Parks & Trails Council Wins $10,000 Grant
Thanks 10,000 times over to everyone who voted for the Parks & Trails Council's project in Midwest Mountaineering's Wildlands Acquisition online voting contest, which ended at noon Dec. 28, 2011. We learned from Midwest Mountaineering Founder and Owner Rod Johnson earlier today that the Parks & Trails Council's Mill Towns Trail project had received the most votes and that we had won the $10,000 grant to help make the project possible.
The Parks & Trails Council will use the grant to create multiple new outdoor recreation opportunities on land and water by securing a critical parcel on the eastern shore of Lake Byllesby. This 80-acre parcel would connect two regional parks to each other and protect land for a 1,500-foot canoe portage and 3.75 miles of trail heading east along the southern shore of the Wild and Scenic Cannon River. When completed, it will connect the Mill Towns State Trail to the popular Cannon Valley Trail.
This acquisition will provide multiple, year-round outdoor recreation opportunities, including biking, hiking, walking, canoeing, kayaking, jogging and rollerblading. The trail setting is ideal, close to the river where trail users can enjoy the beauty and geography of the area and see a host of wildlife in their natural setting. The regional and county parks offer a campground, beaches, picnic shelters and access to other key trail systems.
We are grateful to Midwest Mountaineering and to all of you who voted and who encouraged your friends to vote for the Parks & Trails Council through incredibly creative email, Facebook and Twitter announcements.
