The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced 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. Information about each of the grants can be found at this link provided by our friends at the League of Minnesota Cities.

Current Grant Opportunities

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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The GMRPTC has released its annual report to the legislature for 2017, detailing the extent of the Greater Minnesota system, project outcomes for Fiscal Years 2016-2018, key accomplishments for the year, and funding recommendations for Fiscal Year 2019. We extend our appreciation to all of our partners across Greater Minnesota, especially the hard work of our 13 appointed volunteer Commissioners, for making all of this possible!

Learn more about the Greater Minnesota system at an upcoming Parks and Trails Legacy Celebration in your region - fun for the whole family! Learn More Here

MnDOT has released their 2017 State Bicycle Map as a resource for both users and those planning transportation systems. As County-level maps are completed, they are also being added to the website. MnDOT Bicycle Maps.

"With a team of others from across the Rochester community, she is working to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability level, can experience the joy of biking." 
Read More Here

While the GMRPTC is a separate entity from the DNR, we are still partner agencies. Planning coordination between the Commission and MN DNR Parks and Trails is important. ​The purpose of the Parks and Trails Strategic Plan is to communicate the Division’s strategic priorities to staff and partners, so that they understand them and can assist with implementation efforts. 

Mn/DOT has created a new state bicycle map, available as a pdf download or in print. They have also created individual county-level bicycle maps, available online. Check it out! 
​Link here

​This report is the Metropolitan Council’s 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan. 

Prior to the establishment of Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (Commission) in 2013, Greater Minnesota did not have an established history of comprehensive planning for regional parks and trails. This strategic plan is the starting point for that process. Under this plan, the Commission formally takes on this responsibility by becoming what is essentially the third leg of a three-legged stool in meeting regional and state-level park and trail needs across Minnesota.


​2015 GMRPTC Strategic Plan