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2020 Legislative Priorities

Minnesota’s 2020 Legislative Session was unprecedented, which is to say, it fit perfectly into the year 2020. For most of the year, the much anticipated bonding bill was stalled. It didn’t get passed in regular session (Feb – May), nor in the June, July, August, or September special sessions. Then, finally, in October, during the fifth special session, the House and Senate passed a massive, $1.9 billion bonding bill, which was signed by Gov. Walz on Oct. 22. The bill funds a wide variety of items from roads, affordable housing, and college buildings to parks and trails projects.

Below you can see details of the issues that Parks & Trails Council prioritized in 2020. Be sure to click the “+” to read the status of each issue at the end of the fifth special session.

  • Trail sign indicating no ATVs in the state park

Policy

Keep State Parks quiet and natural

During the last two legislative sessions (2018 and 2019) unsuccessful attempts were made to pass bills allowing for off-highway vehicles (OHVs) use within state parks.

We oppose all efforts to introduce or expand the use of OHVs in state parks.

Learn more

Status at end of 2020 Legislative Session

Portion of Lake Vermilion State Park opens to OHVs

Map of Lake Vermilion State Park showing the newly designated secondary unit area

Map of Lake Vermilion State Park showing the newly designated secondary unit area

All-terrain vehicle (ATV) advocates have been pushing to open up state parks to ATVs for years, and in 2020 their focus was on Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park in northeast Minnesota. Lake Vermilion is a little different from other parks where ATVs have tried to gain a foothold. When the park was created in 2010, the intention (detailed in the park’s master plan) was to build an ATV campground in the southeast corner of the park, which is separated from the rest of the park by busy Highway 169 and also adjacent to already-existing ATV trails. Because the Outdoor Recreation Act prohibits ATVs within state parks, however, the proposed campground was always on shaky legal ground, and we argued building it would set a dangerous precedent. In addition to appropriating $5.8 million to build the campground, the 2020 Special Session Bonding Bill also designated the portion of the park south of Highway 169 as a “secondary unit” to be managed as a state recreation area, which has less restrictive rules than do state parks. “Secondary units” are extremely rare, but they are allowed under the Outdoor Recreation Act. While this change does respect the letter of the law, we’re concerned that “secondary units” could be used as a Trojan horse to allow ATVs in the middle of state parks or on trail corridors through state parks. We’ll remain vigilant and fight against any such efforts.

Funding

Accelerate the pace of state trail rehabilitation

Extensive research indicates that Minnesota’s state trails require between $4-6 million to remain the vital assets upon which Minnesotans have come to rely.

We urge the legislature to fund state trail rehabilitation at $4.8 million annually.

Learn more
Girl bikes on a paved trail away from the tunnel

Status at end of 2020 Legislative Session

No bonds to accelerate state trail rehabilitation

Our bonding request for trail maintenance—based on our State of the Trails Report—was not heard in the Capital Investment Committees due to the Covid-19 pandemic and therefore was not included in the 2020 bonding bill. We will continue to advocate for increased trail maintenance funding next year.

  • The Sioux Quartzite Bridge all freshened up after an evening shower Split Rock Creek State Park by Linda Flanagan

Funding

Fix critical infrastructure in state parks and trails

The MnDNR’s assets, such as shower buildings, trail bridges, water systems, etc., have been neglected because of insufficient funding. The agency’s assessment shows that more than a quarter of their roughly 2,852 buildings are in poor to crisis-level condition.

We support the agency’s request for bonding funds to address this backlog and restore these important assets.

MnDNR Report

Status at end of 2020 Legislative Session

Status: Partially Funded

The bonding bill includes $20 million to fix critical infrastructure such as bridges, buildings, wastewater systems and more within DNR-managed lands (e.g., forestry, fish and wildlife, and parks and trails). This appropriation is far below Gov. Tim Walz’s request of $70 million and many important projects will have to be delayed.

Entity Format Date Amount Doc
Mn DNR Request January 2020 $137 million PDF
Gov. Tim Walz Recommendation January 2020 $70 million PDF
House House Bill May 16, 2020 – Bill was not passed as amended 81 votes required $65 million HF2529
Senate Senate Bill May 17, 2020 – Bill was not passed $19 million SF 3463
Joint (House and Senate)
 Omnibus Bonding Bill October 2020 – Bill passed
 $20 million
Gov. Tim Walz
 Law
 October 22, 2020 – Bill signed into law
 $20 million Ch. 3–HF1

Funding

Continue to invest in local and regional parks and trails

The grant programs established under Minnesota Stat. 85.019 have provided critical funds for acquiring, developing, and enhancing parks and trails within city or regional systems.

