Keep parks and trails well cared for & open to all
We encourage increasing the funding to Minnesota State Parks and Trails.
Minnesota has a projected $17.6 billion surplus on top of billions in federal aid. Meanwhile, funding for Minnesota’s State Parks and Trails has not kept up with a growing system and increased demand. Investing a small portion of this surplus into Minnesota State Parks and Trails and building that increase into the general fund base would make a big difference. It would ensure that these valuable natural places remain well cared for and open to all now and in the future.
We encourage using the $17.6 billion surplus rather than increasing state park entrance fees.
Minnesotans should have parks and trails that are accessible with amenities they can use and afford. Increasing entrance fees 80-100% in only a six-year span (as is being proposed) will hit working families, the unemployed and low-income Minnesotans the hardest. Rather than increase entrance fees again, we urge lawmakers to use the $17.6 billion surplus to increase General Fund support to state parks by $3 million annually so the DNR has time to explore tier-based fee options, partnership programs and other alternatives that keep parks affordable.
We encourage lawmakers to support truly transformative Legacy Fund investments.
The Legacy Amendment’s Parks and Trails Fund should be allocated equitably between the needs of the State, Metropolitan, and Greater Minnesota systems. Historically, these funds have been split 40%-40%-20% between these park and trail systems. We support that allocation until representatives from the three systems can reach a new consensus agreement.
