Author: Ashley Pethan

June 24, 2019

Youth Engagement Grant Awards – Round 1

Five volunteer-led friends groups will implement youth engagement projects at state parks and trails this year, with support from the Minnesota DNR and funds issued by Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota (P&TC). The projects include organizing field trips, hosting recreation opportunities, and developing hands-on ...
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kids looking over bog through binoculars
June 24, 2019

Friends of Minneopa State Park celebrate summer solstice

From Friends of Minneopa State Park Friends of Minneopa hosted an event with live music to celebrate the summer solstice. Read about this in a story on June 21 by KEYC Mankato: "Friends of Minneopa State Park celebrate summer solstice" Read full story
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June 12, 2019

Volunteers install deer exclosure at Zippel Bay State Park

From Friends of Zippel Bay State Park On Saturday June 8, a group of people gathered at Zippel Bay State Park to construct a deer exclosure—to protect young pine trees in approximately 6 acres of the park from being grazed on and killed by deer ...
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volunteers constructing a deer exclosure fence
June 10, 2019

June Summer Activities at Maplewood State Park

From Friends of Maplewood State Park __________ Michelle Yarmakov / P&TC photo contest Meditation at Maplewood Monday, June 17; 6:30pm-7:15pm “When we get closer to nature—be it untouched wilderness or a backyard tree—we do our overstressed brains a favor” reports National Geographic.  We live busy, ...
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June 6, 2019

Caramel Apple Ride on Lake Wobegon Trail (9/7)

From Lake Wobegon Trails Association Saturday, September 7, 2019  |  Sauk Centre, MN Spend the day riding the great Lake Wobegon Trail Country. Enjoy the fall colors and great apple refreshments at all the rest stops including caramel apples and other treats from local vendors. ...
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branded ride picture with a caramel apple
June 6, 2019

Rail Trails 100: Shuttle out, ride your bike back! (8/3)

From Lake Wobegon Trails Association Saturday, August 3, 2019  |  Fergus Falls, MN The Central Lakes and Lake Wobegon Trails offer some of the best trail riding in the state of Minnesota, and this is your chance to conquer both of them in one day! ...
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group of riders under the St. Joseph sign
May 30, 2019

Friends of Scandia to Implement Pollinator Projects this Summer

From Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails As summer begins, the Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails embarks on a number of projects to continue improving pollinator habitat, engage local community members, and advance support for parks and trails. Pollinator Planting Management The 1-acre native ...
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Two women take a quick break from clearing buckthorn
May 29, 2019

Bridge installed across Cannon River for the Mill Towns State Trail

From Friends of the Mill Towns State Trail A bridge was put into place on Friday, May 24 on the west side of Hwy 21 over the Cannon River for the Mill Towns State Trail. Once complete, the bridge and newly constructed section of trail ...
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crane installing a trail bridge over a river
May 22, 2019

[CANCELLED] Trail Family Fun Day on the Gateway-Brown’s Creek Trail on July 13

From Gateway-Brown's Creek Trail Association [CANCELLED] Saturday, July 13, 9 am to 12pm Get out on the trail for some summer fun, adventure, and a scavenger hunt! The Gateway-Brown’s Creek Trail Association is hosting a family fun day on Saturday, July 13. Guests will enjoy ...
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Gateway horses and bikers
May 22, 2019

Community Celebrates Annual Bike to Work Day in Jackson

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails On May 16th, 2019, Friends of the Jackson County Trails hosted the annual Bike to Work Day event at Ezekiel’s Wheel Bike Shop. Several folks stopped down and rode a new Bike Share System bike for the City ...
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Man on a bike-share bike in front of the market
May 22, 2019

3rd Annual Big Woods Photo Contest Launches

From Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Friends of Nerstrand has launched its 3rd annual photo contest. Winning photos will be published in a 2020 Calendar, to be used as a fundraiser by the Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. Proceeds will help ...
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waterfall
May 9, 2019

Support, volunteers welcome for Heartland Spur Trail project

From Heartland Itasca Spur Citizen Committee A member of the Heartland Itasca Spur Citizen Committee wrote a Letter to the Editor highlighting an overview of the spur trail development. Read this letter in The Park Rapids Enterprise May 4 edition: "Support, volunteers welcome for Heartland ...
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pedestrians on Heartland State Trail
May 6, 2019

Behind the scenes insights from Friends of Bertram

Friends of Bertram is an active group that organizes and supports a number of events and projects at Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park each year. We'll dive behind the scenes to better understand some of their strategies (and challenges) around membership, project coordination, and ...
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May 6, 2019

2019 Events with Friends of Bertram

From Friends of Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Check out some of the exciting events happening this year! The Friends of Bertram puts together some of their own events and also supports some other events put on at the park. Open House with Membership ...
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Kids sit along the rocks by the path
April 25, 2019

Engineering Study Slated for Heartland Trail Spur

Our Friends Group Partner, the Heartland Itasca Spur Citizen Committee, has been advocating for the development of a trail connecting the Heartland State Trail into Itasca State Park.Read about their progress in The Park Rapids Enterprise April 24 article:"Engineering study slated for Heartland Trail Spur"
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My husband and son on a bike trip. They started out in Itasca State Park, then biked on to the Mi-Gi-Zi, Heartland and Paul Bunyan trails and into Minneapolis.