Friends Groups

April 9, 2019

Spring Clean Up at Lake Maria on April 27

From Friends of Lake Maria State Park Please join other park volunteers as we help prepare the park for the summer season. Volunteers will be raking, working on trails and clearing bucktorn near the trail center.  Lunch will be provided. Registration is needed for this ...
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Volunteers stand by the water with the trash they collected during the clean up
April 9, 2019

Fat bikes and groomed winter trails at Chester Woods Park

From Friends of Chester Woods Are you a fan of fat biking on winter trails? New this winter at Chester Woods Park, friends members were able to pack about 11 miles of multi-use winter trails! Of those, about 8 miles have also been specially groomed ...
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Winter wonderland with a deer on the trail
April 9, 2019

Friends of Scandia 2019 Spring Speaker Series

From Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails announces its spring 2019 season of speakers. Events are open to the public. For more information contact Janie O'Connor (651) 481-3152 or friendsscandiaparks@gmail.com. Friends of Scandia members Building Resiliency to Climate Change ...
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Native yellow sunflowers in a field
April 1, 2019

Walking for Glendalough—24 years and counting

The community around Glendalaugh State Park has a deep connection with and commitment to its state park. Each year, the Glendalough Park Partners hosts the "Walk for Glendalough," a day where visitors walk, bike, or hike the many trails within the park. Many walk participants ...
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Families walk through the forest on a paved trail
April 1, 2019

Snake, Rattle, and Roll at Lake Maria on April 13

Photo by Jennifer Jackson From Friends of Lake Maria State Park Saturday, April 13 at 1pm at the trail center, Emily Roberts of Snake Discovery will present "Snake, Rattle, and Roll", a program focusing on native reptiles. Emily will bring a large variety of reptiles ...
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girl with snake
March 31, 2019

Glendalough Walk 2019 in Full Motion

From Glendalough Park Partners Preparations for the 2019 Walk for Glendalough are in full motion. Mark your calendars to spend a portion of Saturday, April 20th in Glendalough State Park. After dealing with frigid temperatures this winter, the Walk will be a great way to ...
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March 15, 2019

P&TC Issues Grants to Seven Friends Groups to Complete Habitat Restoration Projects

Seven volunteer-led friends groups will implement habitat restoration projects at state parks this year, with support from the Minnesota DNR and funds issued by Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota (P&TC). The projects include planting trees, protecting young saplings, and diversifying tree canopy.
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Oak savanna restoration project tree planting on June 2, 2018
March 5, 2019

Chester Woods Trail Group Builds Relationships with Elected Officials

Over the years, the Chester Woods Trail Group has recognized the value of building and maintaining relationships with elected officials. Working with State Legislators When the group came together back in the mid-90s, they started connecting with their state representatives. One recommendation from their representatives ...
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Group picture with Rep. Nils Pierson.
March 4, 2019

A History of the Chester Woods Trail Group

From Chester Woods Trail Group The City of Eyota started our trail project in 1993 by having it added to the list of approved State Trails, and other groundwork. The Chester Woods Trail Committee was started in December of 1995 by Eyota Mayor Wes Bussell ...
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Members from the Chester Woods Trail Group pose from a group picture with Senator Carla Nelson.
February 25, 2019

Trumpeter Swan Photography Program on March 23

From Friends of Lake Maria State Park Lake Maria State Park will host an outdoor photography program at the park’s trail center on Saturday, March 23, beginning at 1p.m. Noted outdoor photographer John Pennoyer returns to Lake Maria to share information on Trumpeter Swans and ...
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Early morning along the St. Croix River at Wild River State Park's Sunrise Landing. Backlit trumpeter swan--another Minnesota wildlife success story. by Chuck Kartak
February 19, 2019

Annual Walk for Glendalough, Park Expansion, Trail Center Project Team, and more

Excerpts from the Glendalough Park Partners winter 2019 newsletter Annual Walk for Glendalough Mark your calendars to spend a portion of Saturday, April 20th in Glendalough State Park. After dealing with frigid temperatures this winter, the Walk will be a great way to work out ...
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walk awardees post for a group photo with their prizes
February 11, 2019

Maple Syruping, Trail Realignment, Leaf Days, and More

excerpts from the Friends of Maplewood State Park's winter/spring 2019 newsletter Maple Syrup Season As we sit inside trying to stay warm and thinking about the coming of spring, the sap is thinking it's soon time to pack its bags and begin the trip up ...
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fishing off dock
February 8, 2019

The proposed Lake Vermilion Trail

Scenic Lake Vermilion is the fifth largest lake entirely in Minnesota. But its real uniqueness comes from its jagged shoreline that twists and turns and winnows to create the longest shoreline in the state. Visitors are drawn here for the wilderness-like North Woods beauty, the ...
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February 8, 2019

Nearly ten years in the making

When local resident Carol Booth got involved with planning a new trail near Lake Vermilion in 2010, she knew it was going to be a long-term project. “One of the first things I did was make calls…and found it’s not uncommon to take 10 years ...
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Group shot of 12 members outside holding award
February 4, 2019

Friends of Chester Woods

Parks & Trails Council is proud to partner with this independent friends group.Parks & Trails Council cannot accept donations on behalf of this friends group. Friends of Chester Woods Mission Support the educational, environmental, and recreational goals of Chester Woods Park. Friends Since 2009 Website ...
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Chester Woods Park sign