GMRPTC January 2026 Newsletter

Welcome to a new year and new edition of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission newsletter! This month we will cover:
* The upcoming mandatory 2026 Grant Award meeting,
* Currently available Greater Minnesota Legacy grant opportunities,
* And the new 2025 Policy and Planning Report!

Registration Deadline Approaches for January 29th Grant Award Meeting!

Is your facility a designated or eligible for designation part of the Greater Minnesota regional system? Did you receive a Greater Minnesota Legacy grant award in 2025 for Fiscal year 2027? If so, sign up to attend this year’s January Grant Award meeting from 11AM – 3PM on Thursday, January 29th at the St. Cloud Holiday Inn & Suites.

All 2025 grant recipients are required to attend as a part of their award. Other regional facilities are encouraged to attend, as the information will be helpful as you prepare for future grant applications. Pre-registration is required at this link:

REGISTER HERE BY JANUARY 26th

This year’s meeting will feature a panel discussion with three of our past grantees. Using their experiences as case studies, attendees will have real-world examples to learn how the environmental, archeological, and accessible contract requirements are implemented. In addition to previous awardees, our partners with the DNR and SHPO will be on hand to explain their process and answer questions.

Any questions, please contact System Plan Coordinator Joe Czapiewski at [email protected] or 218-556-3651.

Meeting Registration

Greater Minnesota Grant Opportunities - RIGHT NOW!

Did you know that the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission has multiple grant opportunities, including ones you can tap into right now?

Most parks and trails managers are familiar with the GMRPTC’s Legacy Development and Acquisition grants and Connect People and the Outdoors grants, which fund the majority of the program’s projects. However, there are two additional grant opportunities available year-round that might make a difference for your facility.

1. Environmental/Archeological Grants include EAW or Phase I EIS projects, archeological studies, or other work related to pre-project development. These environmental/archeological review projects are intended to prepare agencies for applications for Legacy Development and Acquisition grants.
2. Access and Inclusion Grants are designed to improve accessibility and inclusivity for the widest ranges of users of all abilities and ages. Inclusion provides equal access to recreation opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized. Access grants help to remove physical barriers to gain access to a facility through universal access design and correcting barriers in existing buildings.

Both programs have no set deadline for applications, which will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. See the Funding Application Guidelines in the Application Toolbox for more information on each program, including funding amounts, match requirements, and more.

2025 Policy and Planning Report Now Available in Flipbook and Print Formats!

The GMRPTC has released the 2025 Policy and Planning Report just prior to the start of the 2026 legislative session. The report includes a review of the Legacy grant recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2027 funding cycle, the criteria and selection process used, an overview of Greater Minnesota’s regional system development, and milestone achievements for the calendar year.

The report can be found on the Commission’s website under Reports, or AT THIS LINK. If you have any questions, please contact Commission staff. Printed copies are also available from the Commission by request.

The Commission "is created to undertake system planning and provide recommendations to the legislature for grants funded by the parks and trails fund to counties, cities and Tribal governments outside of the seven-county metropolitan area for parks and trails of regional significance"