Winter 2016 (February)

SpecialParks & Trails Coun cPlacesil of newsletter

W r inter Cone Flowers © Matt Kaise

Inside this issue Legislative Agenda pg 5-8 Upcoming Events pg 3 State Trail Count pg 14 Friends Group Corner pg 11 Anne Lenczewski pg 10

Artwork needed here! The unpaved section of the Casey Jones State Trail in Lake Wilson, MN that lies behind land we helped acquire for the trailhead.

Land Project: Casey Jones State Trail State parks and trails Buying a trailhead to inspire a trail license plate contest When a “for sale” sign went up on In fall of 2016 a new specialty li- About P&TCM’s Land the small, empty lot at the edge of cense plate featuring state parks and Acquisition Program the small town of Lake Wilson, it trails will be available. The plate will brought renewed excitement for a have an annual fee that supports With member support, we ensure group of volunteers who have been parks and trails and gives free entry magnificent natural areas are protect- working to connect a trail. This lot sits to all MN state parks for the year! ed for the public’s benefit. We acquire right along a short, natural-surface critical land when it goes up for sale, segment of the Casey Jones State But first a design is needed. The then hold it in trust while working Trail and would provide an optimal DNR is holding a contest for the with partners to add the land into a trailhead. Acquiring a key parcel like best design with entries being ac- park or trail. Once incorporated, we this can spur movement on paving cepted May 2 - 6. The official rules reinvest those dollars into the next and extending the trail. and template are available at critical land acquisition. www.dnr.state.mn.us/parksplate/ Casey Jones | pg. 9 index.html

Acquiring, protecting and enhancing critical land for the public’s use & benefit. From the President Feeling appreciation for Minnesota’s “Green Zones” By Mike Tegeder, president tremendous contributions to our worthy of the 125th anniversary. The quality of life. And this does not issue also has a story about our recent Minnesota native, Dan even factor in the environmental or acquisition for the Casey Jones Trail. Buettner, has become in- economic benefits associated with There is more than enough work for ternationally famous for tourism. the next 125 years. Join us for our his promotion of “blue Day of Advocacy to share our efforts zones,” areas around the The full appreciation of these special and hopes. world that are associated places may be a recent discovery. But with people living exceptionally long Minnesotans have seen the value of P&TC staff are helping us make and active lives. A number of fac- “green zones” for a long time. In- the case for our advocacy. This issue tors are involved including diet and deed this year we are celebrating the presents our trail count results. The exercise. And a common denominator 125th anniversary of the Minnesota staff are there to help our friends is that these people also benefit from State Park system beginning with the groups and members in their legisla- being outdoors. establishment of . tive efforts. Many have contributed to this great Blue zones are really a way of life and legacy. This includes the Parks & But we need to celebrate. There is also can be replicated in any clime. You Trails Council over the past 62 years. information in the newsletter about do not have to travel to some exotic our Annual Dinner. It should be a Shangri-La to experience them. In Congratulations are in order, but great evening and your presence will fact, it got me thinking about “green challenges remain. This issue of the make it better. zones,” our parks and trails. These also P&TC newsletter features our legis- foster a way of living like that of the lative agenda for this year’s bonding blue zones. Whether it is increased session. We have our work cut out for satisfaction with life or recognized us in making the case for truly fund- health benefits, parks and trails make ing our parks and trails in a manner

We are a proud member of the Minnesota Environmental Fund, a workplace giv- ing option comprised of 22 environmental nonprofits working to protect, conserve and restore Minnesota’s environment. Visit the website to see if you can donate through your workplace or to find out how to add your workplace to the program. www.mnenvirofund.org

