 1995. The cost is estimated at about $70,000, and representatives from the association said they have already raised about half of the money needed.

Once all the funds are raised and the shelter is built, the shelter will belong to the city of Albert Lea.

Cathy Malakowsky, who is the secretary for the association, said the shelter will be 42 feet by 18 feet roughly and is being proposed to be built in the grassy area north of the existing restrooms at the park.

It would feature large maps of the Blazing Star State Trail and maps showcasing other amenities in town. There could also be a place for posters to be put up for community events, and there will be bike racks and large signs welcoming bicyclists to the state trail.

Malakowsky said many do not know that Frank Hall Park is actually the trailhead for the trail, and they hope this would increase awareness.

The shelter would be built on a concrete base, and they would also like there to be electricity and in the future would add charging stations for e-bikes.

Kristen McGivern with the association said benefits include not only increased awareness that the park is the trailhead, but it would also enhance the amenities at the park and create some shade and bike racks.

It would encourage bikers and walkers to explore Albert Lea, and it would support the habits of moving naturally, in line with the Blue Zones philosophy. Likewise, it would promote biking and walking as alternatives to driving.

The women said they believed the city is poised for growth for visiting bicyclists with work being done to connect the Blazing Star Trail over Albert Lea Lake.

Second Ward Councilor Larry Baker said he thought the project would be a good addition to the area and said people should celebrate the project.

Sixth Ward Councilor Brian Anderson echoed Baker’s comments and said he thought the floor plan could be repeated at other places such as Shoff Park in the future.