Acquiring, protecting and enhancing critical land for the publics use & benefit

Special Places
PARKS & TRAILS COUNCIL OF MINNESOTA NEWSLETTER
So close, and yet so far. Tat was the feel-
ing about the Glacial Lakes State Trails
proximity to the popular Sibley State Park.
Te 22 miles of paved trail runs through
the quaint artist community of New Lon-
don, just fve, short miles away from Sibley
State Park.
In 2011 park supporters decided that
connecting Glacial Lakes State Trail into
Sibley State Park should be a top priority.
Leading the charge was the volunteer-
based group, Sibley State Park Improve-
ment Association (SSPIA). For the last
three years the group has been steadily
beating the drum and building momentum.
Today it looks like the cards are falling into
place. Community leaders have given ap-
proval, plans are drafted, landowners lined
up, and money appropriated to connect the
trail.
Te project is eliciting comments like this
from Gregg Soupir, the area trails supervi-
sor for the DNR: Te benefts, support
and opportunities of the Glacial Lakes
State Trail extension to Sibley State Park
were thoroughly thought out and planned
by the community and, quite frankly, the
outcomes are astonishing.
Sibley continued on page 6
Inside this issue
New Trail at Crow Wing pg 3
Greater MN update pg 4
State funding for parks pg 5
Banning event recap pg 8
Rustic architecture pg 9
Bike MN recap pg 10
Mississippi River rules pg 11
Land Project Update
Connecting Sibley State Park with a state trail
takes a little help from our friends
FALL (OCTOBER) 2014























































































































































Fall Hiking at Afton State Park
Bicyclists on the Glacial Lakes State Trail in New London where the 5-mile extension will begin to connect to Sibley State Park
Give the Gift of
Membership
Before you know it the giving season will
be upon us. Tis year, share your love of
parks and trails with others. By gifting a
membership in Parks & Trails Council,
you not only support our mission, you
also spread the knowledge about our vital
work in protecting special places. Plus
members receive a years subscription to
Minnesota Trails Magazine.
As a special gift, when you
give a $50 Gift of Member-
ship, it includes the 160-page
guidebook, Best Tent Camp-
ing in Minnesota, featuring:
h Details & maps of 50 campgrounds;
h Tips on the best sites;
h Ratings for beauty, spaciousness,
quiet, safety & security, cleanliness.
Give the Gift of Membership online at:
www.ParksAndTrails.org
Fall (October) 2014 page 2
Tis summer,
Secretary of
the Interior
Sally Jewell
announced
that Congress
appropriated
$43 million in
FY2014 for
state-identifed park and outdoor recre-
ation projects. Of this amount, Minnesota
will receive $758,725.
Te appropriation comes from the Land
and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF),
which was established by Congress in
1964 to ensure access to outdoor recre-
ation resources for present and future
generations.
Te money for this program comes pri-
marily from revenue generated by federal
oil and gas leases on the Outer Continen-
tal Shelf.
Te funds enable state and local govern-
ments to establish everything from base-
ball felds to community green spaces;
to provide public access to rivers, lakes
and other water resources; to expand the
interpretation of historic and cultural
sites; and to conserve natural landscapes
for public outdoor recreation use and
enjoyment.
While this funding is important to Min-
nesotas parks system, it could be doing
much more. Congress has the author-
ity to appropriate up to $900 million in
LWCF funding--that is twenty times
the amount they actually appropriated
this year. Yet, only once in the past 50
years has Congress reached this level of
funding.
LWCF used to make up a much more
signifcant portion of state parks budgets.
Today, states are trying to fll the gap
through other means or by closing parks.
ACTION NEEDED FOR
CONTINUED FUNDING
Tis 50-year program, which has been
used to acquire some 2.6 million acres of
park land in the United States, is set to
expire next year unless Congress takes
action.
