Glendalough State Park celebrated the grand opening of their new trail center and a trail extension past Sunset Lake on June 14th, 2025. The new trail center features bike rentals, restrooms, a meeting/education space that can accommodate 40 people, and parking with accessible stalls. The new meeting space in the trail center can be reserved for meetings and events year-round and is the location for interpretive programs for the park.
The Sunset Trail extension offers a paved trail to the park’s entrance and connects to the 12-mile Glendalough trail as well as the city of Battle Lake. The trail extension completes a 6-mile loop in the park, providing a safe, traffic-free biking and walking experience for visitors with scenic views of Sunset Lake and Glendalough’s restored prairies.
Steve Nelson, President of the Glendalough Citizens Advisory Board & Friends of Glendalough State Park and Shannon Lothammer, Assistant Commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Nelson spoke of the nine-year process it took to complete this project and credited the support of individuals and organizations along the way. He acknowledged Parks & Trails Council’s collaboration on this project, who offered strategic advice and lobbied on behalf of Glendalough State Park at the legislature.
“They’re (P&TC) critical to this type of project and they’re critical to this environment with their mission being to preserve this just like our mission is to preserve this beautiful area,” said Steve Nelson.
Shannon Lothammer praised the dedication of DNR colleagues on this project but noted that it was ultimately the effort of the community that made the improvements to Glendalough State Park possible. The Glendalough Park Partners raised $550,000 and volunteered countless hours of their time to help secure these additions to the park. She also highlighted the various sources of funding that supported this project, including support from the legislature—with Senator Rasmussen as a champion for this project— state bonding dollars, federal Recreation Trails Program Grant, general fund dollars, and the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment (Parks & Trails Legacy Fund).
Lothammer stated that approximately 114,000 people visited Glendalough State Park over the past year. She emphasized that investing in park amenities improves the experience for both visitors and local residents who cherish their state park. By strengthening our outdoor recreation system, she noted, we not only support the local economy by attracting out-of-state visitors but also enrich the quality of life for all Minnesotans.
“Outdoor recreation is really central to Minnesota’s identity,” Shannon Lothammer said. “It’s fundamental to our quality of life.”
The grand opening of Glendalough State Park’s new trail center and trail extension marks a significant milestone in community-driven investment in outdoor recreation. These enhancements to the park strengthen its connection to the community, demonstrating the power of a shared commitment to protecting natural places.