View details about the grant programs:

We support an appropriation of $4 million in bonding funds to continue these vital grant programs.

15 people with shovels and hardhats and sign announcing the Swedish Immigrant Trail

Status at end of 2020 Legislative Session

No bonds to fund grants for local and regional parks

FormatDateAmountDoc
Mn DNRRequestJanuary 2020$4 millionPDF
Gov. Tim WalzRecommendationJanuary 2020$4 millionPDF
HouseHouse BillMay 16, 2020 - Bill was not passed as amended 81 votes required$4 millionHF2529
SenateSenate BillMay 17, 2020 - Bill was not passed$0SF 3463
  • girl fishing from shore

Funding

Investing in metropolitan regional parks and trails

Parks & Trails Council supports the Metropolitan Council’s request for state bonding funds, which are partially matched by the Metropolitan Council, to improve and expand the Metropolitan Regional Parks System.

Go to Metro Parks Website

Status at end of 2020 Legislative Session

The bonding bill includes $5 million for grants to regional parks and trails in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

Format Date Amount Doc
Metropolitan Council Request January 2020 $15 million PDF
Gov. Tim Walz Recommendation January 2020 $10 million PDF
House Bill May 16, 2020 – Bill was not passed as amended 81 votes required $10 million HF2529
Senate Bill May 17, 2020 – Bill was not passed $4 million SF 3463
Joint (House and Senate) Omnibus Bonding Bill
 October 2020 – Bill passed $5 million
Gov. Tim Walz Chapter Law
 October 22, 2020 – Bill signed into law $5 million Ch. 3–HF1

Funding

Supporting community-driven trail projects

Trails are vital assets that communities need to increase access to the outdoors, promote healthy living, drive tourism and provide climate-friendly transportation options. Parks & Trails Council is working with volunteer groups as they advocate for building the following trails in their communities:

  • Blazing Star State Trail
  • Gateway State Trail
  • Goodhue Pioneer State Trail
  • Heartland State Trail – Itasca Connection
  • Lake Snoopy Trail
  • Mill Towns State Trail

