Friends Groups

September 1, 2020

Trail group continues steadfast support amidst pandemic, refreshes logo

Meet the Friends of the Casey Jones State Trail Association Recently, the friends group played a crucial role in helping to advocate for funding needed to design, engineer, and pave (most) of a five-mile section of the Casey Jones State Trail. This new segment of ...
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Bike along the trail
August 31, 2020

Friends of Lake Shetek Newsletter – August 2020

From Friends of Lake Shetek State Park In This Issue Become a member 14th Annual Pumpkin Festival Recent projects Friends group workshop Photo: Peggy Hubley/P&TC Photo Contest Click to download Go to friends' main page
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Man fishing on dock with sunrise peeking over lake
July 28, 2020

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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three volunteers building a bench
July 23, 2020

NSTT: Safely holding a walking event during a pandemic

From NorthStar Trail Travelers So how does a club safely hold a walking event during this pandemic? North Star Trail Travelers (NSTT), a Minnesota club emphasizing walks in Minnesota state parks, held two events on July 18 and 19. Forestville/Mystery Cave and Lake Louise State ...
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walkers practicing social distancing at food break
July 13, 2020

Family fun to be found during county park scavenger hunt

From Friends of Anderson Park Friends of Anderson Park partners with P&TC to offer a Scavenger Hunt activity for their park. Read the article in County News Review July 9 edition: "Family fun to be found during county park scavenger hunt" Photo: Courtesy of Zach ...
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bird statues in the prairie
July 7, 2020

July 2020 Newsletter – Friends of Nerstrand

From Friends Nerstrand Big Woods State Park In This Issue Park update Book review of "Nature's Best Hope" by Douglas W. Tallamy Meet the new manager Help wanted Upcoming events Photo by: Stephanie Moss/P&TC Photo Contest Click to download Go to friends' main page
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Tree trunks
June 17, 2020

“Through the Gateway” Spring/Summer Newsletter

From Gateway Brown's Creek Trail Association In This Issue President's letter DNR update Facebook and social media update Earth Day event Gateway to Scandia extension Frog and toad calls on the trail Luv Ice Cream feature Photo by: Scott Eggert Click to download Go to ...
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June 8, 2020

DNR Guest Post from Oliver Liu: North Shore Update

Amidst Arielle Courtney's parental leave, we'll hear from some DNR staff across Minnesota to hear their perspectives. Oliver Liu is the Area 2C Specialist, working on paved trails and water trails out of Two Harbors. Read his story for an update on what's happening on ...
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Father and daughter look over lake Superior with bikes
May 26, 2020

Tracks & Trails – 100th Newsletter Issue

From Glendalough Park Partners In This Issue Note from original newsletter editors Partnership with the Sentencing to Serve Program Exploring Glendalough's "Sense of Place" Facebook page debut Remembering Pam President's Remarks Jeff's Jottings Photo by: Lisa Filter Click to read full newsletter Go to friends' ...
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Newsletter masthead: Tracks and trails Spring 2020 #100
May 26, 2020

Connecting with the Community through the Radio

Friends of Chester Woods found an interesting way to connect with their broader community—through the radio. We'll take a journey through the behind-the-scenes process that brought them on air. KRPR 89.9 is a Classic Rock radio station in Rochester, and every two weeks they host ...
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Chester Woods Park sign
May 26, 2020

Fall/Winter 2019 Newsletter Updates

From Friends of Blue Mounds State Park In This Issue Notes from the Naturalist Park Notes Grants Update Photo Corner Photo by: Tanya O'Leary Click to Read Full Newsletter Go to friends' main page
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May 7, 2020

Friends groups creatively connect people to their parks through activities

Friends groups thrive on bringing people together within the park or trail they support. They organize educational events, volunteer work days, and social gatherings. Now, within the context of social distancing guidelines, friends groups are getting creative in how they are connecting their community with ...
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April 13, 2020

Goats are Taking Over Chester Woods Park

From Friends of Chester Woods What’s more fun than watching goats at play? How about watching goats accomplishing much needed work for the parks while they do their goat ‘thing’? Faced with overwhelming amounts of invasive buckthorn, honeysuckle and overgrown brush in the park, Friends ...
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Goats roaming at the park
April 10, 2020

Friends of Lake Maria State Park

Providing public and youth engagement opportunities
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volunteer in a bright yellow vest
April 8, 2020

Spring 2020 News at Chester Woods Park

From Friends of Chester Woods In This Issue Goats for invasive species Bridge decking Volunteer hours in 2019 25th Anniversary of park Photo by: Friends of Chester Woods Click to view full story Go to friends' main page
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bridge re-decking over water