GMRPTC March 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to the latest news from the GMRPTC! In this issue you'll hear about the February Accessibility forum and how to register for the next one in April; we will highlight upcoming funding application opportunities; a new partner designee in the Greater Minnesota regional system will be introduced; and you'll find out about a great new partnership with IMBA to hold their national Trail Labs in Minnesota this spring.

Recap of the February 18, 2025 Accessibly Play Areas Forum

On February 18, 2025, the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) hosted a forum on accessible play areas, led by national accessibility expert Bill Botten. The event focused on the importance of meeting accessibility standards in playground development and maintenance. The first of four forums planned for 2025 was well attended with more than 50 participants.

Botten, who has extensive experience in accessibility issues related to recreation facilities and outdoor developed areas, shared his expertise on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. He emphasized the need for inclusive play areas that cater to children of all abilities, ensuring that everyone can participate, enjoy, and experience park facilities.

The forum covered various aspects of accessible play components, including ground-level and elevated accessible routes, play area surfaces, transfer systems, soft contained play structures, and water play components. Botten also addressed the scoping and technical requirements for newly designed or constructed play areas, as well as the importance of routine maintenance to identify and address potentially hazardous conditions.

Participants had the opportunity to ask questions about common sources of confusion with accessible play areas and surfaces. The forum provided valuable insights and practical guidance for enhancing accessibility in parks and recreation areas.

View Forum Recording Here

April 18 Online Forum Registration Open

Forum #2: Pedestrian Trail and Shared Use Paths

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

11:30am - 1:00pm central

Enjoying a hike, a bike ride, a walk, a run, or a roll along a scenic route is a healthy way to spend time. This seminar will review the differences between accessible pedestrian trails and shared use paths. This session will review the technical and scoping requirements in the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Standards for newly constructed or altered pedestrian trails on federal sites and that serves as a best practice for state and local government pedestrian trail facilities. Additionally, the final scoping and technical guidelines for shared use paths which are designed primarily for use by bicyclists and pedestrians for transportation and recreation purposes will be addressed. In addition to an overview of the requirements for both pedestrian trail and shared use paths, the presenter will address participant's questions and share common sources of confusion with these unique recreational facilities.

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Forum 2 Registration

2025 Funding Application Announcements!

The GMRPTC announces several grant opportunities that open for Regionally Designated facilities starting April 1, 2025!

The Commission's traditional infrastructure Legacy grants, now called the Legacy Development and Acquisition grant, along with the programming and accessibility-based Connect People and the Outdoors (CPO) grants, are available starting April 1. Applications for these two grants are due July 31, 2025 and are available for projects that start in fiscal year 2027.

In addition, we are excited to announce two other new grant opportunities. Environmental/Archeological grants are earmarked for environmental/archeological review projects, prior to the application and funding for Legacy Development and Acquisition grants. Accessibility and Inclusion grants are designed to improve accessibility and inclusivity for the widest range of users of all abilities and ages. Inclusion provides equal access to recreation opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or intellectual disabilities.

Both of these new, targeted grant opportunities will have initial funding pools of $250,000 each. Applications will open on April 1 and will remain open until funding is exhausted. Project funding will be available for contract starting July 1, 2025.

In support of the Accessibility and Inclusion grants, the Commission is offering a limited number of accessibility audits conducted by consultant Bill Botten. Contact Commission staff if you are interested in learning more about barrier removal and improvement opportunities for your park or trail.

All funding applications must be completed in the online application portal, linked at the button below. Details on each grant can be found in the Funding Application Guidelines in the application toolbox, along with content instructions, templates, and other information.

Please contact Commission staff to discuss your project at your earliest convenience!

Application Portal

Welcome, Chisholm Redhead Mountain Bike Park, to the Greater Minnesota Regional System!

At their March 2025 meeting, the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission reviewed the Master Plan and evaluation for the Redhead Mountain Bike Park in Chisholm, MN. After careful consideration, the Commission unanimously approved Redhead's application to become part of the Greater Minnesota system!

Redhead Mountain Bike Park is a series of ten idled iron mine pits turned world-class mountain bike park. Multi-use trails traverse the red cliffside above the aqua-blue pit lakes, offering a panorama that is incomparable in the Midwest. With over 20,000 visits in 2022, Redhead is an economic driver for the region and the City of Chisholm.

IMBA Trail Labs Coming to Minnesota in 2025!

Speaking of mountain biking...













The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is set to bring its renowned Trial Labs Foundations to Minnesota in 2025, marking a significnat milestone for the state's mountian biking community. These two-day intensive workshops, designed to catalyze the next generation of great places to ride, will be hosted in Winona and Duluth, providing a unique opportunity for local enthusiasts and professionals to learn from the best in the industry.

What are IMBA Trail Labs?

IMBA Trail Labs are comprehensive workshops that guide participants through the process of creating a model community trail system. The curriculum covers planning, design, building, activation, promotion, and measuring success. Attendees will gain insights from IMBA staff, trail industry experts, and local stakeholders, ensuring they leave with the knowledge and guidance needed to develop sustainable and engaging trail systems.

Why Minnesota?

For the past several years, IMBA Trail Labs have been hosted amost exclusively in Bentonville, Arkansas. The decision to bring these workshops to Minnesota is a testament ot the state's growing reputation as a premier destination for mountain biking. Hosting the Trail Labs in Winona and Duluth will not only provide an economic boost to these communities but also offer Minnesotans the chance to attend these valuable sessions without having to travel far.

Workshop Details

The first Trail Lab of 2025 will be held in Winona on May 7-8, followed by a session in Duluth on October 1-2. These workshops are tailored for land managers, community officials, recreation professionals, and tourism/economic development staff. Participants will also have the opportunity to view firsthand the host community's mountain bike trails through field visits, gaining practical insights into the components of an intentional and diverse trail system.

The Impact

The arrival of IMBA Trial Labs in Minnesota is expected to have a lasting impact on the state's mountain biking landscape. By equipping local stakeholders with the tools and knowledge to create world-class trail systems, these workshops will help foster a vibrant and sustainable mountain biking community. Additionally, the exposure and promotion provided by IMBA will highlight the exceptional trails in Winona and Duluth, attracting riders from across the region and beyond.

The IMBA Trail Labs coming to Minnesota in 2025 represent a significant opportunity for the state's mountain biking community. With workshops designed to educate and inspire, Minnesota is poised to become an even more prominent destination for mountain biking enthusiasts.

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Learn More about Trail Labs!

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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"