P&TCmakes its frst land

purchase: the only sectionof

undeveloped, sandy beach
alongthe St. Croix River, which
leads tothe establishment of
AftonState Park.
1968
M
innesota is renowned for the
amazing natural resources that
have been preserved throughout the
state for everyone to enjoy. While
mother nature played the extraordinary
role of creating these features, it has
been the eforts of dedicated citizens
that ensured they were protected as
parks and trails.
Tis year Parks & Trails Council
celebrates 60 years of preserving land
for parks and trails and providing an
independent, forthright voice to express
the needs of our states system. Over
the years, these eforts have resulted
in the establishment of numerous new
parks and trails, the acquisition of criti-
cal parcels within parks and trails, and
the necessary appropriations from the
state legislature to care for our parks
and trails.
While originally limited in member-
ship to 16 people, today P&TC has
over 3,000 members. Tese members
provide the most signifcant source
of revenue for the organization, and
ensure that these places are protected
for future generations.
parks & trai ls counci l of mn www. p a r k s a nd t r a i l s . o r g parks & trai ls counci l of mn www. p a r k s a nd t r a i l s . o r g
Afton State Park (established through eforts spearheaded by P&TC in 1968)
Itasca establishedas
the frst State Park
inMinnesota.
1935
State Parks begintobe
managedas a division.
Prior tothis they wereunder the
forestry divisionandlargely man-
agedby local advisorycommittees.
9 newstate parks createdwith
one omnibus bill draftedby
P&TC:

Banning, Glacial Lakes, LakeLouise, Maplewood,
Great River Blufs, RiceLake, SakatahLake, Soudan
UndergroundMine, Upper Sioux Agency.
________
Nowlets buildtrails!

P&TCandspearheads eforts tocreate
foot, horse, cycleandcanoetrails.
1963
Six decades of P& TC
Judge C. R. Magney
Founder of P&TC (1883-1962)
If there is one person who could be credited with
paving the way for citizens voices in parks and
trails, it is Judge Magney.
Te man people called Mr. North Shore had a
profound appreciation for the natural beauty of
Minnesotas natural areas.
As Mayor of Duluth (1917-1920) he immersed
himself in the citys parks planning. Later, he
became a Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Upon retiring he dedicated himself to sharing the knowledge and skills he gained
to preserve natural areas as parks for future generations. As he put it, Our state
parks are every mans country estate. Having earned the respect of legislators
and government leaders, his insights were heeded and numerous parks owe
their establishment to the founder of P&TC, Judge Magney. His philosophy of
preservation became the driving force of P&TC, which continues today.
Newinnovation
of nature trails and
naturalist-ledhikes
become part of the
state park experience.
Late 1940s
1954
P&TCestablishedas a statewide
citizens advisory committee.
This occurs at theurgingof statepark director U.W.
Helladuringameetingof ItascaStatePark As-
sociation. At this timeP&TCis calledtheMinnesota
Council of StateParks. Key decisionmadefor P&TC
tobeanindependent, non-government entity.
1967
First state trail established: Casey Jones StateTrail.
________
P&TCforms a frst-of-its-kind
foundationtoacquire landfor parks.
1983
Landmark case for rails-to-trails
wonby P&TCandDNR.
This caseinvolved10miles of abandonedrailroadthat
abuttinglandowners argued shouldrevert totheir
ownership, but theSupremeCourt ruledmay beused
for theGateway StateTrail.
The unique BanningState Park
boulders are saved.
InpartnershipwiththeMinnesotaClimbers
Association, P&TCacquires 108acres alongthe
KettleRiver inBanningStatePark, andhelps make
Banningtheffthstatepark toallowclimbing.
60thAnniversary of P&TC.
Todate, P&TChas over 3,000members andhas helpedacquirenearly
11,000acres andhelpedensureall parks andtrails arecaredfor.

The leaders of Parks &

Trails Council of Minnesota
have always beenand
now, especially, are
relied upon by policy
makers as the lead voice
for parks and trails.

~Former Senator Dave Durenberger

(from P&TCs 2014 Annual Dinner)
1891
Minnesotas tallest waterfall saved
tobecome the heart of Grand
Portage State Park.
This efort beganayear earlier whenP&TCsuccess-
fully launchedacampaigntoacquiretheinitial 260
acres andthenadvocatedfor theparks establishment.
1988
1996
P&TChas 1,000
members.
GoldRock Point is acquired,
savingthe iconic viewfrom
Split Rock Lighthouse State
Park.
This efort beganwhenP&TCsuccessfully
launchedacampaigntoraise$1millionand
mobilizednecessary public support toapprove
this additiontothestatepark.
1997
2008
Minnesotans approve the
Legacy Amendment.
2013
2014
Judge Magneys philosophy
continues to drive P&TCs
work today. Te Magney
Circle is comprised of
individuals who are inspired
and committed enough
in this grand pursuit of
preserving land for future
generations to contribute
$500 or more annually
to P&TC. Tis support
continues the legacy
established 60 years ago by
this Giant of the North.
To become a Magney Circle
member, please visit
ParksAndTrails.org