Governor’s Bonding Proposals Light on Parks and Trails

Gov. Mark Dayton released a $775 million in bonding recommendations January 17, mostly focused on projects he says can create jobs across the state. His recommendations included only $10 million for parks and trails: $5 million for the Department of Natural Resources and $5 million for Metro parks and trails.

In contrast, the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota has reco mmended that $84 million in bond proceeds be used for park and trail projects—including land acquisition.

“We recognize that the total might well be more than the $10 million we see today, but this is a somewhat discouraging start,” said Brett Feldman, executive director of the Parks & Trails Council. “There are shovel-ready park and trail projects around the state that will put people to work, boost local economies and create healthy outdoor recreation options for Minnesotans.”

Feldman said he is particularly concerned about there being no reference to land acquisition. “With land values at historic lows in many parts of the state, it’s the right time to make investments in the parks and trails that are so important to Minnesota’s people and economic health.”

Dayton’s recommendations did not set priorities for spending on parks and trails by either the DNR or the Metropolitan Council. For the DNR, the funding is to be “available for park renewal projects, campground development and DNR’s top priority state trail projects.” For the Metropolitan Council, the recommendation is for “maintenance and improvements for the metropolitan area regional parks and trails system” and the funds are to be matched by the Metropolitan Council.

The recommendations also designate $3 million to the DNR for “asset preservation,” which includes repairs and improvements at DNR buildings. Some park facilities may be included among those.

In past legislative sessions, governors often have recommended less funding for parks and trails than the Minnesota Legislature ultimately allocated. In 2010, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed $6 million in bonding for parks and trails, plus $7.5 million in asset preservation. Ultimately, the legislature authorized $3.9 million to acquire land within authorized state park boundaries and $21.4 million for state trails. Pawlenty eliminated the funding for trails by line-item veto.

Although 2011 was not a bonding year for the Minnesota Legislature, Dayton initially proposed some bonding. That was not taken up by the legislature, but bonding was included in the negotiated agreement that ended a 20-day government shutdown. The bonding included $17 million for state park and trail asset preservation, $8 million for beginning development of Lake Vermilion State Park, $5.8 million for state trail acquisition and development and $5 million for capital improvements for Metro regional parks and trails.

That bonding “plus” may have an impact this year, however; many legislators believe that the $455 bonding bill passed in 2011 should be factored into the amount for 2012, so that the total amount for the two years is about $1 billion.

To view Parks & Trails Council's 2012 Bonding Priorities, click here.