Author: Lisa Filter

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 …

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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 …

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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. …

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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.
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October 26, 2017

Halloween Howl at Lake Maria

family friendly spooky tales perfect for a chilly fall evening
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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 …

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

2017 Fall Newsletter

View PDF of newsletter

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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 …

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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 …

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From atop bluff on land acquired
September 13, 2017

Maplewood State Park Sugar Shack Dedication

It's time to say thank you to all who contributed time and money to the project.
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Maplewood State Park Sugar Shack nearly complete
August 2, 2017

Applications open for $8.6 million in Legacy grants

From MnDNR Groups that want to restore, protect or enhance public land can apply for Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) grants that help pay for work on Minnesota prairies, forests, wetlands or other habitat for fish and wildlife. Nonprofit organizations and government entities are eligible to …

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August 1, 2017

Long-time group gaining new momentum

Most likely Frontenac State Park wouldn’t exist had it not been for this Association. The group was formed by influential local citizens who rallied around the idea that a state park would be a boon to the local economy.
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Members of Frontenac State Park Association tour land P&TC acquired for the park
July 26, 2017

Adding a new view to Frontenac?

At the border of Frontenac State Park, near it’s entrance, lays 158.82 acres of land that holds outstanding natural beauty and a view to behold. Earlier this year the owner put the land up for sale, thus presenting a small window of opportunity to protect …

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View through trees of Lake Pepin
July 15, 2017

Making Minnesota’s trails count, one person at a time

In 2015, Parks & Trails Council initiated a program to collect data on how many people use Minnesota State Trails. That study was just the start, however, and we’re excited to announce we are expanding the program in 2017 with the addition of automated trail …

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trail counting box on trail
July 12, 2017

Supporter & Board Member Spotlight: Dorothy Anderson

Our members’ stories are essential to our story. The deep connection we all have with the places preserved as parks and trails provide inspiration to continue to advocate for these special places. Here is board member Dr. Dorothy Anderson’s story. As the eldest of 11 …

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Dorothy Anderson