President Obama has indicated strong
support for the program with his budget
request that includes a legislative proposal
to establish dedicated mandatory funding
for LWCF programs, with full funding at
$900 million beginning in 2015.
Jewell emphasized that LWCF grants
boost local economies and support jobs
in the outdoor recreation and tour-
ism industries. A recent analysis of the
LWCF found that every $1 invested in
land acquisition generated a $4 return on
the investment for communities.
Investments in our shared outdoor
heritage make sense not only for our land,
water and wildlife, but they make sense
for our economy, added Jewell.
Since the inception of the Fund, over $4
billion has been made available to state
and local governments and over 40,000
projects have been funded in every state
throughout the nation. For more infor-
mation, visit www.nps.gov/lwcf.
Te amount that each state or territory
receives is determined based on a formula
set in the LWCF Act and the Gulf of
Mexico Energy Security Act.
By Mike Tegeder, president
During the autumn it is
great to get out to see the
fall colors. Te DNR pro-
vides a Fall Color Finder
on their website which
updates the color status of
the state parks. And each
week as we go through the season there
is a greater amount on the map identi-
fed as past peak, which is an incentive
to get out to enjoy the leaves before they
are gone for the year. It would be rather
depressing if this was not followed by
winter snow and cross country skiing!
At the Parks & Trails Council we have a
similar concern over past peak regard-
ing our state parks and trails. Each year
more and more land gets developed and
taken out of possible recreational use and
environmental protection. Tankfully the
P&TC staf and members are making a
diference in saving these special places.
Just in this newsletter there are a number
of articles which report on our involve-
ment in making sure that we have not
peaked with regards to enhancing our
parks and building and connecting our
trails. Seasons come and go, but P&TC
has remained constant over the past 60
years. Tank you for your commitment.
From the President
Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota
is a proud member of the
Minnesota Environmental Fund,
a workplace giving option comprised
of 23 environmental nonprofts
working to protect, conserve and
restore Minnesotas environment.
WWW.MNENVIROFUND.ORG
National Legislative News
50-year federal program for parks and trails set
to expire without action
Fall (October) 2014 page 3
Tis past July, the Paul Bunyan State
Trailthe nations longest, continuously
paved trail at over 100 milesbecame six
miles longer thanks in part to the Parks
& Trails Councils eforts. Te newest
segment extends the trail into Crow
Wing State Park.
As many P&TC members know, creating
trails is a lengthy process. Often, many
people own land within the intended trail
corridor and they must all agree to either
sell or allow use of their land for the trail.
Tis trail extension into Crow Wing
State Park was no exception.
Back in 2003 P&TC took the frst step
toward creating this trail extension by
acquiring one of the privately owned par-
cels (67 acres along the Mississippi River)
within the corridor. By 2006 P&TC ac-
quired two more necessary parcels along
the river, completing the land acquisition
phase. All this land was incorporated into
Crow Wing State Park, so in efect it
expanded both the park and the trail. Tis
phase was followed by years of planning
and advocating at the state capitol for the
necessary funds to complete the project.
Yet, on July 27, any sense of fatigue
among the supporters who gathered for
the ribbon-cutting ceremony had been
overcome and replaced with a tremen-
dous sense of accomplishment. Chip
Borkenhagen, a member of the Paul Bun-
yan Trail Association welcomed everyone
who had gathered: a mix of community
leaders, trail advocates, DNR ofcials and
people who simply value the opportunity
to bike. Ten the group began pedaling
together down this new trail segment
that was eleven years in the making.
Our forging the Paul Bunyan Trail has
not been easy, said Borkenhagen. So
when we now have completed the trail,
the celebration is huge. Tis last segment
is seen by many to be one of the more
beautiful segments. Not having to travel
an old rail bed, it canand doesme-
ander through the woods and along a
beautiful part of the river.
Te new six-mile segment is all within
Crow Wing State Park. As the trail
passes outside the park boundaries, it
connects seamlessly with another six
miles of city trail in Baxter. Soon, the
city-managed segment will be branded
as part of the Paul Bunyan State trail and
include way-fnding signs, which are nec-
essary as it does require crossing at trafc
lights and parallels city streets.
