The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) has released its 2022 Policy and Planning Report. The report, due to the Legislative Legacy Committees by January 15 each year, includes a review of the Legacy grant recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2024 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 Commission received 17 eligible funding applications and recommend $11,398,765 in awards to 14 applicants.

​The year was very productive including (3) three additional mountain bike trail system usage surveys, (7) seven campground visitor satisfaction and occupancy surveys, the completion of the Mountain Bike Trail Development Guidelines, (7) seven new designated facilities, and a special grant cycle for track wheel chairs.
 
The full report is available for download here.

The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC), in conjunction with the Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC) has released campground use studies for (7) seven regionally significant parks in southern Minnesota. 
 
The studies are part of an ongoing effort of the GMRPTC to make the best decisions based on the best recreational data.  As outdoor recreation continues to grow, the importance of having the most current information regarding the recreational desires of the people becomes critical.
 
In the reports, you will find detailed information regarding camper recreational experiences, characteristics, demographics, and their economic impact. 
 
We would like thank our partners at the SRDC, especially the report authors Rosemary Bruce-White and Jessica Welu; as well as Justin Schroyer. 
 
If you have questions or comments, please contact us:
 
Renee Mattson – Executive Director                     Joe Czapiewski – System Plan Coordinator
Renee.Mattson@gmrptcommission.org                coordinator@gmrptcommission.org
 
Garvin Park Report
Hole in the Mountain Park Report
Lake Washington Park Report
Memorial Park Report
Plum Creek Park Report
Ramsey Park Report
Twin Lakes Park Report

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces grant funding opportunities for park and trail projects across Minnesota. Applications are now being accepted for the following grant programs: outdoor recreation, natural and scenic area, regional trail, local trail connections and federal recreational trails.
 
These grants help local governments throughout the state create partnerships with the DNR to fund projects ranging from local parks, regional trails to trail connections. Eligibility requirements, deadlines, contact information and other details can be found on the DNR Web site at mndnr.gov or on the following program links:
 
Outdoor Recreation Grant Program
Natural and Scenic Area Program
Federal Recreational Trail Program
Regional Trail Grant Program
Local Trail Connections Grant Program

The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission coordinated a survey of three mountain bike systems in Greater Minnesota during the summer of 2022.  The Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota was hired to conduct a visitor intercept survey and trail user counts at the Lake County Split Rock Wilds, Winona Bluffs Traverse, and Tioga Recreation Area mountain bike areas.
 
These three systems were chosen for their distinctly different terrain, geographic location within the Greater Minnesota System and the diversity of visitor profiles to their area.
 
The information gathered in the research will help inform planning and marketing efforts by the GMRPTC and our collaborative partners.  Additionally, the information provides guidance for future trail expansions and development of new systems.
 
In this report you will find detailed information about the user counts and the visitor profiles for each system.  The report begins with a trail count summary that provides a starting point to understand the unique differences and the similarities of the average daily traffic.
 
We’d like to thank our friends at the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, Andrew Oftedal, Research and Policy Manager, who led the effort, compiled the data, wrote the reports and spent time at each of the locations to ensure the counts and surveys were of the highest accuracy and Executive Director Brett Feldman, who filled many survey shifts and found grant funding to keep the project on budget.  It was a pleasure working with them!
 
If you have questions or comments, please contact us:
 
Renee Mattson – Executive Director                     Joe Czapiewski – System Plan Coordinator
Renee.Mattson@gmrptcommission.org                coordinator@gmrptcommission.org

2022 Mountain Biking Count Summary
Lake County Split Rock Wilds Topline Report
Lake County Split Rock Wilds Visitor Profile 2022
Winona Bluffs Traverse Topline Report
Winona Bluffs Traverse Visitor Profile 2022
Tioga Recreation Topline Report
Tioga Recreation Visitor Profile 2022