In 1980 the "Interstate Commerce Commission issued an order, authorizing abandonment of the Soo Line railroad track on January 23, 1980, 'conditioned on a public use in accordance with the plans of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.'

"[3] At the urging of county governments, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) took steps to acquire the eastern 10 miles (16 km) of the designated rail.

However citizens owning abutting private property started a bidding war in an attempt to stop the creation of the trail.

In a landmark decision, the Minnesota Supreme Court held that no such reversion takes place as long as the right-of-way continues to be used for public travel purposes even as a recreational trail.

A recent project, headed by local Hmong American artist David Vang, has focused on interpretations of the word "welcome" in the cultures of people who live along and utilize the trail.

Local students at the Mississippi Magnet Creative Arts School created tiles interpreting their idea of welcome, and a mosaic of them will serve as a welcome sign for a future community garden site.