Trail Update
11 years in coming, Paul Bunyan fnally reaches Crow Wing State Park
Map shows the new six-mile segment of the Paul Bunyan State Trail, which runs through Crow Wing State Park and Parks &
Trails Councils land projects (pink) that made the trail possible.
>Online Video
Watch the 6-minute video of the new
segment shot by a local trail supporter
www.parksandtrails.org
Fall (October) 2014 page 4
Community leaders in greater Minnesota
continue to make progress in their eforts
to establish a unifed system of regional
parks and trails in Minnesota. Te chal-
lenge is great, in part because there are 80
counties and about 670 cities in greater
Minnesota, each with a diferent ap-
proach to park management. Yet, with the
establishment of the Greater Minnesota
Parks and Trails Commission (GMPTC)
in 2013, a clearer picture is emerging for
what the regional system will look like.
Al Liefort, the chair of the GMPTC,
said nearly 100 applications (see list be-
low) were submitted in June for parks and
trails to be considered as regionally sig-
nifcant. He anticipates the GMPTC will
complete the evaluations by their Oct.
22 meeting. Tose that receive high or
medium rankings on the initial screening
will then be asked to submit master plans
before receiving the ofcial designation.
Te applications are evaluated based
on a set of criteria identifed within the
GMPTCs strategic plan, which was
developed in June 2014. Te criteria con-
sider factors such as, experience quality,
proximity to communities, connectivity,
and natural resource preservation. Not
all these factors receive equal importance
and in fact, the level of importance varies
across the six planning districts.
Applicants were also asked for details
about planned projects for the park or
trail, such as land acquisition, develop-
ment, maintenance or programming. If
the park or trail qualifes for regionally
signifcant then the planned project could
be recommended for state funding start-
ing in 2016.
By January, the GMPTC must make
their frst round of recommendations for
projects in greater Minnesota that should
be funded by the Legacy Amendments
Parks and Trails Fund.
Any park or trail that did not make the
application deadline for this year, will
have more opportunities in the future.
Te plan is for yearly application reviews
with a June 30 deadline.
Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails
Some parks inching closer to ofcially becoming regional
Aitkin Co Aitkin Mississippi Park System
Becker Co Mountain View Rec Area
Beltrami Co Sports Park
Beltrami Co Northland Reg. Shooting Sports Park
Bemidji Paul Bunyan Park
Bemidji South Shore Park
Carlton Co Soo Line Trail
Chatfeld Chosen Valley Regional Park
Chisago Co Sunrise Prairie Trail
Chisago Co Swedish Immigrant Trail
Clay Co Heartland Trail Extension
Cohasset Tioga Mountain Bike Rec Area
Cook Co Mountain Bike Trail
Detroit Lakes City Park and Mile Long Beach
Detroit Lakes People's Park
Detroit Lakes Detroit Mountain Rec Area
Detroit Lakes Multi-Use Trail System
Detroit Lakes Sucker Creek Preserve
Douglas Co Kensington Rune Stone Park
Douglas Co Lake Brophy Park
Duluth (Several expected)
Faribault Straight River Trail Connection
Goodhue Co Lake Byllesby Park
Goodhue Co Cannon Valley Trail
Goodhue Co Hastings to Red Wing Trail
Granite Falls Memorial Park
Houston Houston Trailhead Park
Houston Co Houston Co Trail Connection
Isanti Co Irving and John Anderson Park
Isanti Co Springvale Co Park
Isanti Co Vegsund Family Co Park
Itasca Co Fairgrounds Park / Gunn Park
Itasca Co Bass Lake Park and Campground
Kittson Co Lake Bronson to Museum Trail
La Crescent Wagon Wheel Trail/Regional Trail
Connection
Lake Co ATV Trail
Lake Co Mountain Bike Trail
Lanesboro Lanesboro Arts Campus
Lewiston Lewiston Ponds
Luverne Luverne Loop Trail
Maple Lake Robert Ney Park
Meeker Co Lake Koronis Regional Park
Milaca Milaca Regional Park
Mille Lacs Co Soo Line Trail South
Mille Lacs Co Plains to Port Trail
Mille Lacs Co Great Northern Trail
Monticello Mississippi Great River Trailway
Moorhead Moorhead River Corridor Trail
Moorhead M.B. Johnson Park
