Friends Groups

May 23, 2016

Legislative Session Closes with Mixed Results for Parks & Trails

The 2016 Legislative Session came to a close late Sunday with a flurry of activity as legislators worked to pass bills before the mandatory midnight deadline. While legislators were able to strike deals on a supplemental budget and a tax bill, the two sides couldn’t …

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Minnesota State Capitol Dome
March 30, 2016

Dave Lais

Lifelong park manager to the core

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February 19, 2016

Friends of Itasca State Park

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 Itasca State Park Mission An all-volunteer group that raises money for projects that are needed at the park. ...
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Two people kneeling to install playground structure
February 16, 2016

Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails look to make city pollinator friendly

From Forest Lake Times Members of the Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails are trying to make the city more desirable for pollinating bugs, such as butterflies and bees.
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Bee on purple flower
February 1, 2016

Rep. Schomacker receives legislator of distinction award

District 22A Rep. Joe Schomacker was honored Feb. 24 as a Legislator of Distinction by Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota during its advocacy day at the Harriet Island Pavilion in St. Paul.
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December 28, 2015

Friends of Anderson Park

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota is proud to act as the fiscal sponsor for Friends of Anderson Park.As a fiscal sponsor, we partner to advance their cause and provide the tools and building blocks to run a nonprofit, including receiving, holding and administering funds ...
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hiker in winter on boardwalk
December 17, 2015

Friends of Lake Maria State Park

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota is proud to act as the fiscal sponsor for Friends of Lake Maria State Park.As a fiscal sponsor, we partner to advance their cause and provide the tools and building blocks to run a nonprofit, including receiving, holding and ...
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Dramatic sunset over a marsh at Lake Maria State Park
October 24, 2015

Bit by bit these friends are helping build a trail

Today the Gitchi Gami State Trail, while still in progress, is one of the most iconic trails in Minnesota, as it winds along the North Shore with majestic views of Lake Superior. Yet when a group of locals got together in the mid-1990s to discuss the idea of a trail, that’s all it was: an idea in the minds of a group of locals.
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Two men standing on the trail
October 22, 2015

Friends of the Mill Towns State Trail

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 the Mill Towns State Trail Mission Support the continued development of the Mill Towns State Trail. Friends Since ...
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October 1, 2015

Friends group forms for Luce Line Trail

These Friends are a collection of community leaders and trail enthusiasts from the areas around Hutchinson and Winsted in Central Minnesota, about 60 miles due west from the Twin Cities. While they have been busy with the logistics of starting a friends group
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bicyclists gathered at trailhead
October 1, 2015

Banding together to save a natural gem

Anderson Park in Isanti County is an almost perfect example of what can be accomplished when a family, a government body and a group of willing and active volunteers come together.In 2007, the Anderson family began talking to Isanti County about selling their 174-acre farm to the county.
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hiker in winter on boardwalk
August 26, 2015

Gitchi-Gami Trail Association

Parks & Trails Council is proud to partner with this independent friends group.Parks & Trails Council cannot accept donations on behalf of this friends group. Gitchi-Gami Trail Association Mission Work with MnDOT and DNR in the planning, development, construction, maintenance, and promotion of the trail, ...
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Two men standing on the trail
June 13, 2015

Mississippi Blufflands: Trail Authorized

This bill authorizes the establishment of a new state trail originating at the Cannon Valley Trail in Red Wing, MN and extending southeasterly along the Mississippi River through Frontenac State Park and ending in Lake City, MN. Additionally, the bill appropriates
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June 13, 2015

Harmony-Preston Valley: Trail Extension

This bill authorizes the DNR to extend the Preston-Harmony State Trail to the Iowa border, with a connection to Niagara Cave.
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June 2, 2015

Grand Opening of Brown’s Creek State Trail

Saturday, June 6 from 9am - 1pm is the grand opening of the Brown's Creek State Trail. The celebration will include five naturalist stations along the trail with activities to learn about the natural resources. The ribbon cutting will begin at 10am at the Stillwater trailhead and will include speaches, kids activities and music.
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Browns Creek State Trail trailhead