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Home , Crow Wing State Park, Maplewood State Park, Whitewater State Park

Parks & Trails Council of 2012 Bonding Priorities Investing in Parks and Trails for Our Health, Economy and Future innesota’s parks and of Main Street businesses across the The Parks & Trails Council sought trails are part of what state. Tourism is comparable to agri- input from dozens of organizations, M culture in its contributions to the gross communities and citizens across Min- we do and who we are. state product. nesota to put together bonding initia- Our parks and trails play an We have one of the oldest and most tives that are representative of the needs important role in helping us become respected park and trail systems in the across the state, in all geographical areas. and stay healthy; they are also a major nation because of the investment made The 2012 Bonding Initiative was generator of economic activity, all by previous legislatures. But in times developed with four key goals: year long. A majority of us take part of stress on public funding of all kinds, • To achieve connectivity of in outdoor recreation, from walking as we have now, there is a risk that we Minnesota’s trails, habitat and parks to mountain biking to camping with won’t carry on that legacy. network—including interconnections the family to hunting and fishing. The Parks & Trails Council of and links to cities, towns, workplaces, Communities in every part of the state Minnesota, as part of its mission, schools and colleges. depend on the money that visitors advocates for the acquisition, develop- • To expand collaboration across spend while enjoying parks and trails. ment and operation of parks and trails governments and non-profit groups. Explore Minnesota research shows throughout the state. This set of more that Minnesotans and visitors make than $84 million in bonding priorities • To make it easier for communities to our state a destination because of our for the 2012 help acquire, develop and maintain natural scenery, historic sites and parks builds on the goals for parks and trails state trails partnering with the DNR. and trails. Travel and tourism creates presented to the Legislature in the last • To accelerate land acquisition and jobs and generates sales in virtually few years; many of the projects listed development of trails and parks when every county of the state. Travelers have gotten state funding in the past. land becomes available from willing in Minnesota spend more than $33 This year’s bonding should continue sellers. million a day and support a variety the investments already made.

State Park Land critical parcels of land within, and adjacent to, boundaries of parks Acquisition Priorities remain in private ownership. Funding is needed to assure the he Parks & Trails Council acquisition of these properties as they Tsupports investing $5 mil- become available for sale. If these lion in state park acquisition lands are sold and developed privately, they are lost to the system. Private funding from the 2012 bonding ownership of in-holdings often means bill for land acquisition, including fragmenting the park resources, which 10 acres at . can lead to increased management costs and disruption to visitors. The State Park Land Acquisition A commitment to providing program enables the Department of ongoing bonding funding for state Natural Resources to purchase lands park acquisition is a wise investment within planned and legislatively au- in a park system that is under con- thorized state park boundaries as they stant threat from both population and become available from willing sellers. development pressures. With land An ongoing land acquisition program values at historic lows in many parts protects the integrity of our state park of the state, now is the time to make resources from incompatible uses such cludes 66 state parks, 7 state recreation these investments. as housing developments. areas and 8 waysides and encompasses Minnesota’s state park system in- more than 240,000 acres of land. Yet (continued on next page)

275 East Fourth Street, Suite #250, St. Paul, MN 55101 • (651) 726-2457 • www.parksandtrails.org Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota 2012 Bonding Priorities