Morrison Co Pinehurst Co Park
Morrison Co Soo Line Recreational Trail
New Ulm Minnesota River Parkway
Nisswa/Moore
Consulting
Paul Bunyan Connector Trail
North Country Trail North Country Trail
Northfeld Northfeld/Dundas Regional Park
Olmsted Co Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo
Princeton Riverside Park and Riebe Park
Redwood Co Plum Creek Park
Redwood Falls Alexander Ramsey Park
Renville Co Beaver Falls Co Park
Renville Co Vicksburg Co Park
Renville Co Skalbekken Co Park
Rochester Cascade Lake Park
Rochester Gamehaven Park
Rochester Indian Heights Park
Rochester Quarry Hill Park
Rushford Bluf Tracks
Sandstone Robinson Park
Sartell Sauk River Regional Park
Sartell Pinecone Central Park
St. Cloud Beaver Island Regional Trail
Stearns Co Dairyland Trail
Stearns Co Mississippi Co Park
Stearns Co Rockville Co Park
Stearns Co Lake Wobegon Trail
Stearns Co Quarry Park
Stearns Co Warren Lake Co Park
Stearns Co Kraemer Lake-Wildwood Co Park
Superior Hiking
Trail Ass'n
Superior Hiking Trail
Upper MN River
RDC
Minnesota River Trail
Winona Winona Aghaming Park
Wright Co Clearwater/Pleasant Park
Wright Co Robert Ney Memorial Park
Wright Co Bertram Chain of Lakes Reg. Park
Yellow Medicine Co Timm Park
Lead Applicant Park or Trail Name Lead Applicant Park or Trail Name Lead Applicant Park or Trail Name
Applications for Regional Designation
For more information, visit
www.legacy.leg.mn/gmrptc
Fall (October) 2014 page 5
2015 Legislative Session Prep
State funding for Minnesotas parks and trails lags, will be key in 2015
Te 2015 legislative session, which starts
in January, is an important one because
the legislature will pass a two-year budget
that determines how much money the
DNR receives to operate and maintain
parks and trails on a day-to-day basis. We
are preparing now to ensure parks and
trails have a strong voice in 2015.
Often, when you hear debate on the state
budget, you hear a lot of talk about the
general fund. Te general fund is the
states main checking account; it collects
the general income and sales tax you pay,
and its the pot of money that legislators
are free to spend as they think best.
For state parks and trails, the general fund
is a critical source of revenue, as it ensures
these places remain open and maintained
on a daily basis. State parks and trails also
receive money from elsewheremost
signifcantly from entrance and camping
feesbut the general fund has always
been the largest source of money for day-
to-day operations.
In recent years, the state parks and trails
general fund appropriation has been hit
hard by economic recession: frst in 2003
and again in 2009-2011. Funding has
recovered some, but not enough to ofset
losses. As a result, general fund spending
on state parks and trails has been largely
stagnant for 15 years. Demands of infa-
tion make the budget tighter with each
passing year: less money to sealcoat pave-
ment on trails, less money to clean and
maintain campgrounds, and less money
for naturalist programs. As a percent-
age of Minnesotas overall general fund
spending, state parks and trails today
receive roughly half what they received in
the 1990s.
When we crunch the numbers, Minne-
sotas state parks and trails are a bargain.
For starters, they are extremely popular:
parks receive 9 million visits every year;
many more hike, bike and ski along state
trails; and half of tourists say parks,
trails, and camping is one of the most
appealing descriptions of Minnesota. In
order to accommodate all those visi-
tors, preserve the natural environment of
nearly 250,000 acres, and maintain close
to 1,200 miles of trails, Minnesota spent
$20 million from the general fund last
year. In return, state park visitors gener-
ated $372 million in business sales across
the state.
Spending on state parks and trails ac-
counts for only one tenth of one percent
of Minnesotas general fund spending. In
other words, for every $100 you pay in
taxes, state parks and trails only receive
11 cents. When you add it all up, only $4
from an average Minnesota tax return is
spent on state parks and trails.
