January 7, 2019

Whitewater State Park Turns 100 – Time to Celebrate!

From Friends of Whitewater State Park Mark your calendars—2019 is going to be a busy year at Whitewater. To celebrate the park's 100th birthday, Friends of Whitewater State Park is working with the DNR to organize and facilitate a series of events. Each month features ...
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January 7, 2019

Brews & BBQ for Blue Mounds

From Friends of Blue Mounds State Park Clear your calendars for January 12th. Friends of Blue Mounds is excited to announce a partnership with Take 16 for a full day of activities! Enjoy a BBQ lunch, bingo and brews before the candlelight hike, and then ...
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January 6, 2019

Winter Fun Day at Lake Maria on Jan. 19, 2019

From Friends of Lake Maria State Park This season's Winter Fun Day at Lake Maria will happen on Saturday, January 19, 2019. Some of the exciting activities happening that day are listed below. A winter camping demonstration, which includes a presentation on Wilderness First Aid ...
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The log cabin looks warm amidst the snow in the winter
December 27, 2018

Candlelight Ski Party at Frontenac State Park on Jan. 19

From Frontenac State Park Association - Everyone is invited to Frontenac State Park’s Candlelight Ski / Showshoe / Walk Party on Saturday, January 19th from 5 - 8 p.m. Come join in the annual candlelight event. Enjoy a hike, ski, or snowshoe on 2 different ...
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December 18, 2018

Meet the Lake Wobegon Trails Association

From Lake Wobegon Trails Association - In the early 1990s, the Albany Jaycees, a civic-minded organization, saw the abandoned railroad line running through their town and saw potential to transform it into a trail. Their vision turned into action as they embarked on a multi-year ...
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a few bikers cross a bridge
December 3, 2018

Let the DNR know that you oppose allowing ATVs in all state parks, including Hayes Lake State Park

On Nov. 26, 2018 the DNR announced a 30-day public comment period to provide feedback on their efforts to build an OHV campground near or within Hayes Lake State Park.

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Hayes Lake on sunny fall day
November 30, 2018

Friends of Chester Woods finds a unique way to raise money

From Friends of Chester Woods While the Friends of Chester Woods has a strong membership base, we struggle to grow that membership. The main reason we believe people are reluctant to become members is because park visitors must pay to enter the park. Because of this ...
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November 29, 2018

Friends prepare to install nature playground in Lake Bemidji State Park

From Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park has embarked on a long-term to build a new nature playground in the park. They did much of the work in three weekends, with the help of members of the friends group, boy ...
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A young girl rakes the soil
November 26, 2018

Trail connection groundbreaking & other updates about the Mill Towns Trail

From Friends of the Mill Towns State Trail Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 13, Paul Penansky, Director of Parks & Recreation in Faribault, led us in a ground breaking for the Cannon River bridge which will connect trail from 17th Street to White Sands trail head and ...
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Ten people dig their shovels into a pile of dirt for the ground breaking ceremony
November 26, 2018

Meet Jackson – Minnesota’s 23rd Bike Friendly Community

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails Throughout the past 20 years, Jackson has enhanced its bicycle culture and connected trail network, which continues to grow. As energy and commitment to the trail network grew in the 90s, the efforts were rewarded with the first ...
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City of Jackson population sign
November 26, 2018

Meet Friends of the Jackson County Trails

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails In 1998, Lynne Anderson, JoAnn Asa, and Wilma Pell got together and wondered why Jackson hasn't done as much with trails as other cities have. They formed the Friends of the Jackson County Trails, made up of a ...
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A family of bikers heads down the trail
November 20, 2018

A Busy Year: Lake Vermilion Trail Receives NPS-RTCA Partner Award

It’s been an eventful year for the Lake Vermilion Trail.  The Lake Vermilion Trail Joint Powers Board, the new entity that will develop, own and manage the planned 40 mile, paved trail in northern St. Louis County, MN, had its first meeting in February 2018.  This new Board is essentially a new local government with one purpose:  the Trail. 
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A man and woman receiving an award by NPS staff
November 20, 2018

Meet the Lake Vermilion Trail Work Group

More the 30 years ago, the conversation started among residents and the Lake Vermilion Resort Association about the possibility of building a paved, recreational trail to connect people to the beautiful scenery in the Lake Vermilion area.
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Two men standing behind tabling booth
November 19, 2018

Lake Maria Candlelight Hike on Feb. 2, 2019

From Friends of Lake Maria The trail by candlelight. Photo by Bev Johnson. This event began years ago as a Candlelight Ski event, but due to lack of snow, it's morphed into a hike. Watch the weather though—this year COULD be different! The event is ...
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Snowy Itasca State Park by Jelieta Walinski Ph.D
November 9, 2018

Celebrate the Mill Towns Trail Groundbreaking

The next phase of construction on the Mill Towns Trail will begin soon. Come join trail supporters on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 4pm to celebrate the groundbreaking. The event will be held at the White Sands Trailhead at 900 Lyndale Ave. N in Faribault.

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A kid peddles away on his bike