January 8, 2018

Friends of Scandia Activities in 2017

From Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails In 2017, Friends of Scandia implemented a number of initiatives, including educational programs, supporting Scandia Parks, and participating in events. See below for a quick review. Educational Programs Our activities for 2017 were focused on three educational programs. ...
Read More
group picture

Winter Fun Day at Lake Maria State Park

By Friends of Lake Maria MONTICELLO — Please join the Friends of Lake Maria for our annual Winter Fun Day at Lake Maria State Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday January 20, 2018. A number of indoor and outdoor events are planned, …

Read More
January 3, 2018

Plans focus on upgrading Camden residence

By Marshall Independent LYND — The Minnesota State Park System is working toward a plan that will re-purpose Jason Holm’s boyhood home. Plans are in place to convert the former park manager’s residence into a guesthouse. It will be available to families, youth groups, community …

Read More
Swimming area at Camden by Jon Wood
December 18, 2017

Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission announces Legacy Grant Recommendations for FY19

By The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission was established in 2013 to carry out system planning and provide recommendations to the legislature for grants funded by the Legacy Parks and Trails fund to counties and ...
Read More
sunset over lake
December 15, 2017

DNR solicits 2018 park and trail grant applications

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Division is accepting applications for the following grant programs: outdoor recreation, natural and scenic areas, regional trails, local trail connections and federal recreational trails. These grants help local governments throughout the state create partnerships with the …

Read More
December 15, 2017

DNR Volunteer Opportunities: Lighting candles and more

The Minnesota DNR is looking for volunteers for a variety of opportunities across the state including assisting with several candlelight ski/walk events at Fort Snelling, Frontenac, Lake Carlos and Gooseberry Falls State Parks. Other opportunities include assisting with conducting surveys to monitor spruce grouse populations. …

Read More
November 27, 2017

Retirement Open House/Coffee & Cake

Saturday, December 9, 2017 1 to 4:00 p.m. Nerstrand Big Woods Visitor Center It has been a privilege to serve the last 12 years as manager at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. As visitors you also play an important role in the stewardship of the …

Read More
Retiring park manager Elain Feikema
November 17, 2017

Give to the Max Day a Success

We want to send a big thank you to the roughly 180 people who donated to Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota on Give to the Max Day. We made our matching challenge of $16,000 and then people kept giving. By the end of the …

Read More
give to the max logo
October 30, 2017

Shooting Star State Trail Extended Three Miles

This fall, the Shooting Star State Trail got a little closer to its goal of connecting into the city of Austin. On September 15 a ribbon cutting was held for the 3-mile extension running north from the town of Rose Creek, along County Road 56. …

Read More
Group cutting ribbon on new segment of Shooting Star State Trail
October 29, 2017

Clean up the Park Day

Help prepare trails and park facilities for the winter season. Tools will be provided. Register by calling the park so we can plan the workload.
Read More
October 26, 2017

Halloween Howl at Lake Maria

family friendly spooky tales perfect for a chilly fall evening
Read More
Jack O'Lantern
October 23, 2017

New Taconite State Trail plan approved, our voices were heard

This past July, the Minnesota DNR approved a new master plan for the Taconite State Trail. It was a plan we anxiously anticipated because of the implications it could have on introducing off-highway vehicles (OHVs) such as ATVs, into state parks. We are happy to …

Read More
Cover of the Taconite State Trail Master Plan
October 23, 2017

2017 Fall Newsletter

View PDF of newsletter

Read More
cover of 2017 fall newsletter
October 17, 2017

Friends pull together to keep park going

“I get by with a little help from my friends.” If a park could sing, Lake Louise State Park would be singing this tune. This park has just one employee who makes a regular appearance in the park (other staff are shared with the nearby …

Read More
people signing up for a raffle
September 25, 2017

FAQs on our Frontenac Project

The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions related to Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota’s (P&TC) 2017 Land Project for Frontenac State Park Who owns this land now? On June 26, 2020, Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota (P&TC) officially conveyed the land …

Read More
From atop bluff on land acquired