DULUTH – The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa announced plans to connect its community to the Willard Munger State Trail.

Tribal leaders are designing a connection from Carlton that leads to both the Black Bear Casino Resort and the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, aiming to serve cyclists and pedestrians.

The 70-mile Munger Trail stretches from Hinckley to Duluth, and the project is expected to improve accessibility between Cloquet, Carlton and northeastern Minnesota.

The project team is conducting field studies and surveys to assess environmental and cultural factors before finalizing the trail's location and design recommendations, a news release said. The band is also seeking community input before it pursues funding.