River at Crow Wing State Park

Legislative Priorities

Each year, Parks & Trails Council works to bring a strong voice to the State Capitol in defense of Minnesota's parks and trails. We work with our legislative committee to strategically craft an agenda to address the needs of parks and trails, from funding to policy issues.

Previous Years' Agendas

2023 Session Recap

The 2023 Legislative Session began Jan. 3 and adjourned May 22, 2023. It resulted in the largest parks and trails investment package in state history. Numerous trails received funding for extensions, and we avoided an onerous permit fee increase.

View the 2023 Legislative Recap for more details.

2022 Priorities

Capital Improvement Projects

We support funding the capital improvement requests for parks and trails as determined by MnDNR, Metropolitan Council and Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails.

OHVs Do Not Belong in State Parks

We oppose all efforts to introduce or expand the use of motorized, off-highway vehicles in state parks and alongside state trails.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We encourage and support legislative efforts to develop innovative programs designed to be inclusive of Black people, Indigenous people and people of color within Minnesota’s parks and trails.

Community-driven park and trail projects

We support volunteer friends groups to advocate for trail projects in their communities.

2022 Session Recap

The 2022 Legislative Session ended on May 23. The biggest agenda items was a bonding bill to fund capital investment projects. However, in the end, no funds were appropriated. Additionally, several major supplemental finance bills and a tax bill were discussed but did not pass.

View the 2022 Legislative Recap for more details.

2022 priorities web page

2021 Legislative Priorities

Covid-19 Relief & Recovery

Increase General Funds for parks and trails as part of Covid-19 recovery budget.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We encourage and support legislative efforts to develop innovative programs designed to be inclusive of Black people, Indigenous people and people of color within Minnesota’s parks and trails.

Legacy, LCCMR & Local Grants

We support these funding programs that have proven vital to Minnesota’s state, regional and local parks and trails.

Accelerated Trail Rehabilitation

As detailed in our 2018-2019 State of the Trails Report, Minnesota should invest $4.8 million annually in state trail rehabilitation.

Keep State Parks quiet and natural

We oppose any change that would introduce the use of recreational off-highway vehicles in Minnesota State Parks.

2021 Session Recap

The 2021 Legislative Session involved one special session that ended on July 1. Overall, parks and trails fared well. Budgets were increased and we avoided an onerous permit fee increase.

View the 2021 Legislative Recap for more details.

2020 Legislative Agenda

Fix critical infrastructure

Minnesota State Parks and Trails have aging infrastructure–such as showers, bridges, and water systems–that need fixing.

Accelerate state trail rehabilitation

As detailed in our 2018-2019 State of the Trails Report, Minnesota should invest $4.8 million annually in state trail rehabilitation.

Keep State Parks quiet and natural

We oppose any change that would introduce the use of recreational off-highway vehicles in Minnesota State Parks.

Support local volunteers

We support the volunteer-driven efforts to extend several trails in Minnesota.

Fund park and trail grants

Several grant programs have proven vital to Minnesota’s state, regional and local parks and trails. We support continuing these programs.

2020 Session Recap

The 2020 Legislative Session was unusual; regular session lasted from February – May and was followed by five special sessions. Go to our 2020 Legislative Priorities page for more details, including the status of each priority at the end of session.

2019 Legislative Agenda

A budget that works for parks and trails

There is a $3 million gap in Minnesota State Parks and Trails’ budget. The Legislature could fix this by restoring the General Fund appropriation to $27 million.

Equitable use of Legacy Funds

We support the concept of equity, coordination and balance between the needs and priorities of Minnesota’s three major park and trail systems. We believe future fund allocations should be a compromise agreed to by the Minnesota DNR, Metropolitan Regional Parks and Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails.

Support LCCMR recommendations

We support the full recommendation of the Legislative-Citizen Commission of Minnesota Resources, which includes $16 million to fund twelve park and trail projects.

Keep State Parks natural and quiet

We oppose any change that would introduce the use of recreational off-highway vehicles in Minnesota State Parks.

2019 Session Recap

The 2019 Legislative Session lasted from January 5 – May 20, 2019. Read our session recap for details about what passed and what didn’t.

2018 Legislative Agenda

Grassroots Initiatives

We work with local volunteers around the state to identify and complete park and trail projects from the ground up. In 2018 we’re helping 14 communities advocate at the capitol to get their project funded.

Management Needs

We work with park and trail managers to secure the resources they need. In 2018 we’re advocating for rehabilitation and development dollars, plus critical funding for important grant programs.

Smart Policy

We work with policy experts to advocate for smart park and trail policies. In 2018 we’re fighting to keep state parks quiet and natural by opposing the potential introduction of off-highway vehicles.

2018 Session Recap

Read our 2018 session recap for details about what passed and what didn’t.

2017 Legislative Agenda

Budget & Policy Priorities

  • Fully fund Minnesota State Parks and Trails
  • No new taxes for State Trail users
  • Keep Minnesota State Parks free from the noise and undue artificiality of off-highway vehicles, including ATVs

Capital Investment Priorities

Minnesota’s parks and trails have substantial unmet capital investment needs. Working with park agencies and local friends groups, Parks & Trails Council has identified over $100 million worth of park and trail projects ready for funding. All of these projects have been in the works for years, and were put on hold following the failure to pass a bonding bill in 2016. Projects include

  • $57.5 million for State Parks and Trails Rehabilitation and Renewal
  • $31.2 million for State Parks and Trails Acquisition and Development
  • $11 million for Metropolitan Regional Parks and Trails
  • $6.6 million for Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails

2017 Session Recap

Read our 2017 session recap for details about what passed and what didn’t.

2016 Legislative Agenda

  • Bonding bill to revitalize, update and expand parks and trails across Minnesota
    • $57.5 million for State Park and Trail rehabilitation
    • $27.7 million for State Park and Trail Acquisition and Development
    • $13 million for Metropolitan Regional Parks and Trails
    • $6.6 million for Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails
View Full 2016 Agenda

Cover of the Legislative agenda 2016

2015 Legislative Agenda

  • Restore and expand General Funds for Minnesota’s state parks and trails
  • Create a stunning park and trail legacy for future generations
  • Reinvest in Minnesota’s state park and trail’s aging infrastructure
  • Continue building Minnesota’s parks and trails through the Environment & Natural Resource Trust Fund
  • Strengthen policies that protect and enhance Minnesota’s parks and trails
View Full 2015 Agenda

2015 Legislative agenda cover

2014 Legislative Agenda

  • We support the DNR’s $77.1 million bonding request, plus an additional $10.95 million for the state trails initiative.
  • We support the Metropolitan Council’s full bonding request to support metro regional parks and trails
  • We urge the legislature to fund all, or part, of the LCCMR’s recommended parks and trails projects
  • We support the full DNR request for the state to purchase certain School Trust Fund land with an added provision to also purchase trail easements/leases
View Full 2014 Agenda

2013 Legislative Agenda

  • Restore base funding to operate State Parks and Trails
  • Make Legacy Funds truly transformative for our parks and trails
  • 13 trail projects still backlogged from 2010 vetoes; It is time to build
View Full 2013 Agenda

2013 Leg Agenda Cover