Project & Event Resources
Explore Examples
Friends Groups have been very active over the years. Have a look at some precedent for ideas on how to implement projects and events with your group.
Behind the Scenes: Insights on Event Planning
Webinar: Collaborating with Master Naturalists
In July 2020, P&TC organized a webinar, inviting Amy Rager with UofM Extension and the Master Naturalist program to discuss how the program works and how friends groups can work with Master Naturalist volunteers. Jay McLaren with Friends of Whitewater State Park and Beth Hayden with Gateway Brown’s Creek Trail Association both joined to talk about how their groups are already working with Master Naturalist volunteers.
Project and Event Examples
Find examples for events and projects friends groups have been implementing.
See All Stories
Youth Engagement
Engaging kids and students in positive outdoor experiences at parks and trails is an important undertaking. Some friends groups have made this effort one of their priorities—building a stewardship ethic among the next and current generation of outdoor leaders.
There are a number of organizations that support youth engagement efforts in the outdoors. Look for more resources by visiting their websites.
Webinar: Friends Groups & Youth Field Trips
In September 2020, P&TC organized a webinar, inviting four different friends groups to share their experiences with coordinating field trips at their park or trail. Hear about the timelines, partnerships, activities, costs and funding, and more for each field trip.
Project Get Outdoors
Project Get Outdoors (Project GO) strives to facilitate outdoor experiences that develop healthy kids and increase environmental stewardship behaviors.
Training teachers and leaders
- Project GO facilitates trainings for formal and informal teachers who engage with kids in an outdoor setting.
Providing resources to families
Providing opportunities for youth to enjoy the outdoors is important at Sibley State Park
Children & Nature Network
Children & Nature Network (C&NN) believes in a world in which all children play, learn, and grow with nature in their everyday lives. C&NN is leading a global movement to increase equitable access to nature so that children—and natural places—can thrive.
Find tools and resources on their website about personal and community action, green school yards, family nature clubs, and more!
Photo by Dave Sauer
Nature Play Areas
Friends Groups are well-positioned to support land management agencies in planning for, building, and maintaining nature play areas. Find resources here for embarking on a project like this.
Some children took advantage of the volunteers' lunch break to test out the new playground features.
Webinar: Friends Groups & Nature Play Areas
In August 2020, P&TC organized a webinar, inviting Stacy Smith with the DNR to share information about the DNR’s new Nature Play Area Guidance Document as well as two board members from Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park to discuss their group’s Nature Play Area journey.
Friends Group Examples
Friends of Chester Woods
After watching P&TC’s webinar about nature play areas, Friends of Chester Woods was inspired to create a video about the nature play areas at Chester Woods Park.
Photo by Dave Sauer
Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park
Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park partnered with the park and the UofM Extension to install a play area.
Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
From 2018-2019, the Friends partnered with the park, secured a grant, and helped to install a play area.
Minnesota Children & Nature Connection
Minnesota Children & Nature Connection (MN-CNC) is an alliance of individuals, organizations, and communities engaged in a movement to connect children and families to nature. MN-CNC provides resources about the benefits of youth engaging in nature and has a great nature play areas inventory map of Minnesota.
Enjoying the campgrounds at Maplewood by Claudia Mattingly
Partner with P&TC
on Projects & Events
There are some ways in which P&TC can support and work with Friends Groups on projects and events.
Obtain Liability Insurance
When hosting an event at a park or trail, sometimes the land management agency (i.e. DNR) may require that the friends group has liability insurance for the event. Parks & Trails Council offers the possibility to co-sponsor an event that meets certain criteria, therefore extending its liability insurance for the event. Fill out the application form to see if your event qualifies.
Utilize a Waiver
When a Friends Group organizes an event where participation may involve risk, it is important to collect a waiver from the participants. A waiver is usually required if P&TC is extending its liability insurance coverage for the event. This waiver template can be used to draft a specific waiver for the event, or P&TC can approve a waiver that your group may already have.
