April 17, 2015
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Parks and trails budget taking shape at the capitol

This week, the environmental finance committees in both the House and Senate released budget bills that will fund Minnesota’s state parks and trails for the next two years. We are happy to report both recognize the importance of our state parks and trails and have …

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March 23, 2015

Eminent Domain Prohibition

Two separate efforts were made to introduce bills that would have prohibited the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund to be spent to acquire property by eminent domain or to acquire property that has previously been acquired by eminent domain.
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March 19, 2015

Peggy Prowe

Tenacious Trail Advocate

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March 9, 2015

Trail Fee Requirement

Would have required all adults to purchase a pass to bike or roller blade on a state trail in Minnesota. The bill proposed the rates of the pass at $4 per day or $20 per year.
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March 4, 2015

Require Approval to Add Parkland

This bill would have required that the DNR, prior to acquiring lands for a park or trail outside the seven-county metropolitan area, receive written approval of every city and organized township where the park or trail is located or through which it passes.
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March 1, 2015

Building a vision for trails

By Mike Tegeder, president
Among the indoor joys of winter is the Omnifest film series at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Last winter marked the 18th year of the event where five giant-screen movies are shown daily at the museum’s Imax Theater. One of the offerings was a film produced by the Science Museum itself, “The Greatest Places.” Seven geographic wonders from around the world are featured. It was great.
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March 1, 2015

Working together to make vital trail connections

By Mike Tegeder, president
Life is a circle. I find myself reliving some of my earliest memories but in new, unexpected ways. Growing up in the freeway-free 50’s I can recall day-long family car trips from Minneapolis to Stillwater. These were fun excursions but it was a tediously long drive. Now it takes less than an hour to drive there—at least when it’s not rush hour. But the memory of those earlier trips came back to me recently on another trip to Stillwater.
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February 26, 2015

Funding for Casey Jones State Trail

This bill would have appropriated $846,000 in bond proceeds for the continued development of the Casey Jones State Trail in southwestern Minnesota. Bill title: Casey Jones Trail funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated Bill Number: HF 641 & SF 581 House Authors: Schomacker; Hamilton; Swedzinski Senate …

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February 3, 2015
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2015 Annual Dinner

Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at Town & Country Club 300 Mississippi River Blvd N, St. Paul, MN 55104 5:30 PM  Social Hour with cash bar & Silent Auction & Raffle 6:30 PM  Dinner & Program

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January 9, 2015

2015 Winter Newsletter

Inside this issue: Bike MN plans Grant guide Peggy Prowe receives top honors DNR unveils System Plan and more Download Newsletter PDF
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December 16, 2014
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DNR announces park and trail grant opportunities

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces grant funding opportunities for park and trail projects across Minnesota. Applications are now being accepted for the following grant programs: outdoor recreation, regional trail, local trail connections and federal recreational trails. These grants help local governments throughout the …

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December 9, 2014

Friends build a trail connecting Glendalough State Park to nearby Battle Lake

The small, northwestern Minnesota city of Battle Lake is undergoing a transformation. It is quickly becoming a bustling community with an abundance of people zipping along on two wheels. The impetus for this change: the Glendalough Trail. The new, hard-earned trail starts in downtown Battle …

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bikers on trail through prairie with Glendalough Trail sign and Legacy sign
September 21, 2014

Making a vital trail connection while restoring a prairie

  So close, and yet so far. For years the 22-mile Glacial Lakes State Trail has been just five miles from the popular Sibley State Park. For bicyclists visiting the park, that’s five miles too many. In 2011 park supporters decided that connecting the Glacial …

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The rolling grasslands with pond at Sibley State Park
September 1, 2014

Preventing lost opportunities to save park and trail lands

By Mike Tegeder, president
Over the years Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota has had the joy and privilege of working with extraordinarily dedicated individuals. Mark and Joan Strobel definitely fall within this category of extraordinary. Their history with Parks & Trails Council is particularly motivating because it shows how committed individuals, who care deeply about parks and trails, can make a lasting difference. Over the years Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota has had the joy and privilege of working with extraordinarily dedicated individuals. Mark and Joan Strobel definitely fall within this category of extraordinary. Their history with Parks & Trails Council is particularly motivating because it shows how committed individuals, who care deeply about parks and trails, can make a lasting difference.
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July 27, 2014

New segment of Paul Bunyan Trail Complete

On July 27, a new 6-mile segment of the Paul Bunyan State Trail was opened to the public. This new segment extends the current trail south from the cities of Baxter and Brainerd into Crow Wing State Park. It is a scenic, meandering trail that …

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Group celebrating a ribbon cutting for the Paul Bunyan Trail