(State Park Land, continued) property would prevent forest frag- many artifacts and that has been mentation and would allow for con- determined to be National Register Crow Wing State Park—10 acres sistent natural resource management Quality by state archeologists. When a small peninsula at the for wildlife species that are declining confluence of the Mississippi and worldwide. The second 80-acre prop- Crow Wing rivers in the heart of erty provides an open vista between Crow Wing State Park was being the highway and forested parklands. State Trail Priorities subdivided and sold for residential Mille Lacs Kathio State Park— development, the Parks & Trails 125 acres he Parks & Trails Council Council intervened on the state’s be- Two separate parcels within the of Minnesota 2012 Trails half to secure options so that the land T park boundaries have been deemed to could be held in trust. Acquisition of Bonding Initiative calls for be of the highest cultural and historical these parcels ensures public access to significance. In addition to the presence $26.565 million for acquisi- a culturally rich peninsula that was of documented and undocumented once home to an village and tion and development of state burial grounds, both of these parcels are a key trading post. Complements trails, with projects that can be located within the Kathio National His- 2011–2012 LCCMR funding. toric Landmark District. Acquisition of undertaken quickly. Cuyuna Country State these lands for the park would provide These trails bonding priorities Recreation Area—89 acres protection of adjacent wetlands. reflect the continued demand for trail This area of former mining pits Nerstrand Big Woods State Park— acquisition and development as an and rock deposit stockpiles now boasts 193 acres economic development tool. The 2012 regenerated vegetation and clear lakes Three separate landowners are Trails Bonding Initiative will provide that draw a wide range of recreation currently marketing land within the many benefits to Minnesotans: enthusiasts. This is an 89-acre parcel park. The largest parcel is 143 acres • Trail rehabilitation and development with one owner, which would allow of rolling hills, Big Woods and Oak projects result in local job retention for greatly improved access as well as Savannah that during the end of the and creation. providing a better hiking and biking housing boom was purchased by a • Trails contribute to sustainable econo- experience within the recreation area. developer. Another 20-acre parcel The recreation area is also home to mies by creating business opportunities offers Big Woods protection while the and supporting other tourism activities. an internationally acclaimed 25-mile remaining 30-acre parcel would enable mountain bike trail system. the park to consolidate its land man- • Trails offer a safe transportation alternative, complementing roads and —40 acres agement while simultaneously holding commuter routes. Lowland-forested wetland with a off a development threat. • Trails contribute to healthy citizens. small stream flowing through it, and —16 acres exposed dolomite bluff. Acquisition This 16-acre parcel, owned by Blazing Star State Trail—$500,000 of this parcel would protect habitat in one individual, would complete park To acquire and develop 5.2 miles one of the best spots in the country to ownership of Lake 21 and provide connecting the village of Moscow view migrating birds. extremely high-quality recreational to Austin. This segment extends the —439 acres trail opportunities. Blazing Star trail east from Myre- Big Island State Park toward Austin, Acquisition of this park inholding —48 acres where it will connect with the western would make the parks land manage- Four privately owned Lake Su- end of the Shooting Star State Trail. ment activities more efficient while perior shoreline properties adjacent simultaneously neutralizing an to Tettegouche State Park on Min- Brown’s Creek State Trail— ongoing development threat. nesota’s spectacular North Shore. $1.5 million —160 acres Combined, these four properties on To complete development of 6-mile There are two separate 80-acre the Palisade Head Coast would make Brown’s Creek Trail, which will connect acquisition opportunities in the park. an ideal expansion of the existing park the Gateway State Trail in Grant to One features rolling topography with by adding 1/2 mile of shoreline and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway wetlands, open grasslands and hard- approximately 87 acres to the park. in Stillwater. Funding complements woods and the other would protect Acquisition of the 48-acre parcel previous LCCMR and 2011 bonding high-quality hardwood forest and would preserve an intact historic appropriations and Washington County wetlands. Acquiring the first 80-acre North Shore fish camp that includes funding.