Thank you to our business sponsors

Minnesota TRAILS A Parks & Trails Journal / MnTrails.com www.mntrails.com page 2 Winter 2016 (February) Annual Dinner Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at Town & Country Club in St. Paul 5:30 PM silent auction & cash bar | 6:30 PM dinner & program $75/person | register online: www.ParksAndTrails.org U V V V Silent Auction & Raffle Share a State Park or Trail Memory features lodging art, outdoor experiences and gear. Preview items at www.ParksAndTrails.org As part of the 125th birthday of Minnesota State Parks and Trails, we are collecting people’s memories. Our hope U V Plated Dinner is to have memories from all the state parks and trails to choice of walleye, chicken or ravioli. share on our website and as part of our annual dinner. We need your help to make this happen! U V Event Sponsors Go online to share now: www.ParksAndTrails.org And you’ll be entered in a drawing for a $250 gift card to Arc’teryx!

Parks & Trail Advocacy Day Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 at Harriet Island Regional Park Pavilion 8:30 AM breakfast | 9 - noon program | noon - lunch & cake to celebrate 125 years of state parks and trails $15/person | register online: www.ParksAndTrails.org

Parks & Trails Council’s Advocacy Day is a day to gather your legislator, whether you choose to do it on this day or with fellow advocates of Minnesota’s parks and trails. We during session. start with a light breakfast and end with lunch. The day will be filled with educational sessions on how With the current construction happening at the state to be an advocate at the state capitol for parks and trails. capitol we’ve moved to a new venue, farther from the Learn about our top legislative issues for parks and trails, capitol and we’re meeting before the legislative session meet and hear from Friends Groups across the state, and begins. We will equip you with information to meet with hear and ask questions to key legislators.

Winter 2016 (February) page 3 P&TC Research Parks & Trails Council releases first-of-its-kind state trail count

The results of our first-of-its kind defined summertime to broadly mean Youth (those under 18 years of age) state trail count are in! After many April through October). account for 12% of all trail users, hours of data collecting and number compared to 23.5% of the general crunching, we estimate Minnesota On average, each trail location we population. state trails are used 1.8 million times sampled is used roughly 67,000 times by bicyclists, walkers, joggers, and per summer. Some locations, however, Parks & Trails Council initiated skaters every summer. receive substantially more traffic. a statewide trail count in the fall The busiest location we sampled of 2015 because one of the most We arrived at our traffic estimate was on the near common questions we’re asked when for state trails by adapting the trail Duluth Junction, where we estimate advocating for trail projects is “how counting methodology outlined by summertime traffic exceeds 200,000. many people use (or will use) the MnDOT’s Bicycle and Counting trail?” We hope our 2015 trail count Initiative. With the help of 82 The results from our trail count also will lead to expanded trail counts in volunteers, we collected 235 hours shed light on some characteristics of future years. The more information worth of data at 25 different trail state trail users. The majority of state we have, the better we can support locations during September and trail users are bicyclists (61%), though the trails we all love to explore. October of 2015. Data from each non-bikers make up a significant trail location was then extrapolated minority. Approximately a quarter of For more results, and details on our to estimate how much summertime state trail users are walkers, 11% are methodology, please see the full traffic each location receives (we joggers, and 3% are skaters. State trail report at www.parksandtrails.org. users also skew older than average;

Results from our 2015 trail count: Estimated traffic by mode split:

61% Bicyclists

25% Walkers

11% Joggers 200k 3% 175k Skaters

150k Estimated traffic by age group: 125k

100k 88% Over 18

Traffic Volume 75k 50k 12% Under 18 25k 10k page 4 Winter 2016 (February) 1 Celebrating S 2 R 5 Y E A

