The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) has released its 2025 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 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 Chair of the Commission, Rick Anderson, introduces the report by reflecting on the abundance of the opportunities we have in Minnesota for outdoor activities and recreation.  he then discusses how much more there is to be done to allow others, especially those with disabilities, to be able to get out and enjoy nature.

Working with our partners, GMRPTC continued the work for the Minnesota Parks Artist in Residence (MNPAiR) program which will enhances the public's experience in the park facilities. GMRPTC has also in conjunction with our partners at the International Mountain Bike Associations (IMBA) hosted its mountain bike Trail Labs in Minnesota in 2025 and will continue to host the workshops for the next 2 years.

This year, Greater Minnesota system continues to grow adding 4 facilities for a total of 84 regionally designated parks, trails, and special feature facilities across 80 Greater Minnesota counties.

The Commission recommends $11,326,845 in awards to 12 applicants across the State.  At least one project in each of the six districts was funded.  Environmental/Archeological Grants up to $238,471 as well as Access and Inclusion grants up to $238,471 will also be available beginning on July 1, 2026.
 
The full report is available for download here.

Welcome to the December, 2025 Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission Newsletter!
In this newsletter we will cover:
* Newly funded Legacy Development and Acquisition projects for FY2027,
* Registration for the mandatory January Grant Award meeting, and
* A recap of the 2025 Accessibility Forums

GMRPTC Announces FY2027 Legacy Grant Awards
At the November 26, 2025 Commission meeting, Commissioners finalized the Fiscal Year 2027 funding recommendations. The application cycle resulted in 15 eligible submissions, and the Commission is pleased to report that Legacy funding has been recommended for 12 grant applications.

The selected projects encompass a wide scope of facility and trail enhancements, including trail reconstruction, improvements to accessibility, and new construction initiatives. These awards are expected to have a considerable positive impact on outdoor recreational opportunities for both Minnesotans and visitors.
Project
Award
District

Duluth Traverse
$1,318,978
District 1
Trailhead infrastructure improvements and construction of a beginner and intermediate bike skills development area and tot pump track at Duluth Traverse in Lester Park.  The trailhead improvements include a safer, reconfigured parking lot, wayfinding and signage and a dedicated trailhead plaza with appropriate site amenities.

Grand Marais Recreation Area
$1,066,750
District 1
Construction of a new, family-friendly bathhouse, replacing a 50-year-old structure with an accessible, energy-efficient building in a more strategic location.  New gateway entrance signage and wayfinding signage.

Mille Lacs County Soo Line Trail
$600,000
District 1
Improvements to the 2.2 mile Segment 3 to include reconstruction of a trail crossing, install trail and roadway crossing signage and improve the 20-foot-wide gravel trail surface.

Roseau River Water Trail
$1,112,254
District 2
First phase of projects for the water trail includes an accessible trail and viewing/fishing platform at the Roseau Rapids Park as well as paving roads at the Roseau City Park campground and boat launch access road.  The project will also upgrade six campsites and add kayak/canoe racks, picnic tables/shelters and interpretive signage in the campground.

Detroit Mountain Recreation Area
$821,700
District 3
Acquisition of 32.6 acres of adjacent land for site of future campground development.

Lac qui Parle County Park
$368,202
District 3
The grant is for supplemental funds to construct a pedestrian bridge across the Lac qui Parle River which separates the park. 

Otter Tail County Phelps Mill County Park
$713,747
District 3
Rebuild the historic parking lot for better flow and more parking spaces.  Construction of 4,000 feet of accessible paved trails connecting two boardwalks and the parking lot, construction of an amphitheater and seating area as well as building a new naturescape playground area.  The project will also repurpose the existing playground equipment to the campsite area to provide amenities for campers.

Willmar Robbins Island Regional Park
$1,327,945
District 3
Phase II of the unique two-sided amphitheater project at Robbins Island Regional Park.  This phase completes the project with the construction of the walls and roof, rest rooms, storage and ADA accessible spectator areas.  Improves existing trails and create rain gardens to reduce mud and increase pollinator activity. 

Chisago County Swedish Immigrant Trail
$477,441
District 4
The grant will provide for the complete reconstruction of Segment E of the trail.  The reconstruction will allow for a smoother transition to the newer existing trail corridor segments and provide a safer route access.

Lincoln County Hole in the Mountain Park
$901,890
District 5
Funding to expand the East Campground at the park.  The project will include the installation of electric, water and sewer service to accommodate 16 campsites.  Each campsite will include a pad, picnic table, fire pit and power pedestal.  The project also includes the installation of a new restroom and shower facility to expand access and outdoor recreational opportunities on the east side of the park.

Olmsted County Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo
$2,040,000
District 6
The project involves the critical replacement of two bridges, each over fifty years old, which have experienced substantial deterioration as a result of decades of seasonal flooding. The new bridges will feature accessible design improvements, unlike the existing structures, and will facilitate enhanced access to the park's interior for emergency response teams.  The new design is flood resilient and expected to minimize debris accumulation during high water events, helping to prevent erosion, reduce flow diversion and eliminate potential hazards for river-based recreation.

Rochester Gamehaven Park
$577,938
District 6
Construction of a mountain bike skills area and jump park, extension of power service for snowmaking equipment and an automated towing system for the snow tubing area.

TOTAL                  $11,326,845

Registration Now Open for January Grant Award Meeting

Registration is now open for the third annual GMRPTC Grant Award Meeting, to be held from 11AM - 3PM on Thursday, 29 January 2026, at the St. Cloud Holiday Inn & Suites.

REGISTRATION LINK: https://dms.gmrptcommission.org/index.php?capp=survey&id=30

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 pre-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.

All GMRPTC Legacy grant recipients for 2025 (FY2027) are required to attend in person. All other regionally designated and eligible-for-designation partners are encouraged to attend. Pre-registration at the above link is needed.

If you have any questions, please contact System Plan Coordinator Joe Czapiewski at [email protected].

2025 Accessibility Forum Series a Success!

The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission held a four-part series on accessibility in 2025, teaming up with national accessibility expert Bill Botten to provide education and advice for Greater Minnesota regional facility leaders.

Last year the Commission published a Statement on Inclusion, including principles on Universal Design, Inclusive Experiences, Community Engagement, Education and Training, Connection to Nature and the Outdoors, and Continuous Improvement. The forum series was designed to help fulfill the Education and Training principle. The full statement can be found at https://www.gmrptcommission.org/accessibility.html. Full forum descriptions, handouts, and videos can be found on that same webpage.

The first forum, on Playground Development and Maintenance, reviewed the minimum requirements for play areas in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design that apply to all newly designed or constructed play areas for children ages 2 and older.

Forum #2 focused on Pedestrian Trails and Shared Use Paths. Participants learned about the differences between accessible pedestrian trails and shared use paths, including technical and scoping requirements in the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Standards.

Picnic and Camping Facilities was the topic of the third forum, providing examples and technical minimum standards for picnic and camping amenities commonly found in Greater Minnesota.

The fourth and final forum recapped highlights from the first forums and addressed many in-depth questions posed by forum participants. The Q&A helped to clarify common sources of confusion in the standards, including application of the standards in new construction and alterations.

The GMRPTC is committed to helping our regional partners not only achieve minimum accessibility standards in their facilities, but in pursuing universal design concepts that exceed guidelines. It is important that all Minnesotans have access to the outdoor facilities, programming, and experiences that make Greater Minnesota a special place.

For more information on the forum series, please visit https://www.gmrptcommission.org/accessibility.html. If you have ideas or questions for future forums, please contact Joe at [email protected] or Renee at [email protected]. We hope to have additional forums with new topics in 2026!