Author: Lisa Filter
In Memory of Mike Tegeder
It is with great sadness that we share that our past president, Mike Tegeder, 67, died in the early morning of July 9. He leaves a legacy of dedication and preservation of Minnesota’s parks and trails, among his many accomplishments. He was diagnosed with cancer in February.
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Major blowdown spurs plans for a new future at St. Croix State Park
This spring planners began the process to create a master plan for St. Croix, which is the largest state park in Minnesota. Having been created before the master plan was a requirement, this will actually be the first plan for the park. This plan will be significant for another reason too. The DNR recently designated St. Croix as a “destination” park and lead planner Jade Templin explained that this “gives us our first chance to incorporate the new idea of a destination park into a plan and more fully develop what it means.”
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2016 Summer Newsletter
Inside this issue:
Legislative recap
Itasca turns 125 years old
St. Croix State Park Planning Underway
Meet a Friend: Prairie Visions
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DNR Release: DNR decides not to rebuild Blue Mounds State Park dam
The Department of Natural Resources has decided against rebuilding the dam and lake reservoir at Blue Mounds State Park near Luverne in southwestern Minnesota, citing concerns about water quality, endangered species and other factors.
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DNR Release: DNR extends Fort Ridgely State Park golf season to Sept. 5
Rivers also announced the DNR is forming a citizen advisory committee that will be consulted on future development of the park.
“While the DNR will no longer provide golfing at Fort Ridgely State Park, we are committed to managing and investing in this historically significant site at one of Minnesota’s oldest state parks,” Rivers said. “Fort Ridgely is among our core state parks because of its natural landscape and historic significance, and we want to engage the public in re-imagining how we can re-invigorate this special place for all Minnesotans.”
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Building a trail to connect pastoral towns
In 1990, community leaders in southern Minnesota wanted to preserve the area’s natural and historic resources while creating a sustainable economy. They soon formed a group to focus on this goal. Since then, the group has been diligently working, along with Parks & Trails Council …
Supplemental Budget Bill
This bill increases state park and trail funding in FY 2017 by $5.1 million. It includes $2.8 million general funds and $2.3 million from the State Parks Account. Reserves $1.2 million for state park acquisition.
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Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (LCCMR)
Appropriated funds from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund for projects that benefit Minnesota’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. The following portion of the appropriated funds benefitted parks and trails:
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2015 Annual Report Released
Join us for a brief stroll down memory lane, with our 2015 Annual Report. It was a great year when members helped us add 108 acres to Banning State Park that will protect unique boulders along the scenic Kettle River and much more.
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Trail Fee Requirement
This would have made it a misdemeanor to bike, skate, walk, or jog on a state-supported trail without first purchasing a pass.
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Parks & Trails Bills Tracker Now Live
To help you stay on-top of these and other bills affecting parks and trails, we have created a bills tracker on our website. As bills are introduced and progress through the legislative process, we will update them in our tracker.
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White-nose syndrome, a disease that can kill bats, confirmed in Minnesota
The MNDNR has confirmed cases of white-nose syndrome affecting hibernating bats at Lake Vermilion-Soundan Underground Mine State Park. Starting in late January, several hundred bats have been found dead near the main entrance to the mine.
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Continuing the work of the “giants”
By Mike Tegeder, president
We stand on the shoulders of giants. Brett Feldman, Parks & Trails Council (P&TC) executive director, often talks of these “giants,” who founded P&TC over 60 years ago, and so many others throughout our state who have literally been trailblazers as they dedicated themselves to our ever-growing trails system.
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We stand on the shoulders of giants. Brett Feldman, Parks & Trails Council (P&TC) executive director, often talks of these “giants,” who founded P&TC over 60 years ago, and so many others throughout our state who have literally been trailblazers as they dedicated themselves to our ever-growing trails system.