The Trust for Public Land has released their ParkServe analysis tool, a comprehensive standardized database of local parks in nearly 14,000 cities, towns and communities across the U.S. ParkServe uses available GIS information to conduct an analysis of the distance between population and parks, defined as a 10 minute walkable service area among other criteria.

This analysis is a great tool for a broad look at the potential need for additional park space in your community, or to compare your community with others. We recommend using this as an initial analysis to explore your system, but also developing your own criteria that meets local public values for a more in-depth GIS analysis.

Park Serve Analysis Tool LINK

Join us in celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the passage of the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment!
125 LIVE in Rochester, MN, will host a very special PARKS AND TRAILS LEGACY CELEBRATION! At this event we will have plenty of activities for all-ages and all-abilities, including a watershed model, outdoor adaptive equipment, lots of Legacy project information, and more!
Rock climbing, an ATV simulator, biking, and other activities guarantee fun for parks and trails enthusiasts of all abilities.
Each event will be filled with family-friendly activities aiming to engage and inspire people from across the community to get involved with their parks and trails, and to learn about the opportunities the Legacy Amendment offers.
During these events, staff from the ten Metropolitan Regional Parks System’s implementing agencies, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission will gather your ideas and perspectives on Legacy efforts thus far, and invite you to help shape priorities moving forward.
For more information and a list of all 2018 events across the state, visit the website.
www.legacy.leg.mn/ptlac/2018-regional-events

Lac qui Parle County has a gem of a County park that has been in development for decades, thanks to the work of the park's friends group. In 2015 the County applied for designation as a regionally significant park, receiving a "High" ranking by the Commission. Having no master plan in place, the County Board and Friends of the Park group started a long process of visioning and planning for the park's future development..

This week, the new Master Plan entered final public review before being finalized and adopted by the County Board! The next step after official adoption will be to submit the Plan to the Greater Minnesota Regional Development Commission through the online portal for final scoring evaluation by the ETeam, the District Planning Committee and the Commission. The Commission will use that evaluation to determine if the park merits designation as a regionally significant park.

Follow the park's progress on their Facebook page HERE.

You can also read the full plan HERE.

For any questions, contact Kristi Fernholz of the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission at kristi.fernholz@umvrdc.org
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Sunday's Legacy Celebration event in Marshall was the third of eight being held across the state. Find a future event near you at the Legacy Event website HERE.

From the Marshall Independent:
LEGACY EVENT CELEBRATES MINNESOTA'S PARKS AND TRAILS click here
The combination of fun and education was a major focus at Sunday's Parks and Trails Legacy Celebration, an anniversary event for Minnesota' Clean Water, Land and Legacy Fund. The Legacy Celebration in Marshall is one of several events being held in different parts of the state.

Event organizers hoped to connect people with the outdoors, while at the same time gathering public feedback on how Legacy funds should be used in the future, said Paul Purman, of the Minnesota DNR Parks and Trails Legacy Program.