Author: Lisa Filter

June 5, 2019

2019 Legislative Session Recap

The 2019 Legislative Session wrapped up with Gov. Tim Walz signing the omnibus budget bills into law on May 31. Despite some unsettling moments in the midst of session, when the Senate proposed drastic General Fund cuts, a compromise was eventually reached and it ended ...
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Minnesota State Capitol Dome
June 4, 2019

Legislators’ attempt to open State Parks to off-highway vehicles kept at bay in 2019

During the 2019 Legislative Session, a handful of legislators* tried to advance a bill (HF 48/SF 1568) that would mandate a pilot project at Hayes Lake and Lake Vermilion State Parks to allow all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to use the campground and access routes within these state parks.
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May 30, 2019

Sibley State Park celebrates centennial

From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Full slate of activities scheduled for June 8 Everyone’s invited to celebrate Sibley State Park’s centennial year on Saturday, June 8, with entertainment and family-friendly activities all day. The park is located near the west-central city of New …

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prairie field
March 28, 2019

2019 Day on the Hill Recap

We had a great day as supporters from all around the state gathered for our annual Day on the Hill event on March 27. Minnesota State Parks and Trails budget is a primary concern for this year's legislative session. Additionally, we continue to advocate that ...
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Group of 50+ people grouped around table with Park & Trails Council logo
March 5, 2019

Lake Vermilion: park development

This project is included in Parks & Trails Council's 2019 Legislative Agenda. 2019 Legislative SummaryBill Funding AmountStatus$9.5 millionFully funds P&TC's recommendation, but is designated for the development of an OHV campground, which we oppose. 2019 Funding Source Sought General Obligation Bonds 2019 Bills Introduced HF ...
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Campers settling in at new campground at Lake Vermilion
March 5, 2019

Regional and Local Grants

This project is included in Parks & Trails Council's 2019 Legislative Agenda. 2019 Legislative SummaryCurrent Bill Funding AmountStatus$1 million$2 million short of P&TC’s recommendation 2019 Funding Source Sought General Obligation Bonds 2019 Bills Introduced HF 654: Local recreation grants funding provided, and money appropriated. SF ...
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Native yellow sunflowers in a field
March 5, 2019

Metro Projects: capital improvements

This project is included in Parks & Trails Council's 2019 Legislative Agenda. 2019 Legislative SummaryCurrent Bill Funding AmountStatus$10 millionFully funding P&TC recommendation 2019 Funding Source Sought General Obligation Bonds 2019 Bills Introduced HF 2163: Metropolitan Council regional park and open-space land acquisition and improvement funding ...
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Native yellow sunflowers in a field
March 5, 2019

State Parks: accessibility enhancements

This project is included in Parks & Trails Council's 2019 Legislative Agenda. 2019 Legislative Summary2019 Amount Requested2019 Amount Funded$19.5 millionTBD 2019 Funding Source Sought General Obligation Bonds 2019 Bills Introduced None yet. Final Language in Law Final language will be added here if passed. Proposed ...
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Accessible picnic table at Jay Cooke. Deborah Rose/MnDNR
March 5, 2019

Preston-Forestville: trail extension

This project is included in Parks & Trails Council's 2019 Legislative Agenda. 2019 Legislative SummaryCurrent bill funding amountStatus$5 millionFully funding P&TC's recommendation. 2019 Funding Source Sought General Obligation Bonds 2019 Bills Introduced HF 952: Root River State Trail funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. ...
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Forested area at Forestville by Jessica Hayssen
March 5, 2019

Mississippi Blufflands: trail plan

Trail development and planning for the proposed Mississippi Blufflands State Trail.
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March 5, 2019

Mill Towns: trail development

Develop one mile of new trail near Dundas and rehabilitating three miles of trail between Dundas and Northfield, Minn. Half the funding for this project was secured in 2018.
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Boy biking trail through grasslands
March 5, 2019

Heartland: trail spur

For predesign and engineering of a 25-mile spur of the Heartland State Trail that will connect Itasca State Park to Park Rapids.
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pedestrians on Heartland State Trail
March 5, 2019

Goodhue Pioneer: trail development

For acquisition and development of the Goodhue Pioneer State Trail from Zumbrota to Red Wing (an unfunded request from 2018).
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March 5, 2019

Gitchi-Gami: trail development into Lutsen

Build a 1.5 mile trail extension into Lutsen, plus planning and design costs for other segments.
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bicyclists on Gitchi Gami with Lake Superior in back
March 5, 2019

Faribault-Northern Links: trail connection

This project is included in Parks & Trails Council's 2019 Legislative Agenda. 2019 Legislative SummaryCurrent Bill Funding AmountStatus$750,000Fully funding P&TC's recommendation 2019 Funding Source Sought General Obligation Bonds 2019 Bills Introduced HF 2172: Northern Links Trail funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. SF 2160: ...
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vibrant colored photo of downtown Faribault