Acquire Land with P&TC
Sometimes Friends Groups support a park or trail with land acquisition. The land often may be a missing piece to to make a trail connection or is within a park’s statutory boundaries. Parks & Trails Council saves critical land through our land acquisition program, utilizing the Samuel H. Morgan Land Fund. If your Friends Group hears about a property of interest that is coming up for sale, let us know about it! P&TC may be able to partner with your group and a public land agency. Discover more about how we save land by checking out our Land Protection Page and perusing the Land Application.
Our members look out over the land we helped add to Anderson park
Work day at the land we acquired for Sibley State Park
Friends organize and volunteer for clean-up events.
Share Your Events
Spread the word about your group’s upcoming events by submitting event information. P&TC then posts the event on our upcoming park and trail events listing as well as on your group’s page.
Join P&TC Events
Each year, Parks & Trails Council hosts events where Friends Groups and members can get together to share what’s going on with parks and trails.
Day on the Hill
An advocacy day to learn about the P&TC legislative agenda supporting parks and trails and gain skills in working with your legislators.
Table discussions
Annual Dinner
A sit-down affair with parks and trails supporters from across the state that features a guest speaker, silent auction, and P&TC board announcements.
Photo booth
Strategies to Implement
Projects & Events
Projects and events take a lot of planning. Look at the strategies below for ideas on how to approach your group’s project or event.
Projects
There are endless possible projects that Friends Groups may take on. It is important to work with the land management agency to identify mutually-beneficial projects that support the Friends Group’s mission and the agency’s mission.
Project Ideas
- Add benches along a trail
- Install a rain garden
- Remove invasive species
- Construct a new picnic shelter
- Build a natural playground
- Plant native trees, forbs, grasses, and flowers
- Build and maintain hiking trails
- Make interpretive signage
Installing a feature on a natural playground.
Cutting wire in May were Charlie Hovde, at left, of Long Lost Lake and Candy Malm of Park Rapids.
Friends and GreenTouch volunteers cleaning up the park
Volunteers with the Sibley State Park Improvement Association clean up the land.
Friends assist in planting native plants in the park.
The Friends fund raised and constructed this Norwegian shelter along the trail.
photo by Becky Hartwig
photo by Becky Hartwig
Volunteer grooming trails at Zippel Bay State Park
The enthusiastic group of volunteers.
Volunteers install a playground.
Events
As with projects, there are also endless possible events that Friends Groups may take on. Events may happen in partnership with the land management agency and/or other partners, or Friends Groups may facilitate them alone.
Event Ideas
- Lead interpretive walks or talks
- Host a candlelight ski or hike
- Have a trash pickup event
- Organize a run or bike race
- Fund raise at a dinner or gala
- Curate musical performances
- Facilitate a grand opening event
Friends of Wild River State Park organize clean up events for the park
The annual Maple Leaf Days is a key event for the Friends.
Friends organize and volunteer for clean-up events.
Friends tend the bonfire for the candlelight ski event
The friends help to organize events throughout the year, like this prairie hike
DNR staff and members of the Friends of Big Bog at the grand opening of Big Bog State Recreation Area on June 4, 2006.
Friends of Wild River organize a pancake breakfast to raise funds for the park
Collaborate
We can do more together! It’s very important to maintain regular communication with the land management agency your group partners with. You can identify projects and events that would be mutually beneficial. Additionally, consider partnerships with community groups, local businesses, recreation clubs, etc. Each group has particular strengths and resources that can enable more impactful activities that you may not have the ability to do alone.
Collecting maple sap for the Maple Syrup programs.
Make a Budget
Creating a specific event or project budget is a great way to make sure you stick to a plan. Depending on the event or project, you may want to consider getting sponsors, obtaining match funding, etc. Events are also a great way to raise money too!
Friends of Wild River organize a pancake breakfast to raise funds for the park
Storytelling
Sharing your story before, during, and after a project or event helps your group build awareness and interest in your activities. Getting the word out can bolster event participation, increase membership, connect you with more people, and highlight the impact of your work. When planning a project or event, don’t forget about communicating your story. Also, take pictures!
Photo by Paul Sundberg