News – Page 3 – Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota

Sen. Carrie Ruud

Senator who stands up for parks and trails

August 18, 2022

Webinar: Heritage Interpretation 101

Details Melissa Peterson, Interpretive Programs Manager for the Minnesota Historical Society, provides an overview of the theory surrounding heritage interpretation. More Webinar Recordings

August 17, 2022

Webinar: Park Rx

Details Hear from Sara Holger and Jay McLaren about their efforts to implement Park Rx programming at Whitewater State Park. More Webinar Recordings

July 28, 2022

DNR Update – Listening to Friends Groups and updating volunteer requirements

Arielle Courtney, DNR Parks & Trails Partnership Development Consultant, shares an update on the department’s plans for Friends group engagement and answers some frequently asked questions.

June 27, 2022

DNR Update – Flooding, volunteer requirements update, and a thank you

Arielle Courtney, DNR Parks & Trails Partnership Development Consultant, shares an update on the latest recission of the COVID-19 volunteer requirements and talks about what’s next for improving the volunteer experience.

May 25, 2022

Lawmakers stall on bonding bill, special session debated

The Minnesota Legislature adjourned on Monday, May 23rd without an agreement to pass a number of major supplemental finance bills, a tax bill, or a bonding bill. While House Speaker Melissa Hortman, Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, and Governor Tim Walz struck a deal the ...

May 24, 2022

Scavenger hunt adventures return to most Minnesota parks this summer

Let the scavenger hunting begin! Parks & Trails Council is bringing back the popular scavenger hunts to most Minnesota State Parks, plus four local parks this summer. These hunts are a great way for park-goers to hone their observation skills and learn to identify some of the diversity of species in the parks.

May 23, 2022

New trail at Sibley made possible with P&TC land

A long-awaited 3-mile, paved, multi-use trail has been completed at Sibley State Park. This scenic trail meanders through the prairie for a uniquely peaceful experience. Plus, its current endpoint— a tunnel under Hwy. 71—foreshadows an exciting next phase.

Person in pink jacket walking on paved trail

Minnesota bids farewell to lifelong environmental activist, Grant Merritt dies at 88

Grant Merritt served on Parks & Trails Council’s board of directors for 11 years, including as president from 2004-2006. His commitment to the organization remained steadfast as he continued to serve on P&TC committees through this year. Grant’s lifetime of hard work, innovation and results on behalf of the Great Outdoors earned him Parks & Trails Council’s prestigious Reuel Harmon Award in 2018.

May 5, 2022

NorthStar Trail Travelers Events Update

NorthStar Trail Travelers started the year off with a winter snowshoe event on Saturday, February 12, at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park by Northfield. It was a very cold day but 13 diehard souls showed up and enjoyed seeing the falls frozen over. In May, ...

snowshoers walk on the trail in the prairie

April 28, 2022

Digging in at three mountain bike trails

Research conducted last summer is shedding light on this situation through the use of detailed trail counts and visitor intercept surveys from three Minnesota destinations.

April 15, 2022

Updated Land Plan upholds our commitment to parks and trails

This year, we worked to uphold our commitment to this work by completing an update to our Land Acquisition Plan. This document lays out the principles that form the bedrock of this program, as well as the criteria we apply in evaluating potential projects.

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 ...