2025 LEGISLATIVE REPORT
In 2025, the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission focused on improving access for all to Greater Minnesota parks and trails. We are happy to share that this included expanding the system by four new facilities. There are now 84 regionally designated parks, trails, special features and supportive partnerships across our 80 counties.
The GMRPTC is responsible for distributing the Greater Minnesota share of the Parks and Trails Legacy fund. This year, twelve facilities received FY2027 Legacy Development and Acquisition grants totaling $11,324,845! Review the full 2025 Policy and Planning Report as a Flipbook, a PDF on the website, or as a PDF File.
The Commission recognizes that the ability to access and enjoy natural and recreational spaces should be universal, regardless of age, ability, or background. To further this mission, the Commission has engaged the expertise of Bill Botten, a recently retired accessibility specialist at the US Access Board where he was part of a team that developed the new combined guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act. With Bill’s help, the Commission held a series of accessibility forums on a variety of topics and provided consultation for regional parks and trails. Parks and trails managers, designers and advocates were able to attend these free trainings, which are archived on the Commission’s website.
In addition to the forums, the Commission has created a new Access and Inclusion grant category, supporting the removal of physical barriers to facilities. This new fund complements our other non-development grant categories for Connect People and the Outdoors and Environmental/Archeological grants. These grants help to ensure that all agencies, regardless of size, are able to advance Legacy’s goals of access to the outdoors for all.
Other highlights for what was accomplished in 2025 include The Minnesota Parks Artists in Residence (MNPAiR) program that brought the community together through art, and update application funding application system that is based on geographic information system analysis, location based analytic data, and the start of the next phase of the continual process of keeping the strategic plan up-to-date and viable.
Review the funding applications in the following list by clicking on the project name. Additional information can be found by contacting the System Plan Coordinator – [email protected].
FY2027 Legacy Funding Recommendations
Applicant Award District
Duluth Traverse $1,318,978 1
Grand Marais Recreation Area $1,066,750 1
Mille Lacs County Soo Line Trail $600,000 1
Roseau River Water Trail $1,112,254 2
Detroit Mountain Recreation Area $821,700 3
Lac qui Parle County Park $368,202 3
Otter Tail County Phelps Mill Park $713,747 3
Willmar Robbins Island Regional Park $1,327,945 3
Chisago County Swedish Immigrant Trail $477,441 4
Lincoln County Hole in the Mountain Park $901,890 5
Olmsted County Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo $2,040,000 6
Rochester Gamehaven Park $577,938 6
Total $11,326,845
The GMRPTC is responsible for distributing the Greater Minnesota share of the Parks and Trails Legacy fund. This year, twelve facilities received FY2027 Legacy Development and Acquisition grants totaling $11,324,845! Review the full 2025 Policy and Planning Report as a Flipbook, a PDF on the website, or as a PDF File.
The Commission recognizes that the ability to access and enjoy natural and recreational spaces should be universal, regardless of age, ability, or background. To further this mission, the Commission has engaged the expertise of Bill Botten, a recently retired accessibility specialist at the US Access Board where he was part of a team that developed the new combined guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act. With Bill’s help, the Commission held a series of accessibility forums on a variety of topics and provided consultation for regional parks and trails. Parks and trails managers, designers and advocates were able to attend these free trainings, which are archived on the Commission’s website.
In addition to the forums, the Commission has created a new Access and Inclusion grant category, supporting the removal of physical barriers to facilities. This new fund complements our other non-development grant categories for Connect People and the Outdoors and Environmental/Archeological grants. These grants help to ensure that all agencies, regardless of size, are able to advance Legacy’s goals of access to the outdoors for all.
Other highlights for what was accomplished in 2025 include The Minnesota Parks Artists in Residence (MNPAiR) program that brought the community together through art, and update application funding application system that is based on geographic information system analysis, location based analytic data, and the start of the next phase of the continual process of keeping the strategic plan up-to-date and viable.
Review the funding applications in the following list by clicking on the project name. Additional information can be found by contacting the System Plan Coordinator – [email protected].
FY2027 Legacy Funding Recommendations
Applicant Award District
Duluth Traverse $1,318,978 1
Grand Marais Recreation Area $1,066,750 1
Mille Lacs County Soo Line Trail $600,000 1
Roseau River Water Trail $1,112,254 2
Detroit Mountain Recreation Area $821,700 3
Lac qui Parle County Park $368,202 3
Otter Tail County Phelps Mill Park $713,747 3
Willmar Robbins Island Regional Park $1,327,945 3
Chisago County Swedish Immigrant Trail $477,441 4
Lincoln County Hole in the Mountain Park $901,890 5
Olmsted County Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo $2,040,000 6
Rochester Gamehaven Park $577,938 6
Total $11,326,845
