State Park Friends

October 2, 2019

Energizing the park with innovative ideas and community programs

Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park More often than not, cutting-edge ideas come from those outside the rank-and-file of an organization. This is part of the reason friends groups are such an asset for parks and trails. They bring a wealth of perspectives and energy ...
Read More
woman stands behind pile of volleyball sand
September 23, 2019

The Maple Leaf – Fall 2019 Newsletter

From Friends of Maplewood State Park In This Issue Leaf Days Events Recap Project Updates Membership Drive Ranger Report Photo: Alison Christensen / P&TC photo contest Click to download. Go to friends' main page
Read More
September 20, 2019

Annual Big Woods Gathering on Sep. 22

From Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Join Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park for their Annual Big Woods Gathering on Sunday, September 22, 2019. 5:00 PM: Talk by Al Batt, writer, speaker, storyteller and humorist Al Batt, of Hartland, MN writes humor ...
Read More
September 20, 2019

Fall 2019 Newsletter – Friends of Wild River

From Friends of Wild River State Park In This Issue Annual Otter Trotter 5k River Cleanup Candlelight Night Almelund Apple Festival Return of Seegwan Staff Updates Photo: Courtesy of Friends of Wild River State Park Click to view Go to friends' main page
Read More
September 11, 2019

Find Wild Mushrooms at Lake Maria on Sep. 15

From Friends of Lake Maria State Park Wild mushrooms will be the focus of a program at Lake Maria State Park on Sunday, September 15, beginning at 1 p.m. at the park’s nature center. Ron Spinosa, noted mushroom expert and member of the Minnesota mycological ...
Read More
August 29, 2019

Meet the Friends of Camden State Park

Friends of Camden State Park playground project The Friends of Camden State Park became active in 2000 in order to add playground equipment at Camden State Park. The group raised about $24,000 to build a new playground. Many fundraisers were held including a night hike, ...
Read More
Friends set up a tent and food
August 13, 2019

Fly tying and fishing at Maplewood State Park

Maplewood’s first fly fishing class was presented by fly fishing enthusiast and Friends of Maplewood member, Scott Stenshoel. The program introduced participants to the “art” of fly fishing , along with instruction of the “art” of “home-made” fly-tying. Each participant geared up with fly rods ...
Read More
Colorful handmade flies
August 2, 2019

Youthful Stewardship and Other News at Glendalough State Park

From the Glendalough Park Partners summer 2019 newsletter: During the past few years, Walk for Glendalough participants have witnessed the enthusiasm and involvement from a growing number of young people. In fact, a few area students have become annual award recipients for pledges they have ...
Read More
walk awardees post for a group photo with their prizes
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.
Read More
volunteers planting trees
July 18, 2019

Itasca State Park to dedicate new amphitheater

From Minnesota DNR The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Friends of Itasca will host a dedication event on Saturday, July 27, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for the new Lake Itasca Amphitheater at Itasca State Park. The dedication will take place at the ...
Read More
June 24, 2019

Youth Engagement Grant Awards – Round 1

Five volunteer-led friends groups will implement youth engagement projects at state parks and trails this year, with support from the Minnesota DNR and funds issued by Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota (P&TC). The projects include organizing field trips, hosting recreation opportunities, and developing hands-on ...
Read More
kids looking over bog through binoculars
June 24, 2019

Friends of Minneopa State Park celebrate summer solstice

From Friends of Minneopa State Park Friends of Minneopa hosted an event with live music to celebrate the summer solstice. Read about this in a story on June 21 by KEYC Mankato: "Friends of Minneopa State Park celebrate summer solstice" Read full story
Read More
June 12, 2019

Volunteers install deer exclosure at Zippel Bay State Park

From Friends of Zippel Bay State Park On Saturday June 8, a group of people gathered at Zippel Bay State Park to construct a deer exclosure—to protect young pine trees in approximately 6 acres of the park from being grazed on and killed by deer ...
Read More
volunteers constructing a deer exclosure fence
June 10, 2019

June Summer Activities at Maplewood State Park

From Friends of Maplewood State Park __________ Michelle Yarmakov / P&TC photo contest Meditation at Maplewood Monday, June 17; 6:30pm-7:15pm “When we get closer to nature—be it untouched wilderness or a backyard tree—we do our overstressed brains a favor” reports National Geographic.  We live busy, ...
Read More
May 22, 2019

3rd Annual Big Woods Photo Contest Launches

From Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Friends of Nerstrand has launched its 3rd annual photo contest. Winning photos will be published in a 2020 Calendar, to be used as a fundraiser by the Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. Proceeds will help ...
Read More
waterfall