Parks & Trails Council Praises Final Legacy Funding Bill

Parks and Trails Fund a much needed boost

(ST. PAUL, MN) – Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota Executive Director Beth Coleman issued the following statement after both the House and Senate passed a conference committee report late last night, which if signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, will appropriate $65 million in proceeds from the Legacy Amendment to support parks and trails of regional and statewide significance over the next biennium:

“The Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota applauds members of the House and Senate for combining their creative energies to ensure that Minnesotans will see the benefits of the Legacy Amendment they so overwhelmingly voted for last November.”

“The Parks & Trails Council especially appreciates the work of leaders in the House and Senate who worked diligently to ensure this new source of funding will address the priorities and needs of Minnesota’s state, metro and regional parks and trails. Minnesotans will be able to see improved visitor services, enhanced natural resource protection and facility maintenance, and innovative new ways to connect people to the outdoors through conservation education and interpretive service programming.”

“Obviously, we must keep in mind that while this Legacy Funding provides a major boost, it is not sufficient to meet all of the needs of Minnesota’s parks and trails. We will continue to face funding challenges and the Parks & Trails Council in particular will have a key role to play in helping the state purchase new land for our public parks and trails.”