Author: Lisa Filter
Building a vision for trails
Among the indoor joys of winter is the Omnifest film series at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Last winter marked the 18th year of the event where five giant-screen movies are shown daily at the museum’s Imax Theater. One of the offerings was a film produced by the Science Museum itself, “The Greatest Places.” Seven geographic wonders from around the world are featured. It was great.
Working together to make vital trail connections
Life is a circle. I find myself reliving some of my earliest memories but in new, unexpected ways. Growing up in the freeway-free 50’s I can recall day-long family car trips from Minneapolis to Stillwater. These were fun excursions but it was a tediously long drive. Now it takes less than an hour to drive there—at least when it’s not rush hour. But the memory of those earlier trips came back to me recently on another trip to Stillwater.
Funding for Casey Jones State Trail
This bill would have appropriated $846,000 in bond proceeds for the continued development of the Casey Jones State Trail in southwestern Minnesota. Bill title: Casey Jones Trail funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated Bill Number: HF 641 & SF 581 House Authors: Schomacker; Hamilton; Swedzinski Senate …
2015 Winter Newsletter
DNR announces park and trail grant opportunities
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces grant funding opportunities for park and trail projects across Minnesota. Applications are now being accepted for the following grant programs: outdoor recreation, regional trail, local trail connections and federal recreational trails. These grants help local governments throughout the …
Friends build a trail connecting Glendalough State Park to nearby Battle Lake
The small, northwestern Minnesota city of Battle Lake is undergoing a transformation. It is quickly becoming a bustling community with an abundance of people zipping along on two wheels. The impetus for this change: the Glendalough Trail. The new, hard-earned trail starts in downtown Battle …
Making a vital trail connection while restoring a prairie
So close, and yet so far. For years the 22-mile Glacial Lakes State Trail has been just five miles from the popular Sibley State Park. For bicyclists visiting the park, that’s five miles too many. In 2011 park supporters decided that connecting the Glacial …
Preventing lost opportunities to save park and trail lands
Over the years Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota has had the joy and privilege of working with extraordinarily dedicated individuals. Mark and Joan Strobel definitely fall within this category of extraordinary. Their history with Parks & Trails Council is particularly motivating because it shows how committed individuals, who care deeply about parks and trails, can make a lasting difference. Over the years Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota has had the joy and privilege of working with extraordinarily dedicated individuals. Mark and Joan Strobel definitely fall within this category of extraordinary. Their history with Parks & Trails Council is particularly motivating because it shows how committed individuals, who care deeply about parks and trails, can make a lasting difference.
New segment of Paul Bunyan Trail Complete
On July 27, a new 6-mile segment of the Paul Bunyan State Trail was opened to the public. This new segment extends the current trail south from the cities of Baxter and Brainerd into Crow Wing State Park. It is a scenic, meandering trail that …
Our park continues to grow
Looking ahead to the seventh generation
A teaching of the Great Law of Peace of the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy) mandates that chiefs consider the impact of their decisions on the seventh generation yet to come. As the Parks & Trails Council gratefully celebrates 60 years of “acquiring, protecting and enhancing critical land for the public’s use and benefit,” this principle can guide us in our essential work. As we rightfully have much to celebrate, it is also good to look ahead 60 years and beyond to the seventh generation.
Parks & Trails Council is turning 60
There can always be a bright side. This winter’s cold weather has limited my cross-country skiing a bit but it has freed up some reading time. Most recently I have enjoyed reading “Stillwater,” a novel by Mankato-based writer Nicole Helget. I was intrigued by the book’s dedication:
Parks are hands-on classrooms
In August, with other Parks & Trails Council members, I attended the rededication ceremony for the visitor center at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. The last time I visited this park was in the mid 1980s, shortly after the state purchased the cave from a private landowner who could no longer afford the maintenance.
Persistence in fulfilling the vision for a trail in southwestern Minnesota
