HAYWARD &045; For many people, the Blazing Star Trail looks like it might be a nice little bike trail. To others, it means a lot more.

&uot;We’re hoping once we build it, they will come,&uot; Bonnie Felt, a Hayward City councilor, said. &uot;Any community hopes for that. You always want to bring people to the community.&uot;

The Blazing Star Trail will begin its expansion next week. Construction teams will break ground on summer construction that will extend the trail along the railroad line to the east of Albert Lea, under Interstate 35, down along the east side of the highway into the state park, and through the state park to the lake.

The project is six years in the making, and now more visible steps are being taken to make the dream a reality.

Instrumental in this process have been both the city of Hayward and the Hayward Boosters Club.

Matt Benda, vice president of the Blazing Star Trail Association, said Hayward has played a large role in getting the trail process moving. He said the booster club has been instrumental too, and that the input from both parties has helped to show state officials that the communities are serious about the project.

Hayward will be a focal point for the trail when it expands over the next few years. The trail association is hoping that a connection can be made between Hayward and Albert Lea during the summer of 2004, and, eventually, the trail can link from Albert Lea all the way to Austin.

The designated trail head will be Hayward, and Bernard thinks it a good opportunity.

One of the people who stands out in the booster club is Jo Bernard, who runs JRJ Design in Hayward. The trail is a second job for her.

Bernard said the trail provides great economic opportunity for Hayward.

&uot;We think we have a great little town with some real active businesses that people can enjoy,&uot; she said. &uot;We’ve got the cafe, Nick’s Market, businesses in the mini mall. Plus, it’s really true small-town rural America. I think people will enjoy that.

&uot;When people stop in Hayward and spend money,&uot; she said, &uot;I know it’s going to be a boon for our area.&uot;

The city applied for a $50,000 state grant to build a rest stop on the trail, but the grant would have to be matched in full locally. The stop would include restrooms, a vestibule, a trail map, information, a guide to the town, a paved parking lot and park-type furniture.

&uot;I think this is something that people can enjoy,&uot; Bernard said. &uot;Children through grandparents.&uot;