In this issue, learn about:
* The addition of the Freeborn County/Waseca County/City of Albert Lea's joint Songbird Trail to the Greater Minnesota Regional System.
* An open application availability for GMRPTC Executive Director

The Songbird Trail Joins the Greater Minnesota Regional System as its 86th Facility!

At the June 2026 meeting, the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission concluded its review of the Master Plan submitted by Freeborn County for the Songbird Trail. Due to the excellent vision for this paved multi-use trail and a strong partnership between Freeborn and Waseca Counties and the City of Albert Lea, the Commission is pleased to designate the Songbird Trail to the regional system.

From the Master Plan: "The Songbird Trail will connect multiple communities in Freeborn and Waseca Counties with a paved trail for walking and biking that stretches approximately 49.5 miles. The trail will someday connect to the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail in Waterville and will have immediate connection to the Blazing Star State Trail in Albert Lea. Thus, the Songbird Trail will one day bridge a gap between existing trail assets and serve as an amenity that will attract users from beyond our region."
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Congratulations to the communities who are partnering to make this brand-new trail a success! Construction on the first, non-Legacy funded segments of the trail is expected to begin soon. We look forward to the great experiences and connections this trail will provide!

Executive Director Position Open for Applications: Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission

The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) is pleased to announce that the position of Executive Director is open for applications. This leadership transition comes as current Executive Director Renee Mattson prepares for retirement in early 2027.

The Executive Director will oversee strategic planning, legislative engagement, program administration, and statewide coordination with local government partners and regional stakeholders. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of outdoor recreation in Greater Minnesota and support the stewardship of some of the state’s most treasured public spaces.

A full position description is attached. The Executive Director is expected to begin in January 2027 to ensure a smooth transition.

​Map the "Impact" of Legacy Funding in Greater Minnesota

In 2008, Minnesota voters made a bold choice to increase the sales and use tax by three-eighths of one percent.  The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the state constitution passed with 56% of the vote, at a time when the economy was struggling and adding another tax seemed an impossible goal.  However, Minnesotans have a proud history of doing what is good for nature, for water, for arts and culture and for outdoor recreation.

Greater Minnesota parks and trails have benefited from Legacy funding in ways big and small, in cities and counties where significant investments have been made that otherwise might not have happened but for the grant dollars available through Legacy.

The GMRPTC has a new interactive mapping tool that lets you explore the impact of Legacy in Greater Minnesota. This dynamic mapping system, which we call our Impact Map, geographically lays out all of the projects that have been funded by Legacy since the Commission started directing the funds in 2015. One map, one website. Over 154 projects and $110,000,000 in projects that have been completed or are underway and will soon be making their impact.

There is a tutorial on the IMPACT MAP home page that will show you just how deeply you can explore the system with this new tool.
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Here are some ways you can make use of the Impact Map:
* Exploring the location of Greater Minnesota Legacy parks and trails in your region or district
* Summarizing Legacy investment by facility, agency, district, and state
* Noting how local investments have matched and enhanced Legacy's impact
* Analyzing the distribution of different types or classes of facilities across the state
* Investigating projects in similar types of facilities for ideas to impact your own
* Finding inspiration by exploring links to facility websites and social media
* Seeing how Legacy parks and trails fit into their nearby system of regional and state parks, trails, features and other recreation amenities.

It’s safe to say that there is no other interactive tool like the Impact Map, not a one.  The GMRPTC is always seeking new and innovative ways to share the full story of how public dollars are changing lives, the Impact Map does that.