December 21, 2020

New cabins to open at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park

From MnDNR Reservations open Dec. 28; first lodging begins Dec. 31 The new camper cabins at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, in northeastern Minnesota, are ready for visitors! Campers can begin making reservations at 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28 for stays beginning on Dec. …

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Two cabins nestled between trees and plants
December 5, 2020

BCH-MN Annual Newsletter – December 2020

From Back Country Horsemen of Minnesota In This Issue Presidents report Calendar of events Volunteer hours reports Chapter reports Project updates Click image to download Go to friends' main page
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Newsletter header includes Back Country Horsemen logo and horse silhouettes
December 4, 2020

November 2020 Newsletter – Jackson County Trails

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails In This Issue Jackson Active Living Plan Update JCC Schools Safe Routes to School COVID-19 Active Living and Trail Response Photo courtesy of Friends of the Jackson County Trails Click image to download. Go to friends' main page
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An older couple ambles down the paved bike trail
November 19, 2020

Friends of Oxbow – Fall 2020 Newsletter

From Friends of Oxbow In This Issue President's Note Zoodazzle Cancelled Raffle Tickets & Calendars Membership Renewal Scavenger Hunt Winners Exhibit Updates Ski & Snowshoe Rentals Photo by: Ashley Pethan/P&TC Click image to view Go to friends' main page
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snowy creek with animal tracks on bank
November 5, 2020

Special Places Newsletter – Fall 2020

From the E.D | Outdoors news briefs | Land Protection for Sibley State Park | Legislative Session Recap | Research bike in St. Cloud | Photo Contest & Scavenger Hunts Recap | Swedish Immigrant Trail opens | Blue Mounds State Park
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Cover of newsletter
October 29, 2020

Portion of Lake Vermilion State Park opens to OHVs

All-terrain vehicle (ATV) advocates have been pushing to open up state parks to ATVs for years, and in 2020 their focus was on Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park in northeast Minnesota.
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Entrance sign to park
October 29, 2020

Fundraise & Recruit Members, A Case Study

Details Hear from Glendalough Park Partners about a project they implemented—an expanded mailing to celebrate the 100th issue of their newsletter and to invite folks to become a member of their friends group. More Webinar Recordings
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October 29, 2020

Bonding bill passes, key parks and trails projects funded

Minnesota's Legislative Session was unprecedented, which is to say, it fit perfectly into the year 2020. For most of the year, the much anticipated bonding bill was stalled. It didn't get passed in regular session (Feb - May), nor in the June, July, August, or September special sessions. Then, finally, in October, during the fifth special session, the House and Senate passed a massive, $1.9 billion bonding bill, which was signed by Gov. Walz on Oct. 22. The bill funds a wide variety of items from roads, affordable housing, and college buildings to parks and trails projects.
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Minnesota State Capitol
October 27, 2020

Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee seeks applicants

From MnDNR The coordinating partners of the Parks and Trails Legacy Plan, which include the Metropolitan Council, the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, are seeking applicants to serve on the Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee. The committee champions the 25-year …

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Legacy Amendment Logo
October 22, 2020

Mill Towns: Trail development

Add one new trail mile near Dundas and renovate three miles of trail along the Cannon River between Northfield and Dundas.
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boy biycling along trail
October 22, 2020

Heartland: Itasca Connection

Extend the Itasca State Park multi-use trail system about two miles from the park’s contact station though a tunnel under Hwy 71.
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Aerial shot of bikers on trail
October 22, 2020

Goodhue Pioneer: Trail acquisition and development to close gap

Trail acquisition and development connecting Zumbrota and Goodhue to Red Wing and the Cannon Valley Trail.
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October 22, 2020

Gateway: New segment

Build a 3-mile segment from William O’Brien State Park to the Scandia Village Center, including a tunnel under County Road 52
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Bicyclists riding at underpass
October 22, 2020

Blazing Star: Bridge

Extends the Blazing Star State Trail 2.4 miles by connecting two existing trail sections with a 100-foot single span pedestrian bridge crossing Albert Lea Lake.
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picturesque paved bike trail
October 14, 2020

Trail building update: Swedish Immigrant Trail connects into Interstate State Park

On a perfect fall day on October 10, a small group of people gathered for a ribbon-cutting for the newest half-mile segment of the Swedish Immigrant Trail. This extension is small in length, but big in impact as it connects into Interstate State Park with giant maple trees and dramatic ravines.
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Two women with three children all on bicycles