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In this issue, learn about: * Registration for this month's Accessibility Forum. * A new form to request a grant extension. * Details on the Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails fall meeting.  Register for the September 22 Forum on Providing Essential Accessibility Information for Visitors with Disabilities The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission invites you to join this year's third Accessibility Forum. Accessibility consultant Jennifer Skulski will present on the information park and trail managers can provide that will help create a better experience for people with disabilities. Title: Planning Your Visit: Providing Essential Accessibility Information for Visitors with Disabilities Date: September 22nd, 2026 Time: 11:30AM - 1:00PM Full description and registration link below. A successful park visit often begins long before a visitor arrives. People with disabilities need accurate, practical information to determine whether they can navigate a site, participate in a program, request an accommodation, and plan for their individual access needs. In this webinar, ADA consultant Jennifer Skulski will explain how park and recreation agencies can provide clear, useful accessibility information through websites, visitor guides, maps, signage, and frontline staff. Participants will explore the types of information visitors may need about physical access, arrival sites, restrooms, trails, auxiliary aids and services, mobility devices, service animals, and accommodation requests. Jennifer will also distinguish a required ADA public notice from a welcoming accessibility statement and offer practical strategies for communicating both compliance information and an authentic commitment to inclusion. Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
 Request for Grant Extension For Greater Minnesota Legacy grants scheduled to conclude on June 30, 2027, a new notification process has been developed to request a project extension. Because an extension to a Legacy grant requires legislative approval, and because we receive numerous requests each year, a form has been developed and is required for all extension requests. Please use the following link to access the form: grant_extension_request_form.pdf. Complete the form and return it no later than October 2, 2026. GMRPTC has successfully secured legislative approval for extension requests each year and we will continue to strongly advocate for extensions on behalf of our facilities. Please be aware, however, that legislative action cannot be guaranteed. We understand that sometimes project delays are unavoidable and will work to ensure there is adequate time to complete a project.  Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails Fall Meeting Join Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails (GMPT) on Wednesday, October 21 as part of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Annual (MRPA) Conference in Duluth. The meeting will kick off at 10:45am with our annual business meeting. Following the business meeting there will be a luncheon networking session. After lunch we’ll hear from GMPT lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel who will discuss grant funding and other 2027 Legislative priorities. MRPA has been generous in offering GMPT members the opportunity to attend MRPA afternoon sessions at no additional charge. The GMPT meeting cost is $38 and includes lunch and materials. 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"
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Questions? Contact [email protected]
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