2024 LEGISLATIVE REPORT
This past year of 2024 we made further progress to create and enhance regionally designated parks and trails. Three additional facilities were designated in 2024, including a new classification of Supportive Partnership. The Greater Minnesota system now includes a total of 80 regionally designated parks, trails, supportive partnership, and special feature facilities across our eighty counties.
In keeping with our "nimble" approach to working with our designated facilities, we have adjusted the timing of our Environmental and Archeological Review Grant. This makes the grant opportunities open and available all year, not jest during a predetermined time frame. An Emerging Opportunities grant has been established to help drive grant requests to Connect People with the Outdoors. This allows facilities to offer recreational equipment on free days throughout the year. We will also be implementing an Inclusive Access Grant in 2025 to help exceed the requirements of ADA to bring even more people to discover and partake in the benefits of being outdoors. This grant will also be available year round. Our location based analytics was improved with a new partnership with Placer.ai. This platform can assist with with park information as well as origination information of the park visitors.
We are excited to announce the new Minnesota Parks Artist in Residence (MNPAiR) program. This is a unique collaboration which will allow artists to help facilities explore community and belonging themes in their areas by creating custom works. The artists will research and engage with the parks and its stakeholders as part of the creative process.
The Commission was able to fund, in whole or in part, 14 projects for a total of $13,492,038.00 for the FY26 Legacy Funding Grants! Additionally, $1,914,033 was funded for FY25 Emerging Opportunities. The total amount for the 2025 fiscal year is $15,406,071.00. Review the full 2024 Policy and Planning Report as a Flipbook or as a PDF File.
In addition to helping create and maintain recreation resources, Parks and Trails Legacy grants contribute to the state’s economy through job creation and visitor spending. It is also important to recognize the public health value outdoor recreation brings to a community.
Review the funding applications in the following list by clicking on the project name. Additional information be found by contacting the System Plan Coordinator – [email protected].
FY26 Legacy Funding Recommendations
Applicant Award District
Cloquet Pine Valley Recreation Area $1,307,783 1
Proctor Hermantown Munger Trail Spur $950,000 1
Mesabi Trail $400,000 1
Gull Lake Trail $2,528,591 2
Frazee Wannigan Park $917,177 3
Willmar Robbins Island Park $1,304,568 3
Sherburne County Two Inlets at Bdé Heḣáka - Omashkooz
Zaaga’igaans Regional Park $526,880 4
Chisago County Swedish Immigrant Trail $2,414,549 4
Morrison County Soo Line Trail $986,957 4
Great Northern Trail $683,240 4
Wright County Stanley Eddy Park Reserve $292,850 4
Lyon County Garvin Park $517,167 5
Rochester Quarry Hill Park & Nature Center $477,276 6
Olmsted County Chester Woods Park $185,000 6
Total $13,492,038
FY25 Emerging Opportunity Grant Awards - Immediate Start Date
Applicant Award District
Duluth Spirit Mountain Recreation Area $531,590 1
Gull Lake Trail $24,232 2
Cannon Valley Trail $1,358,211 6
Total $1,914,033
In keeping with our "nimble" approach to working with our designated facilities, we have adjusted the timing of our Environmental and Archeological Review Grant. This makes the grant opportunities open and available all year, not jest during a predetermined time frame. An Emerging Opportunities grant has been established to help drive grant requests to Connect People with the Outdoors. This allows facilities to offer recreational equipment on free days throughout the year. We will also be implementing an Inclusive Access Grant in 2025 to help exceed the requirements of ADA to bring even more people to discover and partake in the benefits of being outdoors. This grant will also be available year round. Our location based analytics was improved with a new partnership with Placer.ai. This platform can assist with with park information as well as origination information of the park visitors.
We are excited to announce the new Minnesota Parks Artist in Residence (MNPAiR) program. This is a unique collaboration which will allow artists to help facilities explore community and belonging themes in their areas by creating custom works. The artists will research and engage with the parks and its stakeholders as part of the creative process.
The Commission was able to fund, in whole or in part, 14 projects for a total of $13,492,038.00 for the FY26 Legacy Funding Grants! Additionally, $1,914,033 was funded for FY25 Emerging Opportunities. The total amount for the 2025 fiscal year is $15,406,071.00. Review the full 2024 Policy and Planning Report as a Flipbook or as a PDF File.
In addition to helping create and maintain recreation resources, Parks and Trails Legacy grants contribute to the state’s economy through job creation and visitor spending. It is also important to recognize the public health value outdoor recreation brings to a community.
Review the funding applications in the following list by clicking on the project name. Additional information be found by contacting the System Plan Coordinator – [email protected].
FY26 Legacy Funding Recommendations
Applicant Award District
Cloquet Pine Valley Recreation Area $1,307,783 1
Proctor Hermantown Munger Trail Spur $950,000 1
Mesabi Trail $400,000 1
Gull Lake Trail $2,528,591 2
Frazee Wannigan Park $917,177 3
Willmar Robbins Island Park $1,304,568 3
Sherburne County Two Inlets at Bdé Heḣáka - Omashkooz
Zaaga’igaans Regional Park $526,880 4
Chisago County Swedish Immigrant Trail $2,414,549 4
Morrison County Soo Line Trail $986,957 4
Great Northern Trail $683,240 4
Wright County Stanley Eddy Park Reserve $292,850 4
Lyon County Garvin Park $517,167 5
Rochester Quarry Hill Park & Nature Center $477,276 6
Olmsted County Chester Woods Park $185,000 6
Total $13,492,038
FY25 Emerging Opportunity Grant Awards - Immediate Start Date
Applicant Award District
Duluth Spirit Mountain Recreation Area $531,590 1
Gull Lake Trail $24,232 2
Cannon Valley Trail $1,358,211 6
Total $1,914,033