Status at end of 2020 Legislative Session

The following projects were funding in the 2020 Bonding Bill

Park or Trail Name Managing Entity Project description Amount
STATE TRAILS
Blazing Star MnDNR To complete the segment between the cities of Albert Lea and Hayward, connecting both cities to Myre-Big Island State Park. $1.74 million
Camp Ripley-Veterans MnDNR for trail development. $1 million
Heartland MnDNR Project 1: For land acquisition, final engineering, and design of the proposed trail segment between its current terminus at Becker County CSAH 10 and Trunk Highway 87 in Frazee, and for the construction of a trail bridge over Becker County CSAH 10. $2 million
Heartland MnDNR Project 2: For final engineering and design of the trail segment located within Itasca State Park and for the construction of a trail tunnel under Hwy 71. $2 million
STATE PARKS
Lake Bronson MnDNR For design, engineering, and construction to repair, reconstruct, or remove publicly owned dams and respond to dam safety emergencies on publicly owned dams. Of this appropriation, at least $18,000,000 is for the reconstruction of the Lake Bronson Dam in Lake Bronson State Park. $18 million of the $20 million total
Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine MnDNR For the predesign, design, and construction of a campground and related infrastructure (see details above in the OHV section). $5.8 million
William O’Brien MnDNR For the predesign, design, and construction of accessibility improvements. $3 million
REGIONAL and LOCAL TRAILS
City of Ely To complete predesign, design, construction, furnishing, and equipping the trailhead facility with parking, visitor information, and restrooms for trail users on the west end of the city near marked Trunk Highway 169. $1.5 million
City of Hastings To predesign, design, and construct a separate trail for pedestrian and bicycle users along the marked Trunk Highway 316 corridor in the city. $1.5 million
City of Rogers To acquire property for and to design and construct a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over marked Interstate Highway 94 approximately one mile northwest of the interchange at marked Trunk Highway 101. This appropriation includes money for construction of a bituminous trail to connect to the existing trail system. $2.2 million
City of Shakopee To acquire land or interests in land, predesign, design, engineer, and construct a pedestrian and bicycle overpass over marked Trunk Highway 169, and establish new trail segments, to connect the Southbridge neighborhood and Quarry Lake Park. $2 million
Lake Links Various cities around White Bear Lake For grants to complete design and construction of a multiuse paved trail and route for pedestrians, bicycles, and wheelchairs around White Bear Lake in Ramsey and Washington Counties, as follows: (1) $2,600,000 of this appropriation is for a grant to the city of Dellwood in Washington County to design, engineer, construct, and equip trail improvements consistent with the completed preliminary engineering along or parallel with the shore of White Bear Lake between the Mahtomedi city limits and the western line of Washington County; (2) $500,000 of this appropriation is for a grant to White Bear Township in Ramsey County to design, engineer, construct, and equip trail improvements along and parallel with the shore of White Bear Lake between the Washington County line and the city limits of the city of White Bear Lake, Ramsey County; and (3) $500,000 of this appropriation is for a grant to the city of White Bear Lake in Ramsey County to design, engineer, construct, and equip trail improvements along or parallel with the shore of White Bear Lake between the eastern city limits of White Bear Lake and Pacific Avenue. $3.6 million
Mississippi Riverfront City of Winona to construct a paved trail from Levee Park to Lions Park along the Mississippi River in the city of Winona. $2 million
Mississippi River Trail City of Minneapolis (a) To design and construct a trail connection paralleling the Mississippi River between 26th Avenue North and the Minneapolis Grand Rounds at Ole Olson Park, all within Above the Falls Regional Park. This appropriation is intended to augment work being completed by the city of Minneapolis to reconstruct and create a multimodal corridor beginning at Theodore Wirth Regional Park and extending east to the Mississippi River along 26th Avenue North. (b) All project lighting must follow the International Dark Sky Community Program guidelines, published June 2018, and follow best practices for bird-safe lighting. The height of any beacon light must comply with the Minneapolis shoreland overlay district ordinance governing height of structures. A beacon light must be off from March 15 to May 31 and August 15 to October 31 each year, and off between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. at all other times of the year. All lighting must be shielded and use bird-safe light colors. $3 million
Oberstar Pine County To construct a 1.9-mile segment of the trail. $650,000
Perham to Pelican Rapids Ottertail County For the predesign and design of a trail segment located within Maplewood State Park. $375,000
Rice Creek North Anoka County for trail segments in Circle Pines and Lino Lakes $500,000
City of Silver Bay to predesign, design, construct, furnish, and equip a multimodal trailhead center for the various hiking, bicycling, snowmobile, and all-terrain vehicle trails that converge in the area. The center includes separated trail access for motorized and nonmotorized users and open space for trail users, parking, a wayside rest area, and a new trailhead center building that includes lavatories and showers. $1.1 million
Veterans Memorial Greenway Dakota County To construct improvements for the Greenway, including memorials, a community gathering space, and a new trail connection between Lebanon Hills Regional Park and the Mississippi River. $5 million
REGIONAL PARKS
Battle Creek Ramsey County To design, construct, furnish, and equip a maintenance building for the Nordic ski competition and winter recreation area, including related earthwork and landscaping, and for a marker commemorating the Olympic accomplishments of Minnesotan Jessie Diggins, in Battle Creek Regional Park. $1.8 million
Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary City of St. Paul For the Wakan Tipi Center project. The city may enter into a lease or management agreement under Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.695. This appropriation is added to the appropriation for the Nature Sanctuary Visitor Center. $1 million
Cascade City of Rochester For predesign, design, construct, furnish, and equip improvements of a capital nature, including a pavilion, an amphitheater, performance facilities, picnic shelters, restroom facilities, play areas, park access, and landscaping. $2.5 million
Lake Waconia Carver County To design, construct, and equip a waterfront pavilion with restrooms and a concession building, and to design, construct, and equip utility connections. $2.5 million
Mississippi Gateway Three Rivers Park District To predesign, design, and engineer improvements, and to construct a canopy walkway and playground development, pedestrian trail connections, landscape restoration and enhancements, and habitat restoration. $5 million