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Friends of the Mill Towns State Trail

Friends help secure major funding for trail extension

Overall, this was a good year for parks and trails, but especially so for the Mill Towns Trail, which saw an incredible $8.19 million investment from the 2023 bonding bill. The Friends of Mill Towns State Trail were instrumental in making it happen. Over the …

Group of 11 people standing on an outdoor plaza

March 31, 2022

Community Support for the Mill Towns State Trail

Friends of the Mill Towns State Trail has been a steadfast supporter and local advocate for the Mill Towns State Trail. From advocacy to financial contributions, the friends continue to work behind the scenes to move trail development forward throughout the trail corridor. The group's ...

February 10, 2022

2022 Legislative Monitoring: Community-driven trail projects

We support volunteer friends groups to advocate for trail projects in their communities. The table below highlights key actions that have been taken on this priority issue during the 2022 Legislative Session. We will work to update this table throughout the session. Casey Jones State ...

March 4, 2020

Partnerships and advocacy for the Mill Towns State Trail

Since the late 90s, Friends of the Mill Towns Trail has garnered support for the Mill Towns State Trail. A common thread throughout their history reveals strong partnerships as a key driver in the accomplishments so far. Partnerships at work First and foremost, the friends ...

May 29, 2019

Bridge installed across Cannon River for the Mill Towns State Trail

From Friends of the Mill Towns State Trail A bridge was put into place on Friday, May 24 on the west side of Hwy 21 over the Cannon River for the Mill Towns State Trail. Once complete, the bridge and newly constructed section of trail ...

crane installing a trail bridge over a river

November 26, 2018

Trail connection groundbreaking & other updates about the Mill Towns Trail

From Friends of the Mill Towns State Trail Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 13, Paul Penansky, Director of Parks & Recreation in Faribault, led us in a ground breaking for the Cannon River bridge which will connect trail from 17th Street to White Sands trail head and ...

Ten people dig their shovels into a pile of dirt for the ground breaking ceremony

November 9, 2018

Celebrate the Mill Towns Trail Groundbreaking

The next phase of construction on the Mill Towns Trail will begin soon. Come join trail supporters on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 4pm to celebrate the groundbreaking. The event will be held at the White Sands Trailhead at 900 Lyndale Ave. N in Faribault.

May 31, 2018

Nineteen projects receive funding during 2018 legislative session

Overall, the 2018 legislative session was a fairly good one for parks and trails. On May 30, Gov. Dayton signed the bonding bill, which included funding for 19 of the 25 projects we were advocating for in our legislative agenda this year. Projects receiving full …

screenshot of webpage with 2018 investment projects

March 9, 2018

Friends from around the state gather for Day on the Hill

On March 8, some 60 parks and trails supporters from across the state gathered for Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota's annual Day on the Hill event.

Group shot of the 2018 Day on the Hill attendees

May 16, 2017

Mill Towns State Trail Segment Grand Opening Celebration at Lake Byllesby

Saturday, June 3 from 2-5 pm at Lake Byllesby Regional Park in Goodhue County (Google Map) We’ve been looking forward to this day for five years, since we began partnering to acquire a key parcel for the trail, and now it’s here! Come celebrate the opening of the …

March 2, 2017

DNR highlights new parks and trails offerings for 2017

New offerings come after record number of visitors utilize state’s parks and trails system in 2016; DNR seeks moderate fee increases to support increased demand for parks and trails maintenance and services. A variety of new experiences await visitors to Minnesota state parks and trails in 2017. For example, you can:

October 11, 2016

Mill Towns State Trail Segment Opens

Like a puzzle, the newest segment of the Mill Towns State Trail involved many pieces fitting together—just so—to complete the picture. Talks began in 2010 between the DNR, three private landowners, two counties, managers of a dam and a highway. This year, with the commitment of trail proponents, the pieces came together to make a great addition to the state trail system.

August 9, 2016

DNR acquires six miles for Mill Towns State Trail

MnDNR News Release - The Department of Natural Resources has acquired nearly 6 miles of railroad property for the Mill Towns State Trail between Faribault and Dundas in Rice County.

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 …