Legislature says yes to Minnesota values: appropriates nearly $25 million for state's parks and trails

(May 22, 2006) - State lawmakers showed they understand that Minnesotans value our interconnected system of parks and trails by appropriating nearly $25 million over the next two years for state park and trail acquisition, development and rehabilitation. The funding was included in the nearly $1 billion bonding bill passed by the Legislature early Sunday morning.

"While the actual needs of the state's parks and trails far exceed the amount allocated, we recognize that legislators have to make difficult choices with limited resources," said Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota Government Relations Director Judy Erickson. "But we must not lose sight of the fact that there is a reason why Minnesota's parks and trails are the envy of the nation. We must continue to make them a priority as they are truly a public resource worthy of significant public investment."

Millions of Minnesotans use the state's parks and trails each year. And we aren't the only ones. Parks and trails are the cornerstone of the state's $10.2 billion tourism economy. Explore Minnesota's tourism figures show that scenic touring and visiting state parks and trails are two of the top five reasons for travel in Minnesota. Other top activities such as camping, fishing and hiking are all things visitors to state parks and trails enjoy. Parks and trails are special places that give people access to our most outstanding natural and scenic resources as well as places to recreate and enjoy solitude. At a time of increased emphasis on physical fitness, parks and trails provide many opportunities for active and healthy living.

Included in the bonding bill is $13.95 million in trail funding that will boost efforts under way on 21 trails around the state. One of the biggest beneficiaries is the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, which will one day connect Two Harbors to Grand Marais with an 86-mile paved trail providing visitors with a safe alternative adjacent to North Shore Highway 61. The Legislature's $1.185 million appropriation for the trail will leverage an additional $765,000 in federal matching funding so an eight-mile segment linking Grand Marais with Cascade River State Park can be completed. Other trails will also benefit from state funding, including: the Paul Bunyan State Trail in Bemidji ($1.5 million), the Glacial Lakes State Trail ($1 million), the Mill Towns State Trail ($1 million), the Shooting Star State Trail ($750,000), the Gateway State Trail ($750,000), the Mesabi Trail ($950,000), the Casey Jones State Trail ($500,000), the Goodhue Pioneer State Trail ($500,000), the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail ($400,000), the Blufflands State Trail Chester Woods segment ($350,000), the Blufflands State Trail's Forestville segment ($300,000), the Minnesota River State Trail ($226,000), and the Root River State Trail Houston segment ($100,000).

The bonding bill also includes $11 million in funding for state parks, including $3 million to help acquire critical land that is now for sale within existing state park boundaries and $6 million for park building and other park infrastructure rehabilitation and maintenance. The Legislature also appropriated $2 million for an important state park Camper Cabin Initiative, which will build 75 new cabins in Minnesota state parks.

Prior to the just completed legislative session, the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota, working in concert with grass roots citizen groups around the state, had identified $83 million of critical state, metro and regional park and trail projects. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had requested $31 million to address state park and trail needs.

"All of the projects funded this session are critical to the legacy of Minnesota's park and trail system," added Erickson. "If we intend to leave something for future generations, we must continue to make necessary and smart investments in a system that is essential to our health, our economy and our way of life."