of Minnesota Parks & Trails

2016 Legislative Agenda Photo Credit: Randen Pederson

To celebrate Minnesota’s parks and trails outdoors: Approximately half of our state trail miles remain 125th birthday, let’s give them the birthday undeveloped, and over 43,000 acres of state park land is still privately owned. gift they deserve! Parks & Trails Council, with the help of local partners and On April 20, 1891, the Minnesota Legislature did something agencies across the state, have identified over $100 million (nearly) unprecedented: By a margin of only one vote, they of capital investment needs to revitalize, update, and created Itasca State Park to preserve the headwaters of our expand our parks and trails. This investment, along with the country’s most treasured river. Only Niagara Falls in New recommendation of the Legislative-Citizen’s Commission York was protected as a state park earlier. on Natural Resources (LCCMR) to spend $4.4 million of the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund on park In the 125 years since, Minnesota’s state park system has and trail projects, would leave a lasting legacy for future grown into one of the nation’s finest. But after so many years, generations. The needs we’ve identified build upon projects Minnesota’s state parks and trails need to be revitalized and funded in the 2014 capital investment bill, leverage local updated. They’re 125 years old, after all. And in addition to dollars, get our parks and trails up-to-date and create new taking care of what we have, there is still a need to create opportunities for the next 125 years. new opportunities for Minnesotans to enjoy the great

Top Reasons to Invest in Parks and Trails in 2016:

It’s their 125th Birthday! They’re popular! quality of life

• Minnesota State Parks and Trails turn • State Parks host over 8 million visitors • Over half of Minnesotans say parks and 125 in 2016. We are blessed with the every year. trails are a key consideration when deciding second-oldest state park system in the • Visits to state parks have been trending where to live. country. up for years, and increased nearly 20% • Every $1 spent on trails saves an • After so many years of being loved, between 2014 and 2015. estimated $3 in health costs. Minnesota’s state parks and trails have • Over half of Minnesotans bike, and a • Parks and trails in Minnesota create $2.8 substantial rehabilitation needs. quarter ride at least weekly during the billion in economic activity and support summertime. 22,000 jobs.

275 East 4th Street, Suite 250, St. Paul, MN 55101 • (651) 726-2457 or (800) 944-0707 • www.ParksAndTrails.org Legislative Agenda

Our 2016 Legislative priorities: Project Details Where and how $105 million would leave a legacy for another 125 years

All of our recommended projects have been reviewed to ensure they...

Are relevant and valued Provide high-quality Enhance connectivity Protect exceptional by the public outdoor experiences and fill system gaps natural resources

See back page for our map highlighting the statewide impact of parks and trails

State Park and Trail Rehabilitation The Need: $57.5 Million

State Park and Trail Renewal Itasca State Park Renovations $40 MILLION $10 MILLION

Investments are needed to renew Minnesota’s aging state park and trail Minnesota’s oldest state park has substantial renovation needs as it turns system, where many of the facilities were built in the 1930s. Funds are 125 years old. Funds are needed for erosion control at the headwaters, needed to rehabilitate historic structures, repair park roads, replace rehabilitating water and sewer systems, renovating the Bear Paw sewer lines, fix health and safety issues, ensure ADA compatibility, repair campground, realigning the bike trail to improve safety, renovating the crumbling trail pavement, rehabilitate horse trails and crossings, ensure Nicollet Court lodging area, and reforesting the park’s pine stands. trail bridges are safe, and improve water access points.

State Park Campground Renovations State Park Restoration $7 MILLION $500,000

Camping is the backbone of the state park experience, but many state park State Parks preserve much of what is left of Minnesota’s once sprawling camping facilities are antiquated. Funds are needed to replace toilet and . Funds are needed to continue prairie restoration projects across shower buildings, upgrade electric and RV sites, repave campground roads, the state. Priority parks include Glacial Lakes SP, Lake Bronson SP, Big Stone improve energy efficiency, and address storm water runoff issues. Lake SP, Blue Mounds SP, Camden SP, Sibley SP, and Upper Agency SP.

