Regional Trail Friends

May 15, 2023

New Tracks at Belmont County Park

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails Single-tracks, also known as off-road trails, are one to four-foot wide unpaved trails that wind through outdoor spaces. Belmont County Park located eight miles from the City of Jackson and twelve miles from the City of Lakefield, has ...
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March 1, 2022

2021 Friends Group Habitat Restoration Grants Recap

In 2021, Parks & Trails Council partnered with nine friends groups to spearhead habitat restoration projects at state and regional parks and trails. See the recap below. 2021 by the Numbers $7,500 $4,360 9 82 8.5 921 Funds granted Local cash match Friends Group Partners ...
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group of volunteers stands next to buckthorn pile
December 16, 2021

2021 Recap – Friends of the Jackson County Trails

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails In This Issue Trail Projects Bicycle Friendly Community Status Activity Highlights Click image to read Go to friends' main page
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Two volunteers stand next to tandem bicycle with twinkle lights on wheels
December 14, 2021

City of Jackson named a silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails In 2018, a story was written by the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota regarding Jackson's Bike Friendly Community success... "Think of prairie breezes rolling across tall grasses. Think of frostbitten winters and locust swarms and bumper crops. Think of ...
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Volunteers fix multiple bicycles
September 30, 2021

Friends raise funds for trail environmental assessment and more

Amidst the pandemic, Friends of the Lake Vermilion Trail has been quite busy. First, they formalized from a work group to a nonprofit organization in August of 2020. Then, they immediately hit the ground running to raise money—one of the main reasons for formalizing the ...
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volunteer flagging for environmental assessment
August 31, 2021

Meet Chisago County Parks & Trails Foundation

Since the '90s, Chisago County Parks & Trails Foundation has played a critical role in developing trails in the county. Their efforts to spread awareness, promote the benefits of trails, and raise money have contributed to the development of the Sunrise Prairie Trail and Swedish ...
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group gathered under banner and cutting a ribbon
April 13, 2021

Friends of the Lake Vermilion Trail Seeks Board Members

From Friends of the Lake Vermilion Trail Position: Board Member Posting date: April 13, 2021 Contact: lvtinfo@yahoo.com Note: This posting has been shared at the request of the friends group. These postings remain on the website indefinitely, so be sure to reach out to the ...
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Cutting the ribbon on the new campground for Lake Vermilion State Park
April 5, 2021

P&TC issues 9 grants to friends groups for habitat restoration projects

Nine volunteer-led friends groups will implement habitat restoration projects at Minnesota parks and trails this year with funds issued by Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota (P&TC). The projects include planting and protecting trees, removing invasive species, and collecting native plant seeds. The projects will ...
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shovels and trees that are ready to be planted
March 5, 2021

Chisago County Parks & Trails Foundation

Parks & Trails Council is proud to partner with this independent friends group.Parks & Trails Council cannot accept donations on behalf of this friends group. Chisago County Parks & Trails Foundation Mission Chisago County Parks & Trails Foundation works to create and celebrate the outdoors ...
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two bicyclists on trail bridge
December 28, 2020

State Farm “Quotes for Good” Sponsors Friends of the Lake Vermilion Trail

From Friends of the Lake Vermilion Trail Friends of the Lake Vermilion Trail is excited to be selected as State Farm Agent Tim Johnson’s Quotes for Good program sponsored organization during January and February 2021.  For every quote provided on a potential auto, fire, life, ...
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lichen covered rocky lakeshore with evergreens in distance
December 4, 2020

November 2020 Newsletter – Jackson County Trails

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails In This Issue Jackson Active Living Plan Update JCC Schools Safe Routes to School COVID-19 Active Living and Trail Response Photo courtesy of Friends of the Jackson County Trails Click image to download. Go to friends' main page
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An older couple ambles down the paved bike trail
October 14, 2020

Trail building update: Swedish Immigrant Trail connects into Interstate State Park

On a perfect fall day on October 10, a small group of people gathered for a ribbon-cutting for the newest half-mile segment of the Swedish Immigrant Trail. This extension is small in length, but big in impact as it connects into Interstate State Park with giant maple trees and dramatic ravines.
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Two women with three children all on bicycles
December 19, 2019

Friends of the Jackson County Trails – 2019 Newsletter

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails In This Issue Brief History of Jackson Trails Bicycle Friendly Community Designation Jackson County Active Living Plan Project updates: Dewey Street Trail, Belmont County Off-Road Trail, Jackson Bike Share, Bike to Work Day, Bicycle Repair Day Photo by: ...
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A family of bikers heads down the trail
October 14, 2019

Volunteers Needed to Clean Bird Houses

From Lake Wobegon Trails Association Would you like to enjoy the last of the fall days outside on the Lake Wobegon Trail? Stearns County Parks could use your help! Throughout the trail there are bluebird houses that need to be opened and cleaned out. Biking, ...
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bird silhouette
October 8, 2019

Lake Vermilion Trail Executive Director Search

From Lake Vermilion Trail Work Group The Lake Vermilion Trail Joint Powers Board is recruiting for a part-time Executive Director. Resumes must be received by October 31, 2019. See Position Description below. Interested applicants can email their resume to lvtinfo@yahoo.com or mail their resume to: ...
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Group shot of 12 members outside holding award