Friends Groups

July 23, 2018

Music Fills the Air at Maplewood State Park

Community members flocked to Maplewood State Park to attend two music concerts
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a crowd in the picnic shelter enjoys the music
July 13, 2018

Parks & Trails Council conveys 154-acre property to Sibley State Park

A multi-year effort to add key land to Sibley State Park was finalized on June 20 as Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota sold the 154-acre property to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
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The rolling grasslands with pond at Sibley State Park
July 5, 2018

DNR and city seek public input on Gitchi-Gami trail development

The MnDNR will host an open house on July 12 to discuss and get feedback on the Gitchi-Gami State Trail's newest planned segment from Grand Marais-to-Cutface.
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bicyclists on Gitchi Gami with Lake Superior in back
June 27, 2018

Volunteers install 400 tree cages at Itasca State Park

Itasca is well-known for its old-growth trees. But growing the next generation has been a challenge as deer have been eating and destroying the young trees. In 2009, park staff planted a 65-acre region known as the Bear Paw Restoration.
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Four volunteers in woods with fencing
June 18, 2018

Friends respond to emerald ash borer by planting maples at Maplewood State Park

In a project coordinated by the Friends of Maplewood State Park and DNR staff, 15 sugar maple trees have been planted in the park. The newly planted trees, which are between six to ten feet tall, are a proactive response to the threat posed by the invasive insect known as emerald ash borer (EAB)
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Tree Planting at Maplewood State Park
June 11, 2018

BSA Scouts Join Friends of Wild River to Protect Young Oak Trees

On National Get Outdoors Day, youth with a troop of Boy Scouts of America put on their sunscreen and bug spray and “got outdoors” at Wild River State Park. They joined the Friends of Wild River and a DNR naturalist to tackle a conservation project …

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June 8, 2018

$750,000 Trail Center Bonding Approved – Glendalough State Park

The Glendalough Citizens Advisory Board was recently informed that Governor Mark Dayton signed the 2018 bonding bill which includes $750,000 for pre-design, design and construction for a new trail and visitor facility in Glendalough State Park. The bonding will augment more than $200,000 of private …

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June 5, 2018

Frontenac to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day on June 9

From Frontenac State Park Association — Volunteers from Frontenac State Park Association are partnering with park staff to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day on Saturday, June 9 from 1 – 3 pm. The park will offer guided nature walks, information about the park’s bluebird nesting …

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woman resting on bench
June 3, 2018

Photos from the June 2 planting party

On June 2, volunteers from the Frontenac State Park Association along with park staff, planted several oak trees and native forbes in the park. The event was funded in part by a grant from Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota.
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Oak savanna restoration project tree planting on June 2, 2018
May 31, 2018

Nineteen projects receive funding during 2018 legislative session

Overall, the 2018 legislative session was a fairly good one for parks and trails. On May 30, Gov. Dayton signed the bonding bill, which included funding for 19 of the 25 projects we were advocating for in our legislative agenda this year. Projects receiving full …

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screenshot of webpage with 2018 investment projects

Glendalough: center & trailhead

Project Overview: A new park visitor center and trail center at Glendalough State Park.
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Sketch of proposed Glendalough Trailhead
May 29, 2018

Planting Party Set for June 2nd

On Saturday, June 2, Frontenac State Park Association is hosting a volunteer planting party as part of an oak savanna restoration in the park. Anyone with a willingness to dig in the dirt and get a little sweaty is welcome to volunteer between 9am – …

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Oak savanna restoration project tree planting on June 2, 2018
May 18, 2018

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park being enhanced with two volunteer projects this summer

Volunteers from the Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods are rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty as they partner with park staff on two exciting projects this summer. The first project is a habitat restoration project on half an acre near the main ...
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May 7, 2018

Decades later, Mt. Tom still provides fantastic views

From MNDNR Sibley State Park icon remains jewel in Kandiyohi County Rising above the treetops at Sibley State Park is an icon of Kandiyohi County –Mt. Tom and its viewing shelter. The shelter, constructed in 1938, became a destination for people who visited one of …

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May 4, 2018

Leaf Mountain Foot Race at Glacial Lakes State Park on 9/22/18

This first annual "Barkley" style marathon at Glacial Lakes State Park was inspired by the exciting and rigorous Barkley 100-mile Marathon in Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee. While that particular marathon has inspired books and Netflix documentaries, the Leaf Mountain Foot race will take ...
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