GMRPTC News Release –
The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) recently announced the 14 parks and trails in Greater Minnesota that have achieved regional designation for 2016. The GMRPTC was formed in 2013 by the Minnesota Legislature to develop a statewide system of regionally significant parks and trails outside the seven county metropolitan area. Successful applicants for regional designation undergo a stringent review process to ensure the application meets the criteria and high standards set by the Commission. The procedure by which a park or trail is designated includes:
- Application for designation by a city or county in Greater Minnesota
- Review of the application by an independent Evaluation Team
- Review of the application by the Executive Director and a consultant team to further ensure all criteria and standards have been met
- Approval and designation by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission
“The Commission is pleased to add these 14 parks and trails into the Greater Minnesota System” stated Mike Hulett, Chair of the Commission. “Our designation process is thorough and very methodical; these facilities meet our criteria to provide a high quality recreational experience of lasting value to all Minnesotans.”
The newly designated parks and trails join 27 previously designated facilities throughout Greater Minnesota.