Greater Minnesota parks & Trails The Need: $6.6 Million

Local & Regional Grant Programs Dakota Rail Trail Faribault Northern Links Trail $5 MILLION $900,000 $710,000

To provide competitive grants to local For a grant to the McCleod County Regional For a grant to the city of Faribault to create a governments outside the metropolitan area Rail Authority to extend the existing Dakota Rail key trail link connecting the city’s trail system to for acquisition and development of local and Regional Trail an additional two miles into the downtown Faribault, North Alexander Park, the regional parks and trails. These grants are city of Lester Prairie. This is a key segment for Mill Towns State Trail, and the Sakatah Singing especially important because they fund projects future connections to the Luce Line State Trail. Hills State Trail. that aren’t eligible for Legacy Funds.

275 East 4th Street, Suite 250, St. Paul, MN 55101 • (651) 726-2457 or (800) 944-0707 • www.ParksAndTrails.org Legislative Agenda

State Park and Trail Acquisition & Development The Need: $27.7 Million

State Park, Recreation Area, and Trail Acquisition & Development $10 MILLION

To acquire and develop key recreational features across Minnesota’s state parks, recreation areas, and state trails. Priority projects include a new visitor center at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine SP, new mountain biking trails at Cuyuna Country SRA, developing the Upper Bluff, redeveloping the beach picnic area at William O’Brien SP, and many others.

Casey Jones State Trail Chester Woods State Trail Gitchi Gami State Trail $1.25 MILLION $2.25 MILLION $3.13 MILLION

To develop and pave 5 miles of existing rail bed To complete construction of a 5-mile segment To create an unbroken 11-mile segment of trail into Woodstock, MN, including interpretive connecting Rochester, MN to Chester Woods by completing a key trail connection in Tofte, displays and prairie restoration. County Park, and to acquire land from willing MN; and to extend the trail 3.3 miles from sellers for an eventual connection to Eyota, MN. Grand Marais to Cutface Creek.

Glacial Lakes State Trail Goodhue Pioneer State Trail $2.59 MILLION $1.3 MILLION $350,000

To complete a 6.25 mile trail connection To extend the Goodhue Pioneer State Trail To develop a trailhead parking area along between New London, MN and Sibley State 5 miles from its current terminus north of the existing trail in Park Rapids, MN, and Park. Includes costs of repairing existing bicycle Zumbrota, MN, into Goodhue, MN. begin design planning on an authorized trail trail in . connection to Itasca State Park.

Interstate State Park Mill Towns State Trail Minnesota Valley State Trail $2.2 MILLION $650,000 $1.5 MILLION

To construct a trail connection through To match federal funds for a bicycle and To complete a 13-mile trail along the Minnesota Interstate State Park, which is necessary to pedestrian bridge in Faribault, MN, creating a River in Bloomington, MN. The completed trail connect Taylors Falls, MN, to the existing 20- key connection between the Mill Towns State will feature both a hardened and natural surface mile Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail. Trail and Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail. trail to accommodate multiple uses.

Mississippi Blufflands State Trail Preston-Harmony State Trail $1 MILLION $1.5 MILLION

To begin construction and land acquisition needed to complete the newly To extend the existing Preston-Harmony State Trail 6 miles to the Iowa authorized trail between Red Wing, MN, to Lake City, MN, including a border to connect with northeastern Iowa’s emerging regional trail connection to . network. Includes cost of trail connection to Niagara Cave.

metropolitan regional parks & Trails The Need: $13.0 Million

Metropolitan Regional Parks & Trails Battle Creek Winter Rec. Area $11 MILLION $2 MILLION

To fund capital investment projects - including land acquisition, new development, and rehabilitation - For a grant to Ramsey County to design, in the Metropolitan Area’s regional parks and trails. The $11 million in state funds would be distributed construct and equip the Battle Creek Winter across the 10 implementing park agencies of the Met Council, and be matched by $7.33 million of Recreation Area in St. Paul with a permanent local funds. Priority projects include improvements at Bunker Hills Regional Park in Anoka County, snow making system for cross-country skiing, implementing the Above the Falls Regional Park Master Plan in Minneapolis, improvements to Trout downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and Brook Regional Trail in St. Paul, rehabilitation of Keller Regional Park in Ramsey County, acquisition sledding. The $2 million in state bonding would costs of Doyle-Kennefick Regional Park in Scott County, improvements to the Point Douglas Regional be matched with $1 million of local funds and $1 Trail in Washington County, and many others. million of private funds.

