Lisa Filter – Page 7 – Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota

May 18, 2020

Status of 2020 Legislative Priority – Investing in metropolitan regional parks and trails

One of our priorities during the 2020 Legislature is to supports the Metropolitan Council’s request for state bonding funds, which are partially matched by the Metropolitan Council, to improve and expand the Metropolitan Regional Parks System.. Legislative Process Status FormatDateAmountDocMetropolitan CouncilRequestJanuary 2020$15 millionPDFGov. Tim WalzRecommendationJanuary ...

May 18, 2020

Status of 2020 Legislative Priority – Infrastructure

Fix critical infrastructure in state parks and trails One of our priorities during the 2020 Legislature is to address the backlog of maintenance for state parks and trails buildings and other assets, such as shower buildings, trail bridges, water systems, etc. The agency’s assessment shows ...

May 6, 2020

Time to urge legislators to support parks and trails

Now that the four Minnesota House and Senate caucus leaders have agreed to a midnight, Saturday, May 9 deadline for bills, we are expecting a flurry of activity as lawmakers race to complete a long list of priorities, including the omnibus bonding and tax bills. Of particular interest will be whether or not the Democrat-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate can reconcile significant partisan differences to pass these bills.

April 7, 2020

Legislative efforts focused on COVID-19, but bonding bill could still happen later in session

The 2020 legislative session isn’t turning out the way any of us expected. COVID-19 has altered all aspects of daily life in Minnesota (and around the world), and that includes Parks & Trails Council’s advocacy efforts at the state capitol. As you know, this is a rapidly changing situation and many people across our state agencies, legislature, and governor’s office are working hard to respond to this unprecedented emergency.

March 31, 2020

State Park campgrounds closed until May 1

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) announced that ALL campgrounds in state parks, recreation areas and forests will be closed until May 1, 2020. Parks & Trails Council fully supports this decision, which is important to protect our state's health, even as it may deliver a blow to Minnesota State Parks and Trails' budget.

March 24, 2020

DNR invites public comment on timber harvests at Father Hennepin State Park

Open house at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park has been postponed The Department of Natural Resources is amending the management plan for Father Hennepin State Park, located on the southeast shore of Mille Lacs Lake. The amendment will allow timber harvest activities that are planned ...

March 23, 2020

We’re adjusting, but staying committed to protecting parks and trails

A letter from our executive director Our commitment to Minnesota's parks and trails has never been stronger Ten days ago the Parks & Trails Council office was bustling with the activity of a statewide nonprofit working on multiple fronts. Lisa was making arrangements for our ...

A stunning sunrise from the breathtaking vista of Frontenac State Park overlooking beautiful Lake Pepin

February 27, 2020

Status of 2020 Legislative Priority – Local and Regional Grants

One of our priorities during the 2020 Legislature supporting an appropriation of $4 million to fund the grant programs established under Minnesota Stat. 85.019. These grants have provided critical funds for acquiring, developing, and enhancing parks and trails within city or regional systems. FormatDateAmountDocMn DNRRequestJanuary ...

February 26, 2020

Steve Thorne

Adept advocate for parks and trails

October 11, 2019

Getting youth outdoors by partnering with Friends Groups

School is back in session. And for some lucky students this fall, their classroom happened to be a park or trail for a day.

Fifth-graders explore the woods at Lake Maria

August 14, 2019

Willard Munger State Trail improvement projects temporarily close two bridges

The MnDNR has temporarily closed two trail bridges on the Willard Munger State Trail starting July 29, as crews work to improve the bridge surface. The bridges will re-open after Sept. 30. The two closures are located at:

July 25, 2019

Working with Friends to improve landscapes at seven state parks

Trees, trees, trees! Earlier this spring, volunteers, young and old, could be found with shovels in hand at seven state parks—Blue Mounds, Lake Bemidji, Minneopa, Sibley, Tettegouche, and Whitewater—where they were planting and protecting trees (and shrubs) in key areas of the landscape.