Author: Lisa Filter
Special Places Newsletter – Summer 2019
In this issue:
Research: State of the Trails Report
Land Protection: Temperance River State Park
Public Policy: Session recap
Community: Partnering on habitat projects
Memoriam: Martin Kellogg
Commnuity: Lake Wobegon Trail Association
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Restoring land by cabins at Sibley
The Sibley State Park Improvement Association teamed up with students from a local charter school to remove invasive vegetation near park camper cabins. Then they planted native trees and shrubs to improve habitat and provide shade and privacy screening.
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Hayes Lake State Park saved from an OHV campground
After a lengthy public-input and planning process that was designed to weigh the best location for an off-highway vehicle (OHV) campground in Northwestern Minnesota, the MnDNR is recommending the best location as Beltrami Island State Forest rather than Hayes Lake State Park.
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2019 Legislative Session Recap
The 2019 Legislative Session wrapped up with Gov. Tim Walz signing the omnibus budget bills into law on May 31. Despite some unsettling moments in the midst of session, when the Senate proposed drastic General Fund cuts, a compromise was eventually reached and it ended ...
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Legislators’ attempt to open State Parks to off-highway vehicles kept at bay in 2019
During the 2019 Legislative Session, a handful of legislators* tried to advance a bill (HF 48/SF 1568) that would mandate a pilot project at Hayes Lake and Lake Vermilion State Parks to allow all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to use the campground and access routes within these state parks.
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Sibley State Park celebrates centennial
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Full slate of activities scheduled for June 8 Everyone’s invited to celebrate Sibley State Park’s centennial year on Saturday, June 8, with entertainment and family-friendly activities all day. The park is located near the west-central city of New …
2019 Day on the Hill Recap
We had a great day as supporters from all around the state gathered for our annual Day on the Hill event on March 27. Minnesota State Parks and Trails budget is a primary concern for this year's legislative session. Additionally, we continue to advocate that ...
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Lake Vermilion: park development
This project is included in Parks & Trails Council's 2019 Legislative Agenda. 2019 Legislative SummaryBill Funding AmountStatus$9.5 millionFully funds P&TC's recommendation, but is designated for the development of an OHV campground, which we oppose. 2019 Funding Source Sought General Obligation Bonds 2019 Bills Introduced HF ...
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Regional and Local Grants
This project is included in Parks & Trails Council's 2019 Legislative Agenda. 2019 Legislative SummaryCurrent Bill Funding AmountStatus$1 million$2 million short of P&TC’s recommendation 2019 Funding Source Sought General Obligation Bonds 2019 Bills Introduced HF 654: Local recreation grants funding provided, and money appropriated. SF ...
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Metro Projects: capital improvements
This project is included in Parks & Trails Council's 2019 Legislative Agenda. 2019 Legislative SummaryCurrent Bill Funding AmountStatus$10 millionFully funding P&TC recommendation 2019 Funding Source Sought General Obligation Bonds 2019 Bills Introduced HF 2163: Metropolitan Council regional park and open-space land acquisition and improvement funding ...
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State Parks: accessibility enhancements
This project is included in Parks & Trails Council's 2019 Legislative Agenda. 2019 Legislative Summary2019 Amount Requested2019 Amount Funded$19.5 millionTBD 2019 Funding Source Sought General Obligation Bonds 2019 Bills Introduced None yet. Final Language in Law Final language will be added here if passed. Proposed ...
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Preston-Forestville: trail extension
This project is included in Parks & Trails Council's 2019 Legislative Agenda. 2019 Legislative SummaryCurrent bill funding amountStatus$5 millionFully funding P&TC's recommendation. 2019 Funding Source Sought General Obligation Bonds 2019 Bills Introduced HF 952: Root River State Trail funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated. ...
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Mississippi Blufflands: trail plan
Trail development and planning for the proposed Mississippi Blufflands State Trail.
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Mill Towns: trail development
Develop one mile of new trail near Dundas and rehabilitating three miles of trail between Dundas and Northfield, Minn. Half the funding for this project was secured in 2018.
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Heartland: trail spur
For predesign and engineering of a 25-mile spur of the Heartland State Trail that will connect Itasca State Park to Park Rapids.
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