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 ...
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Ten people dig their shovels into a pile of dirt for the ground breaking ceremony
November 26, 2018

Meet Jackson – Minnesota’s 23rd Bike Friendly Community

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails Throughout the past 20 years, Jackson has enhanced its bicycle culture and connected trail network, which continues to grow. As energy and commitment to the trail network grew in the 90s, the efforts were rewarded with the first ...
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City of Jackson population sign
November 26, 2018

Meet Friends of the Jackson County Trails

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails In 1998, Lynne Anderson, JoAnn Asa, and Wilma Pell got together and wondered why Jackson hasn't done as much with trails as other cities have. They formed the Friends of the Jackson County Trails, made up of a ...
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A family of bikers heads down the trail
November 20, 2018

A Busy Year: Lake Vermilion Trail Receives NPS-RTCA Partner Award

It’s been an eventful year for the Lake Vermilion Trail.  The Lake Vermilion Trail Joint Powers Board, the new entity that will develop, own and manage the planned 40 mile, paved trail in northern St. Louis County, MN, had its first meeting in February 2018.  This new Board is essentially a new local government with one purpose:  the Trail. 
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A man and woman receiving an award by NPS staff
November 20, 2018

Meet the Lake Vermilion Trail Work Group

More the 30 years ago, the conversation started among residents and the Lake Vermilion Resort Association about the possibility of building a paved, recreational trail to connect people to the beautiful scenery in the Lake Vermilion area.
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Two men standing behind tabling booth
November 19, 2018

Lake Maria Candlelight Hike on Feb. 2, 2019

From Friends of Lake Maria The trail by candlelight. Photo by Bev Johnson. This event began years ago as a Candlelight Ski event, but due to lack of snow, it's morphed into a hike. Watch the weather though—this year COULD be different! The event is ...
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Snowy Itasca State Park by Jelieta Walinski Ph.D
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.

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A kid peddles away on his bike
November 5, 2018

#OptOutside with Friends of Lake Maria

Celebrate the day after a caloric Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, with a healthy and free walk in the park. All Minnesota state parks will waive the $7 daily entrance fee on Friday, November 23, 2018.
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October 25, 2018

Volunteers Complete Oak Savanna Habitat Restoration Project at Frontenac State Park

The Frontenac State Park Association has finished their project that intends to restore habitat in sections of the park with oak savanna. On a misty morning in October, volunteers planted the final nine trees.
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Oak savanna restoration project tree planting on June 2, 2018
October 19, 2018

Another Successful Otter Trotter 5k at Wild River State Park

The Friends of Wild River State Park held its 7th Annual Otter Trotter 5K on Saturday, October 13, thanks to the help of volunteers and park staff.
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October 11, 2018

Special Places Newsletter – Fall 2018

Inside this issue: Final piece of trail acquired for Great River Ridge State Trail Land transferred to Sibley State Park Tiny, mighty native bees 600 miles inventoried on state trails Remembering Tom Dwight Year-round camper cabins Friends of Tettegouche State Park

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Fall 2018 newsletter cover
October 11, 2018

Meet the Friends of Tettegouche State Park

Build a new visitor center and they will come... or so it worked for Tettegouche State Park, whose new center opened in summer 2014. So many came and so many new programming opportunities arose that some of the regular volunteers in the park started to wonder if the park could use a formal Friends Group.
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October 3, 2018

Color Me Fall Event at Bertram Chain of Lakes Park

A fun, fall event took place last weekend at Bertram Chain of Lakes Park with family-friendly activities like hay rides, fall crafts, archery, s'more-making, and more!
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September 30, 2018

Oak savanna restoration

Frontenac State Park Association planted trees and native prairie forbs to help restore oak savanna.

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Oak savanna restoration project tree planting on June 2, 2018
September 30, 2018

Installing tree cages around young oaks

Friends of Wild River State Park installed tree cages around young, naturally growing oak trees to protect them from deer browse.

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two kids carry the tree cage across the prairie