275 East Fourth Street, Suite #250, St. Paul, MN 55101 • (651) 726-2457 • www.parksandtrails.org Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota 2012 Bonding Priorities

Camp Ripley/Veterans State Trail— of 5 miles of trail from White Willow Shooting Star State Trail— $2 million to Goodhue. The state already owns 3 $2,326,250 Initial acquisition and development miles of the trial, and the remaining 2 For property acquisition and trail for the recently authorized Camp miles have seven willing sellers. Comple- development (Rose Creek to Austin Ripley/Veterans State Trail. The trail ments past state funding extending the segment) and to develop existing 5.6 starts at the trail from Zumbrota to White Willow miles of trail. Complements past state in Crow Wing State Park, goes south and from Red Wing to Hay Creek. funding. along the through Heartland State Trail—$2 million Stagecoach State Trail—$500,000 Little Falls and ends at the Soo Line Land acquisition and development Acquisition of initial land for the South ATV Trail near Royalton. to complete 9-mile trail segment from Stagecoach State Trail, a 40-mile trail Casey Jones State Trail—$2 million Detroit Lakes to Frazee. Comple- that will connect the proposed Prairie Development of 7 miles of mul- ments funding from 2006 and 2008. Wildflower State Trail in Steele tipurpose trail in Pipestone County County to the existing Douglas State Luce Line State Trail—$2.5 million and acquisition of 4 miles of trail in Trail in Olmsted County. Paving of 24 miles of existing Murray County. Complements past limestone trail west from Winsted Whitewater Country Trail Loop— state funding. through Silver Lake and Hutchinson $1.012 million. Cuyuna Lakes State Trail— to Cedar Mills. Adds 1 new mile of Development of the 6-mile bike $2.365 million trail, closing the gap in the trail west and walking trail known as the St. Continued development of the of Winsted. Charles to the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail with seg- segment of the Whitewater Country Mill Towns State Trail—$2 million ments from Crosby to Deerwood, Trail Loop. Complements past state The Mill Towns Trail will provide Paul Bunyan Trail to Lum Park and a funding. a permanent trail linking the Cannon segment connecting to the Sagamore Valley Trail at Cannon Falls and the Unit of the Cuyuna Country State Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail at Recreation Area. Complements past Faribault. Funding is required now for state funding. three critical segments: purchase of Connect People to the Gateway State Trail—$2 million 6.5 miles of undeveloped rail bed from Outdoors Continuation of land acquisition Faribault to Dundas; construction of a and trail development of 7-mile trail bridge over the Cannon River Cannon he Parks & Trails Council from Pine Point Park in May Town- River connecting the Sakatah Singing supports $27.6 million in ship to William O’Brien State Park Hills trail to the Mill Towns Trail at T near Marine on St. Croix. Comple- a trail head in Faribault; and purchase bonding requested by the DNR ments past state funding. of 40 acres of Cannon River shoreline for several projects that are part east of Lake Byllesby to connect Lake Gitchi Gami State Trail— Byllesby County Park to the Cannon of the DNR’s Connect People $1.935 million Valley Trail in Cannon Falls. to the Outdoors Initiative. Development of 7.5 miles on the Gitchi Gami State Trail from Grand Minnesota River Trail, Mankato to Renew Parks and Trails—$15 million Marais to the Cascade River. This St. Peter—$500,000 Renewal, modification or replace- funding request is necessary to match Pre-design and preliminary acqui- ment of buildings and recreational infra- federal funding. Complements past sition connecting Mankato and St. structure in state parks, state recreation state funding. Peter. This trail will also provide con- areas, state trails, small craft harbors/ nections to the Sakatah Singing Hills marinas, fishing pier sites and state for- Glacial Lakes State Trail— State Trail and the Red Jacket Trail. ests. Parks with priority projects include $2 million The local communities have built trail Soudan Underground Mine, William Acquisition and development of connections and trailheads to accom- O’Brien and Sibley. Priority trail project 5 miles of trail extending the Glacial modate the state trail. locations include: Munger, Root River, Lakes State Trail and connecting Sib- Sakatah and Glacial Lakes state trails ley State Park to New London. Project Paul Bunyan State Trail—$200,000 and bike trail. includes a bridge over Hwy. 71. Final development of the Paul Bu- nyan Trail within the city of Bemidji. Goodhue Pioneer State Complements past state funding, local Trail—$1.227 million contributions and federal funding. Land acquisition and development (continued on next page)

