May 30, 2018

Lake Vermilion: park development

For development including the Lake Lodge Visitor Center, the campground, renewable energy facilities, and reconstruction of the mine shaft.

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Campers settling in at new campground at Lake Vermilion
May 30, 2018

Gateway State Trail: Tunnel Crossing

Improve user safety by constructing a tunnel for the trail to cross under Hadley Ave, which is challenging to cross because the street exceeds 8,000 vehicles per day.

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Bicyclists riding at underpass
May 29, 2018

Planting Party Set for June 2nd

On Saturday, June 2, Frontenac State Park Association is hosting a volunteer planting party as part of an oak savanna restoration in the park. Anyone with a willingness to dig in the dirt and get a little sweaty is welcome to volunteer between 9am – …

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Oak savanna restoration project tree planting on June 2, 2018
May 23, 2018

ATVs in state parks

Allows the operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Hayes Lake State Park Campground, and directs the commissioner of natural resources to provide ATV access routes to said campgrounds.

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Woman pointing to "No ATVs Permitted" sign along Taconite State Trail
May 18, 2018

Legislative Briefing for May 14-18

Last week we issued yet another call-to-action for our supporters to tell lawmakers that all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) don’t belong in Minnesota State Parks. Your voices were heard! On Monday of this week, the conference committee tasked with reconciling the Omnibus Supplemental Budget Bill (HF 4099 / SF 3656) decided against a controversial provision that would have allowed ATVs to use the campground and access routes at Hayes Lake State Park.

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MN Capitol dome
May 18, 2018

Op-Ed in Duluth News Tribune: Speak up on bill to open state parks to ATVs

On May 15 the Duluth News Tribune published an opinion written by Steve Thorne who is is a former deputy commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and a past president of the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota. We fully concur with Thorne’s …

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May 18, 2018

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park being enhanced with two volunteer projects this summer

Volunteers from the Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods are rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty as they partner with park staff on two exciting projects this summer. The first project is a habitat restoration project on half an acre near the main ...
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May 11, 2018

Legislative Briefing for May 7-11

With just over a week left until adjournment, lawmakers are racing to complete a long list of legislative priorities, including a tax bill, a bonding bill, a supplemental budget, and numerous policy changes. A number of key pieces of legislation affecting parks and trails continue …

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May 9, 2018

Lawmakers need to approve urgent funding for DNR facilities

From MnDNR By Tom Landwehr Let’s imagine if you didn’t do routine maintenance on your house. The furnace tune up you missed turns into a broken heating system. The damp spot in your basement becomes a moldy, unhealthy mess. The small leak in your roof …

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May 8, 2018

DNR’s big vision: a weekend full of accessible outdoor adventures

From MnDNR Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr has a big vision for capital investment this year: to create a whole weekend of accessible infrastructure at one of Minnesota’s most visited state’s parks. The target of his ambition is William O’Brien State Park, located …

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William O'Brien State Park. Debbie Kippen/P&TC Photo Contest
May 7, 2018

Decades later, Mt. Tom still provides fantastic views

From MNDNR Sibley State Park icon remains jewel in Kandiyohi County Rising above the treetops at Sibley State Park is an icon of Kandiyohi County –Mt. Tom and its viewing shelter. The shelter, constructed in 1938, became a destination for people who visited one of …

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May 4, 2018

Leaf Mountain Foot Race at Glacial Lakes State Park on 9/22/18

This first annual "Barkley" style marathon at Glacial Lakes State Park was inspired by the exciting and rigorous Barkley 100-mile Marathon in Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee. While that particular marathon has inspired books and Netflix documentaries, the Leaf Mountain Foot race will take ...
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May 4, 2018

P&TC awards $5,000 grants to Friends Groups for restoration projects in state parks

Five volunteer-led Friends Groups have each received a $5,000 grant from Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota to spearhead habitat restoration projects within state parks. Parks & Trails Council worked with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to identify potential projects and overlap them with …

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April 24, 2018

Parks and Trails Legacy Amendment Celebration at St. John’s University

From Parks & Trails Legacy Advisory Committee Join in celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the passage of the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment at this free event for central Minnesota! Spread the word and bring your friends and family! The College of Saint Benedict …

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Legacy Logo
April 23, 2018

Legislative Briefing

The 2018 legislative session continues to creep towards its conclusion. Last week marked the third and final committee deadline, and all the major policy and finance committees have now released, amended and passed their omnibus bills. Those bills now have only one or two more stops …

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Minnesota State Capitol