By Judy Erickson, government relations director
Many in Minnesota's park and trail community had a vision in mind when they worked on the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment for over a decade. Now that the Parks and Trails Fund has been established, it has become very clear that legislators want a full and broad discussion about what will be accomplished in the next 25 years as a result of the new funding.
In the House, HF1967, contains $250,000 for a collaborative project to develop a 25-year framework for the use of the money available in the new Parks and Trails Fund as well as traditional sources of funding. This is a collaborative effort that will involve park and trail agencies from all areas of the state, citizens, and park and trail stakeholders like the Parks & Trails Council. This framework will be due to the Legislature by Oct. 1, 2010 with the intent that future funding decisions will be based on the framework.
The Senate is taking a slightly different and more expensive approach to developing an inventory and framework. SF2028, authored by Sen. Patricia Torres Ray (DFL-Minneapolis) provides $700,000 to the University of Minnesota Center for Changing Landscapes to develop an inventory of Minnesota's parks and trails, a long-range, 25-year framework and a Web guide that will include information on all Minnesota's parks and trails in one statewide Web system. The development of the inventory and framework is to also involve park and trail agencies from all areas of the state, citizens, and park and trail stakeholders like the Parks & Trails Council. This framework will be due to the Legislature by Oct.1, 2010 with the intent that future funding decisions will be based on the framework.
Clearly, the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota and its members will have an opportunity to participate in the development of a 25-year vision, no matter which approach the Legislature eventually settles on. Our members have the experience and passion to bring a strong citizen perspective to the future of Minnesota's parks and trails. The new Legacy funding has given us the chance to pass on Minnesota's great outdoor tradition and parks and trails legacy to future generations of Minnesotans.