275 East Fourth Street, Suite #250, St. Paul, MN 55101 • (651) 726-2457 • www.parksandtrails.org Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota 2012 Bonding Priorities

Develop Camping Opportunities— Regional Priorities $6.1 million Development of up to 24 camper arks and trails in the Metro- cabins that offer reasonably priced politan area provide out- rustic lodging to meet the needs of key P target markets for state park use, such door recreation opportunities as young families and single parents for many Minnesotans “close with children; the development of 48 new state-of-the-art campsites at Split to home.” The Parks & Trails Rock Lighthouse State Park grouped Council supports $25.1 million to accommodate tents, trailers and in bonding for projects in both RV units comfortably with adequate screening and vegetative buffers; and to the Metro and Greater Minne- rehabilitate and redesign aging camping sota, including $10.5 million to facilities and group sites. These funds go to Metro park agencies and also would be used for the development of self-registration plazas and energy $5 million for the DNR Parks conservation projects. and Trails Local and Regional Develop New Recreational Grant Program. Opportunities—$1 million Development of new natural Metropolitan Council Regional of $5 million in bond proceeds for the resource-based outdoor recreation Parks and Trails DNR Parks and Trails Local and Re- facilities that provide easier access to General obligation bond proceeds— gional Grant Program. This program the outdoors. Specific projects include $10.5 million provides a competitive grant process to development of two to three family The Parks & Trails Council sup- local governments for acquisition and friendly archery ranges, two to three ports the request of the Metropolitan development of local and regional parks nature play and skill development Council of $10.5 million in state and trails across the state. areas and 10 or more new fishing piers general obligation bond proceeds to be Redwood County: Chief Sleepy Eye or shore fishing access sites. disbursed to the specific park agencies Loop—$2 million Reconstruct Native Prairie and within the metropolitan area for the Acquire 26 miles of the Chief Forest—$500,000 acquisition, construction and rehabili- Sleepy Eye loop, connecting Redwood Restoration of approximately tation of parks and trails within the Falls, Morgan and Sleepy Eye from 1,000 acres of native prairie and forest metropolitan area. These would match a single landowner and willing seller. communities in Minnesota state parks. $7 million of Metropolitan Council Project complements Renville Coun- Approximately 13,700 acres of the bonds to improve and expand the ty’s Minnesota River Valley National division of Parks and Trails-admin- Metropolitan Regional Park System. Scenic Byway project. istered lands have been identified for Dakota County Cannon River Trail Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional reconstruction to native prairie and Bridge & acquisition—$1.5 million Park—$6.1 million more than 5,000 acres to be restored Fund design and construction of Complete acquisition of 551 acres to native forest communities. 380-foot x 12-foot pedestrian bridge of the 1,200-acre park in Monticello Lake Vermilion State Park over the Cannon River and acquisition Township of Wright County. This Development—$5 million funds for land necessary to land the park includes four undeveloped lakes Construction of new recreational bridge on the southern side of the Can- and has received funding from a facilities at Lake Vermilion State Park non River and connect Lake Byllesby variety of sources. Wright County and and Soudan Underground Mine State Regional Park, Lake Byllesby County the City of Monticello are asking the Park. This appropriation, which would Park and the Cannon Valley Trail. state to match Wright County dollar supplement the $8 million appropriated Regional Parks and Trails for dollar with a $6.1-million bond- in the 2011 bonding bill, provides for ing appropriation to finish the park. the construction of the contact sta- Regional Grant Program—$5 million This regional park is vital to an area of tion and two campgrounds, including The Parks & Trails Council sup- the state experiencing rapid popula- the utilities and pre-design for future ports the Greater Minnesota Parks and tion growth and increased demand for facilities. Trails Coalition’s appropriation request outdoor recreation opportunities.

275 East Fourth Street, Suite #250, St. Paul, MN 55101 • (651) 726-2457 • www.parksandtrails.org