Friends Groups

January 6, 2019

Winter Fun Day at Lake Maria on Jan. 19, 2019

From Friends of Lake Maria State Park This season's Winter Fun Day at Lake Maria will happen on Saturday, January 19, 2019. Some of the exciting activities happening that day are listed below. A winter camping demonstration, which includes a presentation on Wilderness First Aid ...
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The log cabin looks warm amidst the snow in the winter
December 27, 2018

Candlelight Ski Party at Frontenac State Park on Jan. 19

From Frontenac State Park Association - Everyone is invited to Frontenac State Park’s Candlelight Ski / Showshoe / Walk Party on Saturday, January 19th from 5 - 8 p.m. Come join in the annual candlelight event. Enjoy a hike, ski, or snowshoe on 2 different ...
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December 18, 2018

Meet the Lake Wobegon Trails Association

From Lake Wobegon Trails Association - In the early 1990s, the Albany Jaycees, a civic-minded organization, saw the abandoned railroad line running through their town and saw potential to transform it into a trail. Their vision turned into action as they embarked on a multi-year ...
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a few bikers cross a bridge
December 3, 2018

Friends of Indian Heights Park

Parks & Trails Council is proud to partner with this independent friends group.Parks & Trails Council cannot accept donations on behalf of this friends group. Friends of Indian Heights Park Mission Provide stewardship, advocacy, and education to actively preserve, restore, and respect the endangered environment ...
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boy scout troop at habitat restoration event
December 3, 2018

Friends of Rice Lake State Park

Parks & Trails Council is proud to partner with this independent friends group.Parks & Trails Council cannot accept donations on behalf of this friends group. Friends of Rice Lake State Park Mission To support and promote the natural resources in and around Rice Lake State ...
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November 30, 2018

Friends of Chester Woods finds a unique way to raise money

From Friends of Chester Woods While the Friends of Chester Woods has a strong membership base, we struggle to grow that membership. The main reason we believe people are reluctant to become members is because park visitors must pay to enter the park. Because of this ...
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November 29, 2018

Friends prepare to install nature playground in Lake Bemidji State Park

From Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park has embarked on a long-term to build a new nature playground in the park. They did much of the work in three weekends, with the help of members of the friends group, boy ...
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A young girl rakes the soil
November 27, 2018

Friends of Lake Shetek State Park

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota is proud to act as the fiscal sponsor for Friends of Lake Shetek State Park.As a fiscal sponsor, we partner to advance their cause and provide the tools and building blocks to run a nonprofit, including receiving, holding and ...
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Causeway connecting to the island within the lake
November 26, 2018

Trail connection groundbreaking & other updates about the Mill Towns Trail

From Friends of the Mill Towns State Trail Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 13, Paul Penansky, Director of Parks & Recreation in Faribault, led us in a ground breaking for the Cannon River bridge which will connect trail from 17th Street to White Sands trail head and ...
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Ten people dig their shovels into a pile of dirt for the ground breaking ceremony
November 26, 2018

Meet Jackson – Minnesota’s 23rd Bike Friendly Community

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails Throughout the past 20 years, Jackson has enhanced its bicycle culture and connected trail network, which continues to grow. As energy and commitment to the trail network grew in the 90s, the efforts were rewarded with the first ...
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City of Jackson population sign
November 26, 2018

Meet Friends of the Jackson County Trails

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails In 1998, Lynne Anderson, JoAnn Asa, and Wilma Pell got together and wondered why Jackson hasn't done as much with trails as other cities have. They formed the Friends of the Jackson County Trails, made up of a ...
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A family of bikers heads down the trail
November 26, 2018

Friends of Lashbrook Park

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota is proud to act as the fiscal sponsor for Friends of Lashbrook Park.As a fiscal sponsor, we partner to advance their cause and provide the tools and building blocks to run a nonprofit, including receiving, holding and administering funds ...
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November 21, 2018

Friends of the Jackson County Trails

Parks & Trails Council is proud to partner with this independent friends group.Parks & Trails Council cannot accept donations on behalf of this friends group. Friends of the Jackson County Trails Mission To develop a trail system throughout Jackson County to bring families, friends, and ...
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An older couple ambles down the paved bike trail
November 20, 2018

A Busy Year: Lake Vermilion Trail Receives NPS-RTCA Partner Award

It’s been an eventful year for the Lake Vermilion Trail.  The Lake Vermilion Trail Joint Powers Board, the new entity that will develop, own and manage the planned 40 mile, paved trail in northern St. Louis County, MN, had its first meeting in February 2018.  This new Board is essentially a new local government with one purpose:  the Trail. 
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A man and woman receiving an award by NPS staff
November 20, 2018

Meet the Lake Vermilion Trail Work Group

More the 30 years ago, the conversation started among residents and the Lake Vermilion Resort Association about the possibility of building a paved, recreational trail to connect people to the beautiful scenery in the Lake Vermilion area.
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Two men standing behind tabling booth