State parks and trails deserve a little
more. Were still working out the details,
but we estimate that if another $2 per
Minnesotan was spent on state parks and
trails we could recoup the losses of the
last 15 years. Tats the price of a single
cup of cofee.
You can help P&TC advocate for another
cup of cofee in 2015 by signing up to
receive news, alerts, and opportunities to
take action with our Action Team e-news
at www.ParksAndTrails.org
Putting Minnesotas general fund spending into perspective
Te Old
Standard...
Through the 1990s, general
fund spending on state
parks and trails steadily
increased on par with other
state spending.
2010 2000 1990
Catching back up...
If the legislature committed to spending just a few extra dollars
on state parks and trails, we could catch up with historical levels.
Getting Left Behind...
Beginning around 2000, general fund spending on state parks and
trails stagnated while other state spending continued to rise.
The AVERAGE MINNESOTANS
annual contribution to the general fund
Only F OUR
DOLLARS
is spent on
STATE PARKS & TRAILS
Would catch us up to
historical funding levels
Thats just one
cup of cofee
79% Growth
73% Growth
70% Growth
2% Growth
General fund spending on
ALL STATE PROGRAMS
General fund spending on
STATE PARKS & TRAILS
$3,600
TWO
EXTRA
DOLLARS
Fall (October) 2014 page 6
Parks & Trails Council (P&TC) is play-
ing a key role by acquiring 153 acres at
the edge of the park. While this is just
one parcel among the handful needed
for the trail project, it is a key one. Te
SSPIA came to us because it was clear
that without this land the trail wouldnt
happen, plus it would be a great addi-
tion to the park, yet the DNR was not in
a position to acquire it then, said Brett
Feldman, executive director of P&TC.
Te land is currently owned by a couple
who long ago stopped farming the parcel
and enrolled it into the federal Conserva-
tion Reserve Program. Today those years
of soil stabilization have made the land
reminiscent of the regions pre-settlement
landscape: undulating hilly grassland.
Park manager, Jack Nelson, explained
that in the coming years the park would
like to restore native prairie plants on this
land. It should be a relatively easy process
since it is already nicely stabilized. He
also added that this land is part of the
viewshed from atop Mount Tom, one of
the most popular places in the park.
Te park is ecstatic to be the benef-
ciary of the friends groups eforts, said
Jack Nelson, Sibley State Park manager.
Along with that of the Parks & Trails
Councils, of course, he added.
Te SSPIA, which was established in
1935, has built up strong community
support over the years. Among their
many accomplishments include helping
to secure a Veteran Conservation Corps
camp, which constructed all of the parks
historic buildings and more recently in-
stalling a solar panel water system in the
primitive group camp.
Tis is one of the higher profle projects
the group has worked on. We stepped
out of our comfort zone: outside the
parks statutory boundaries, said SSPIA
member Dave Lais. We met with neigh-
bors, knowing not all were guaranteed to
be supportive, plus county ofcials, DNR,
legislators. In 2013 Erpelding testifed at
a state legislative committee, along with
Beth Fisher of the Willmar Lakes Area
Convention & Visitors Bureau. Tey also
brought along the mayor of Spicer and
ofcials from New London and Kan-
diyohi County to show support for the
project.
Te friends group laid the foundation
in the community; they were right out in
front, said Jack Nelson.
Sibley is among the top ten most-visited
parks and many of those visitors are just
rearing to go for a bike ride. You see lots
of vehicles with bikes hanging on them,
said Lais. Currently, those riders only
have two miles of paved bicycle trail to
use in the park.
Visitors wont be the only ones to beneft
from the trail connection. Te school in
New London has already purchased 82
bicycles so teachers can pedal with their
kids out to fun and exciting outdoor
learning opportunities along the trail.
Friends groups like the SSPIA are a
powerful force for parks and trails. In
fact, seeing this potential, P&TC recently
added emphasis on helping to build the
capacity of these groups. Groups like this
are an inspiration for us and we hope to
ensure all parks and trails have dedicated
groups, so we can make a statewide im-
pact, said P&TC executive director Brett
Feldman.
Te trail is close to becoming reality, but
there is still signifcant work to be done.
