Community-Led Trail Projects

Three cyclists ride along a winding, paved path through a lush, green park. Like an elementor crafting a masterpiece, they wear helmets and bright clothing as they pedal past trees and bushes under a cloudy sky.

Partnering to advance park and trail projects in the 2026 bonding bill

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota advocates at the state capitol for robust investments in parks and trails, as well as policies to protect these natural places while ensuring equitable access. Each year, we invite our Friends Group Partners to share their park or trail investment priorities with us so we can work together to advance them as part of the 2026 bonding bill.

2026 Projects

Casey Jones State Trail

Breathing new life into a historic Minnesota trail.

This project will rehabilitate two areas: the Pipestone trailhead and a 3-5 mile trail segment east of it, and complete the 2.7-mile Currie Loop (Phase III).

 

Gateway State Trail

Reviving the West Side: safer, smoother, and accessible for everyone.

This project will rehab seven miles of severely deteriorated trail from St. Paul to Oakdale by repairing safety hazards and restoring safe, accessible conditions for thousands of daily users.

Glacial Lakes State Trail

Connecting the trail to Sibley State Park through scenic rolling prairie.

This project will ensure completion of a multi-year effort to connect the Glacial Lakes State Trail from the city of New London to Sibley State Park.

 

Itasca-Heartland Connection Trail

Connecting Itasca to the Heartland State Trail through scenic forest

This project will complete phase 2 of the scenic trail. This phase completes the trail segment from Itasca State Park to a trailhead in Emmaville—the biggest small town in the world.

Minnesota River State Trail

The time is now—Mankato to St. Peter extension.

This project will complete a nine-mile trail alongside Hwy. 22, leveraging current construction to deliver a safe, cost-effective transportation and multi-use recreation connection between Mankato and St. Peter.

  • $5.7 million
  • ~9 miles of new trail
  • Partner: Greater Mankato Bike and Walk Advocates a chapter of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota 
  • Management: MNDNR

Root River State Trail

Uniting trail towns across the Driftless region’s bluffs and valleys.

This project will complete preliminary engineering, environmental review, and public engagement for the final 18 miles between Houston, Hokah, and La Crescent.

 

Shooting Star State Trail

Connecting a cross-border bicycling experience between Minnesota & Iowa

This project will build a small but critical spur trail to connect two established trails in Minnesota and Iowa for a destination experience.

Willard Munger State Trail

Restoring a critical trail connection for safety & economic health.

This project will rehabilitate a critical section of trail between Finlayson and Hinckley, which has been degraded over time.