275 East 4th Street, Suite 250, St. Paul, MN 55101 • (651) 726-2457 or (800) 944-0707 • www.ParksAndTrails.org Legislative Agenda

Celebrating 125 years with statewide Investments in Parks & Trails

We’ve identified priority park & trail projects that: Renew Existing Infrastructure Fix Safety & Health Issues

Sustain Local Communities Improve Connectivity

Here are just a few of the key Encourage Healthy Lifestyles Have Local Support

projects waiting for funding... Protect Our Land & Water Are Shovel Ready !

Prairie restoration at Lake Bronson SP Visitor center at Lake Vermilion- Rehab toilet/shower Soudan Underground SP facilities at Scenic SP !!! !! ! !!! Renovations at Itasca SP ! Complete Tofte connection and Grand ! ! ! Marais to Cutface Creek Segment on Swimming beach flood ! the Gitchi Gami State Trail Replace hiking bridge at Tettegouche SP protection at Buffalo River SP ! ! ! Renovate campground and ! ! facilities at Jay Cooke SP ark & ! Expand mountain biking P Trail See insid Nee at Cuyuna Country SRA e page ds fo s for r 2016: Develop trailhead and begin design additi onal det on trail connection to Itasca SP ! ails ! ! ! State Park & Trail Rehabilitation: ! ! $57.5M Rehab toilet/shower State Park & Trail Acquisition & Development: Prairie restoration facilities at St. Croix SP ! at Glacial Lakes SP ! $27.7M Renovate campground and beach area at Sibley SP Metropolitan Regional Parks & Trails: ! ! $13.0M Glacial Lake State Trail ! ! connection to Sibley SP ! ! Greater Minnesota Parks & Trails: Prairie restoration at Upper Sioux Agency SP ! $6.6M !! ! LCCMR Trust fund projects: !! Mississippi Blufflands State Trail ! $4.4M Renovate campground ! at Minneopa SP !! ! !! Chester Woods State Trail construction !!! ! ! ! !!! Repave 9 miles of pavement on the ! Root River Trail rehabilitation ! Pave 5 new miles of the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail Casey Jones State Trail ! ! ! Preston-Harmony Trail extension Vector graphics designed by Freepik

275 East 4th Street, Suite 250, St. Paul, MN 55101 • (651) 726-2457 or (800) 944-0707 • www.ParksAndTrails.org CASEY JONES STATE TRAIL

State Trail North Major roads Other roads STATE PARK Towns 6 30 Casey Jones State Trail 65 Currie 91 consists of three unconnected

59 7 Woodstock segments, with plans to 5 Lake Wilson (unpaved) eventually connect them all. 30 Slayton Pipestone Parks & Trails Council assisted in acquiring a parcel in Lake 75 Wilson for a trailhead.