Te area trails supervisor for the DNR,
Gregg Soupir, mentioned that over half
a dozen landowners will need to provide
land or easements within the corridor.
Sibley land project to connect Glacial Lakes Trail
continued from page 1
The rolling hills on the 153-acre parcel that Parks & Trails Council is acquiring for Sibley State Park to connect to a newly planned segment of the Glacial Lakes State Trail.
Fall (October) 2014 page 7
In Memoriam
Horse Trails Champion Irven (Irv) Parker
dies at 75
On July 4, 2014 a long-time horse trail
advocate, Irv Parker, died. Parker was the
president of the Minnesota Trail Riders
Association until 2012. He continued to
be active with the MTRA until his death.
Parker was a reliable presence during
Parks & Trails Councils annual Day on
the Hill event where groups are encour-
aged to meet with legislators to discuss
the importance of parks and trails.
Parker was born in South
Dakota in 1938. During his
time as president, the MTRA
advocated for more horse
trails in Minnesota and
facilitated discussions on
creating multiple use trails.
Irv Parker (2nd from left) helping cut the ribbon on the new Funk
Ford Bridge in the Zumbro Bottoms Area of the R.J. Dorer State
Forest. The old bridge had been washed out by a food.
But he is optimistic and adds, another
truly amazing prospect of this proposed
trail route is the support and verbal will-
ingness of the landowners to sell property
for the trail right of wayTis kind of
support and cooperation from public and
private landholders is a rare commodity
in rural Minnesotas agriculture-based
communities and really demonstrates a
recognition and high value of this trail
connecting parks, trails, schools and com-
munities.
Te hope is to have all the necessary
land available by next year, including the
153-acres that P&TC is acquiring for
the park. Fortunately, one of the hurdles
for this project was overcome in 2013,
when the Legislature voted to expand
the parks statutory boundaries to include
this 153-acre parcel. Tis efort was once
again helped by the SSPIA. One of the
frst questions legislators would ask when
we met with them is, have you gotten the
support of the county and township, said
Lais. So, those years of building goodwill
paid of.
Another fortunate turn of events was that
the 2014 legislature fnally funded a series
of trail projects that had been awaiting
funding for four years. Te Glacial Lakes
State Trail connection to Sibley was
included and received $1.299 million.
Glacial Lakes State Trail Extension
New London to Sibley State Park
P&TC land
project site
Map source: DNRs Amendment to the Glacial Lakes State Trail Master Plan,
available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/input /mgmtplans/parks_trails/index.html
Fall (October) 2014 page 8
Parks & Trails Council hosted a group of
Magney Circle level supporters on Sept.
13 to tour the land we recently acquired
for Banning State Park. A project that
was made possible by member support.
Te event included talks from our part-
ners along with demonstrations on climb-
ing and bouldering from the Minnesota
Climbers Association.
Te event highlighted how this land
project brought together supporters from
various perspectives: a) climbers who
fnd inspiration from climbing here, b)
city council members who appreciate the
tourism from climbing, c) park manag-
ers who are working to encourage young
people to use parks, and d) P&TC mem-
bers who care about preserving special
places.
Te Sandstone city administrator Sam
Grifth was able to talk about the citys
experience with how climbers helped to
reinvigorate Robinson City Park, which is
located directly across the river from the
recently acquired land at Banning State
Park.
Grifth explained that when DNR staf
asked about the impact of climbers on
a park, I didnt hesitate to tell them
that these are the type of users you want
in your parkthey are conservation
minded...Its not uncommon to see them
out there picking up trash left by other
users.
Te DNR was convinced and have now
amended the Banning State Park man-
agement plan to allow climbing and boul-
dering in designated areas. Sometimes
citizens need help to inspire the DNR to
try new things and we were happy to help
bring these various groups together to
discuss climbing in the park, said P&TC
executive director Brett Feldman.
Pat Arndt, the communications director
for the DNR division of parks and trails
explained that this land project and sub-
sequent climbing provision is something
that will beneft future generations. Arndt
sees this project as part of the solution
for the challenge of getting young people
into state parks because climbing is a
growing sport among young people.
