Author: Lisa Filter
Meet the Friends of Blue Mounds State Park
When Blue Mounds State Park’s lost its swimming lake to a flood in June 2014, there was robust debate about whether to rebuild the dam that created the lake. The ultimate decision to not rebuild led to the formation of a citizen advisory group in 2017. Their goal: plan the park’s new future.
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P&TC secures critical shoreland for Charles A. Lindbergh State Park
Notched into a prime area for Charles A. Lindbergh State Park is a property that has been part of the Smuda family story for three generations, starting in the early 1900s. It occupies a critical place at the mouth of Pike Creek–a major water feature ...
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Shoreline restoration project planned for Mississippi Headwaters in Itasca State Park
The work will restore the original river channel width and stabilize the streambank at the headwaters site. The project is designed to minimize closure time to accommodate park visitors. Work will begin early October after the peak tourism season. Access to the site will be restricted for a five-day period.
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Special Places Newsletter – Summer 2020
E.D. Letter | Board member reflection | Frontenac State Park Project | Legislative Session Recap | Outdoors news briefs | In memory of a park manager | Photo Contest & Scavenger Hunts | Gateway-Brown's Creek Trail
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Stalled bonding bills leaves key projects unlikely this year
The Minnesota Legislature wrapped up their second special session on July 21 without passing a much anticipated public construction package, which would have funded numerous park and trail projects. Now, all hope rests on a third special session, which Gov. Walz will likely call in August to extend his peacetime emergency powers.
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Volunteers persist in improving the trail they built
The Gateway State Trail exists thanks to the vision and persistence of a small group of residents, who in 1980, rallied to convert a recently abandoned stretch of the Soo Line railroad into a non-motorized trail.
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Campground improvements greet campers at Temperance River State Park
From MnDNR A new energy efficient shower building has opened in the upper campground at Temperance River State Park on Minnesota’s North Shore. The 1,500 square-foot building, which serves the park’s 57 campsites, incorporates solar-thermal water heating, LED lighting and low-flow water fixtures to maximize …
Major land project completed for Frontenac State park
Frontenac State Park is known for awe-inspiring blufftop views of Lake Pepin. And a recent addition of 159 acres at the southwest border brings another magnificent blufftop view to the park.
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DNR announces changes to camping and lodging reservation window
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is shortening its window for making reservations for camping and lodging to 120 days, or four months. Previously, customers could reserve campsites, cabins, yurts, tipis, and lodging facilities up to one year in advance. The change will take effect on July 1, 2020.
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Some State Park campgrounds have begun a phased reopening
As of June 1, the MnDNR reopened 38 state park campgrounds with limited services. Additionally, some camper cabins and yurts have reopened. In general, the opened campgrounds have water systems and vault toilets/porta-toilets available. However, some showers, ranger stations and other value-added amenities and services …
We join the call for justice in Minnesota
Minnesota is experiencing heartbreaking pain right now as the years of injustice, discrimination and racism that have been felt by people of color for generations has come to a boiling point with the brutal death of George Floyd. We join those calling for justice. We keep our eyes open to this suffering so we can understand and contribute toward the healing.
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Legislature adjourns with much at stake in Special Session
When the Legislature adjourned on May 18, it did so without passing either a Bonding bill or a LCCMR bill – two of the most critical items of interest to all Parks & Trails advocates and supporters. Disagreements over the pandemic response and the size …
Status of 2020 Legislative Priority – Investing in metropolitan regional parks and trails
One of our priorities during the 2020 Legislature is to 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.. Legislative Process Status FormatDateAmountDocMetropolitan CouncilRequestJanuary 2020$15 millionPDFGov. Tim WalzRecommendationJanuary ...
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Status of 2020 Legislative Priority – Infrastructure
Fix critical infrastructure in state parks and trails One of our priorities during the 2020 Legislature is to address the backlog of maintenance for state parks and trails buildings and other assets, such as shower buildings, trail bridges, water systems, etc. The agency’s assessment shows ...
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Time to urge legislators to support parks and trails
Now that the four Minnesota House and Senate caucus leaders have agreed to a midnight, Saturday, May 9 deadline for bills, we are expecting a flurry of activity as lawmakers race to complete a long list of priorities, including the omnibus bonding and tax bills. Of particular interest will be whether or not the Democrat-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate can reconcile significant partisan differences to pass these bills.
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