 Casey Jones State Trail acquisition continued from page 1

The Friends of the Casey Jones Trail Council of Minnesota. “It shows that wasted little time before taking ac- the community really believes in this tion. One member offered to donate trail and will make a personal invest- the $2,500 to buy the land, and then ment to get it done.” Local com- the group quickly partnered with our munities are often the driving force staff to coordinate the deal. Shortly for building state trails because they thereafter, in late August of 2015 we see the benefits they bring to their closed on the land. community both for local recreation and in attracting users from across the The Friends of Casey Jones Trail are planning to We will hold the land in trust, pro- state to visit. create and install a sign similar to this one at the tecting its use for the trail until the recently acquired land. Department of Natural Resources The Friends plan to begin raising (DNR) is ready to complete this sec- funds to be used for transforming the In addition to local fundraising, the tion of the Casey Jones State Trail. land into a trailhead in the coming Friends plan to rally behind bond- The Friends plan year. The land has ing bills introduced by their local to donate the land It shows that the space to accommo- legislators Rep. Joe Schomacker to the DNR when “community really be- date a parking lot, (R-Luverne) and Sen. Bill Weber (R- that time comes. lieves in this trail and picnic table, bench Luverne). The priority for this year’s But that may be will make a personal and a sign. The sign request for the Casey Jones State a while as there is investment to get it the Friends hope to Trail is to extend the paved segment currently 3.5 miles done.” ~ Brett Feldman, install will be similar P&TC executive director of the trail, which currently runs for of land that needs to the two artist- five miles starting in Pipestone and to be acquired designed signs that ends in the countryside at Hwy. 16. before this Lake grace the trailheads Parks & Trails Council’s legislative Wilson segment connects with the in Pipestone and along the Currie committee endorsed this project and Woodstock segment. Loop segment. These signs feature we are advocating for $1.25 million painted scenes from along the trail, in funding to extend the pavement “Taking action to buy this small par- such as Lake Shetek, quaint farm- for another 5 miles into Woodstock cel is a bold move that we’re excited land, a dam, a peace pipe, and historic while restoring the prairie and adding to be a part of,” said Brett Feldman, downtown buildings. interpretive signs along the route (see executive director of Parks & Trails

Winter 2016 (February) page 9 P&TC Government Relations Former Rep. Ann Lenczewski to represent Parks & Trails Council

her because she knew what she was talking about, she was smart and she always told me the truth.”

P&TC has always had high-quality government relations consultants. Most recently, Joe Bagnoli and Sarah Psick from McGrann Shea Carnival Straugh & Lamb made significant contributions that will remain part of the parks and trails legacy. Dur- ing Bagnoli and Psick’s five-year Ann Lenczewski tenure working on behalf of P&TC, state parks and trails saw double- We are proud to announce an exciting how to get things done. She has been digit increases in base funding during enhancement to our government rela- a champion for key issues to parks two consecutive bienniums, and we tions program as the highly respected, and trails, authoring bills that funded celebrated a nearly $18 million appro- former chair of the House Taxes the restoration of the Old Cedar Ave- priation for state trail acquisition and Committee, Ann Lenczewski will nue Trail Bridge, and development of development in 2014. represent P&TC at the state capitol the Minnesota Valley State Trail. She during the 2016 legislative session. also authored a bill (HF 2204) that We expect to continue this strong re- Lenczewski had been a strong sup- would have provided $135 million cord of support for parks and trails in porter of parks and trails during her for construction and maintenance of the coming year, which is particularly 16 years at the Legislature, where she state trails. When not authoring, she significant as Minnesota State Parks retired from last year. has played the role of key supporter and Trails celebrate 125 years in 2016. on other important bills such as the P&TC is the first organization for double-digit budget increases for state which Lenczewski will serve as the parks and trails in both 2013 and designated lobbyist in her new role 2015; and the 2014 bonding bill that with Lockridge Grindal Nauen’s State appropriated over $60 million to park Government Relations Group. The and trail projects, the largest park and firm represents clients throughout the trail capital investment in years. Midwest and in Washington D.C. in a variety of industries. “We are excited As a lawmaker, Lenczewski earned to add such an experienced capitol respect across the aisle as being smart agney veteran to our team as we communi- and forthright. Rep. Greg Davids, the M cate our state’s parks and trails needs Republican chair of the House Tax Circle to lawmakers,” said P&TC executive Committee was quoted in the Nov. Named in honor of director Brett Feldman. 16 Pioneer Press for saying, “she’s Judge C. R. Magney, the forgotten more about taxes than I’d Magney Circle consists of members With over 20 years of experience in ever know. Whether it be Democrats who support our mission with a public office, Lenczewski understands or my side of the aisle, you respected generous contribution of $500 or more each year. Magney Circle members are invited to special events during the year. To join, visit parksandtrails.org/join_donate

