All News
Lake 21 now fully encompassed within Sibley State Park
Lake 21 is serene, wilderness-like place whose fate is now secured to remain that way. On October 5, Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota (P&TC) sold land to the MnDNR that brings the entire shoreline of this lake under the management of Sibley State Park.
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Meet the Friends of Blue Mounds State Park
When Blue Mounds State Park’s lost its swimming lake to a flood in June 2014, there was robust debate about whether to rebuild the dam that created the lake. The ultimate decision to not rebuild led to the formation of a citizen advisory group in 2017. Their goal: plan the park’s new future.
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P&TC secures critical shoreland for Charles A. Lindbergh State Park
Notched into a prime area for Charles A. Lindbergh State Park is a property that has been part of the Smuda family story for three generations, starting in the early 1900s. It occupies a critical place at the mouth of Pike Creek–a major water feature ...
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Youth Field Trips
Details Hear from four different friends groups about their experiences with coordinating youth field trips at parks and trails. More Webinar Recordings
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Nature Play Areas
Details Learn about Nature Play Areas from Stacy Smith with DNR Parks and Trails. Hear from Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park about their experience, helping to plan, design, and construct a nature play area at their park. More Webinar Recordings
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Shoreline restoration project planned for Mississippi Headwaters in Itasca State Park
The work will restore the original river channel width and stabilize the streambank at the headwaters site. The project is designed to minimize closure time to accommodate park visitors. Work will begin early October after the peak tourism season. Access to the site will be restricted for a five-day period.
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Special Places Newsletter – Summer 2020
E.D. Letter | Board member reflection | Frontenac State Park Project | Legislative Session Recap | Outdoors news briefs | In memory of a park manager | Photo Contest & Scavenger Hunts | Gateway-Brown's Creek Trail
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Stalled bonding bills leaves key projects unlikely this year
The Minnesota Legislature wrapped up their second special session on July 21 without passing a much anticipated public construction package, which would have funded numerous park and trail projects. Now, all hope rests on a third special session, which Gov. Walz will likely call in August to extend his peacetime emergency powers.
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Volunteers persist in improving the trail they built
The Gateway State Trail exists thanks to the vision and persistence of a small group of residents, who in 1980, rallied to convert a recently abandoned stretch of the Soo Line railroad into a non-motorized trail.
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Master Naturalists
Details Learn about the Master Naturalists program from the Statewide Program Director, Amy Rager. Hear from two friends groups about how they are already collaborating with Master Naturalist volunteers. More Webinar Recordings
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Campground improvements greet campers at Temperance River State Park
From MnDNR A new energy efficient shower building has opened in the upper campground at Temperance River State Park on Minnesota’s North Shore. The 1,500 square-foot building, which serves the park’s 57 campsites, incorporates solar-thermal water heating, LED lighting and low-flow water fixtures to maximize …
NSTT: Safely holding a walking event during a pandemic
From NorthStar Trail Travelers So how does a club safely hold a walking event during this pandemic? North Star Trail Travelers (NSTT), a Minnesota club emphasizing walks in Minnesota state parks, held two events on July 18 and 19. Forestville/Mystery Cave and Lake Louise State ...
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Major land project completed for Frontenac State park
Frontenac State Park is known for awe-inspiring blufftop views of Lake Pepin. And a recent addition of 159 acres at the southwest border brings another magnificent blufftop view to the park.
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DNR announces changes to camping and lodging reservation window
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is shortening its window for making reservations for camping and lodging to 120 days, or four months. Previously, customers could reserve campsites, cabins, yurts, tipis, and lodging facilities up to one year in advance. The change will take effect on July 1, 2020.
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DNR Guest Post from Oliver Liu: North Shore Update
Amidst Arielle Courtney's parental leave, we'll hear from some DNR staff across Minnesota to hear their perspectives. Oliver Liu is the Area 2C Specialist, working on paved trails and water trails out of Two Harbors. Read his story for an update on what's happening on ...
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