page 10 Winter 2016 (February) Friends Group Corner Friends Group Partners Friends Groups that are members of Friends’ events bring more to park Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota Calling one and all to Lake Maria Association, Inc. State Park! That seems to be the Cedar Lake Park Association motto of the Friends of . This group of volunteers Friends of Anderson Park is dedicated to creating an inviting Friends of Bertram Chain of Lakes atmosphere at the park, in part by or- Regional Park ganizing fun, free activities through- Friends of out the year. The upcoming lineup for this year includes (plus two events Friends of Casey Jones Trail already happened in Jan.): Friends of Forestville Candlelight Hike - Friends of Sat., Feb. 13, 6-9pm Friends of Itasca State Park The Friends have joined forces Friends of with the North Star Trail Travel- Friends of Jackson County Trails Lake Maria State Park ers to coordinate this event that Friends of will include apple juice and cider. At a glance Friends of Lake Maria State Park Maple Syrup Demo - Friends of Luce Line West Sat., April 2 & Sun., April 3 Friends Group Started: Friends of 1996 Park manager will give a demo while the Friends sell maple Friends of Mill Towns State Trail Mission: syrup. To work together to preserve Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails the park’s environment and sup- Halloween Howl - Friends of the Lindbergh Heritage port park activities. Sat., Oct. 29, 5pm Nature oriented program. The Friends of About the Park: Friends provide the materials for Frontenac State Park Association Located in Monticello, this park making masks. offers 14 miles of hiking trails, Gateway-Brown’s Creek Trail Association 22 km of ski trails, 5 km skate In addition to events, the Friends ski trails, 17 backpack sites and 3 Gitchi Gami Trail Association help care for the park. Recently a camper cabins. Friends member donated $5,000 to Glacial Ridge Trail Association Facebook Page: hire a crew for removing invasive Association www.facebook.com/groups/ buckthorn. friendsoflakemaria Minnesota Horse Council The Friends are also document- MN Nordic Ski Association ing the history of the park. Go to their facebook page (www.facebook. North Star Ski Touring Club com/friendsoflakemaria) to read an Northstar Trail Travelers interview with an old landowner who Lake Maria Prairie Visions State Park reminisced about how the land was used before it became a park. Anoth- Sibley State Park Improvement er good read is the journal book from Association the camper cabins, where campers jotted down their experiences over Southeast Minnesota Association of Regional Trails (SMART) the years.

Winter 2016 (February) page 11 Board of Directors Parks & Trails Council of MN Non-Profit Org Executive Committee U.S. Postage 275 E. 4th St., Suite #250 Mike Tegeder, President PAID St. Paul, MN 55101-1626 Twin Cities, MN Julie Gugin, Vice President (651) 726-2457 or (800) 944-0707 Permit #4936 Robert O. Erickson, Treasurer www.parksandtrails.org Dorothy Anderson, Secretary Bob Bierscheid Tom Pavey Verónica Jaralambides Bruce Johnson

Directors Your membership anniversary is Richard “Dick” Brainerd Kathy Connelly XX/XX Gary Connett Anne Flueckiger Paul Karazija Kellie Lowman Ed Murphy Emily Nesvold Name Stacy Osmond Tom Stoa Address Honorary Directors City, State Zip Rollis Bishop Sen. David Durenberger Thomas T. Dwight Martin Kellogg David Minge Mike Prichard Peter Seed Staff & Consultants

Brett Feldman Executive Director

Lisa Filter External Relations Director

Ann Lenczewski Government Relations Consultant www.parksandtrails.org Andrew Oftedal Research & Policy Specialist facebook.com/parksandtrails Steve Young Land Acquisition Consultant

Caitlin Woodard GIS Intern Special Places is published three times a year by the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota Lisa Filter, editor