Te DNR has already begun encourag-
ing climbing with their I Can Climb
programs in parks such as Interstate and
Blue Mounds.
As part of the tour, P&TC supporters
were given an opportunity to try boulder-
ing themselves, on the recently acquired
land. It was so great to see those young
people being focused and challenged,
said P&TC executive director Brett
Feldman. Tis is why we do our work
of protecting special places--so future
generations can experience and appreciate
them.
Learning to boulder with help from the Minnesota Climbers
Association members, at the land P&TC recently acquired at
Banning State Park.
Jef Engel from the Minnesota Climbers Association showing Parks & Trails Council supporters the rocks at Robinson City Park
in Sandstone, which is directly across the river from the land P&TC acquired at Banning State Park.
Event Recap: Magney Mingle
Bouldering at Banning State Park
Thank you to our corporate & business sponsors
www.midwestmtn.com
Minnesota
TRAILS
A Parks & Trails Journal / MnTrails.com
www.mntrails.com
Fall (October) 2014 page 9
Te characteristic, rustic architecture
that we see featured in many State
Parks today would likely not have
been developed had the nation not
sunk into the Great Depression in
the 1930s.
On Aug. 7, Rolf Anderson gave a pre-
sentation to a group of Parks & Trails
Council supporters on the history and
philosophy of rustic architecture within
Minnesota State Parks. Anderson gained
extensive knowledgeable on the topic as
he prepared the ofcial nominations to
the National Historic Register for Min-
nesotas State Parks.
Anderson explained that the buildings
created during this era (1933-1942),
which feature remarkable craftsmanship,
were made possible because the federal
governments Civilian Conservation
Corps program. It was unprecedented
and provided ample, cheapyet grate-
fullaborers to develop parks. Young
men lived and worked within military-
style conditions within the parks and
constructed not only the iconic buildings
but also trails, campgrounds, and roads
and planted trees and other restoration
work.
In addition to this ample labor supply,
the CCC program also ensured that
projects were top quality by enlisting
professional planners from the National
Park Service to oversee work. A regional
NPS ofce was established in St. Paul.
Te NPS applied the same philosophy
that had guided their work in national
parks, to their work in state parks. As
such, a distinct mark was made on Min-
nesota State Parks with the construction
of buildings designed to harmonize with
the natural environment. Tis rustic
architecture, as it was called, sought to
incorporate the natural world into the
building with attention paid to using
local materials and handcrafted details.
In the north this meant using large, pine
logs while in southern Minnesota rocks
are often the main feature.
Anderson said that the construction of
Itasca State Parks Old Timers Cabin
entailed men hiking long hours in the
woods searching for precisely the right
logs that would ft together in the puzzle
of crisscrossing logs only four high. It
was unique to have that much labor
available for such a project.
Te NPS guided not only the style of
architecture in state parks during this
era, but also the planning for land use
within a park and landscaping around
the buildings. Prior to this, many visitors
to the state parks complained that the
parks were largely undefned spaces.
Jay Cooke State Park exemplifes the
profound infuence that this eras plan-
ning had on the park experience. Previ-
ously visitors were scattered along the
entire seven-mile park drive. However,
with NPS designs that thoughtfully
guided visitors toward a newly construct-
ed swinging bridge and River Inn with
landscaping, trails and roads, peoples use
of the park became much more con-
centrated to this one area. Tis in turn
spares a larger amount of the park for a
solitary experience and wildlife habitat.
Tank you to all our Magney Circle
members for your commitment to our
mission.
Event Recap: Magney Mingle
Exploring the philosophy of rustic architecture in Minnesotas state parks
Photos top to bottom: Blueprints from a maintenance building
at Itasca State Park done in rustic architecture; Old Timers Cabin
built 4-logs high at Itasca State Park, Shelter at Gooseberry Falls
State Park.
Named in honor of one of P&TCs
founders, Judge C. R. Magney,
Magney Circle members play a critical
role in supporting P&TCs mission
with a generous contribution of $500
or more each year. To join, visit
www.parksandtrails.org/join_donate
Magney

Circle
Fall (October) 2014 page 10
We made it to ten years! Te event that
started as a fun idea presented by former
congressman and honorary P&TC board
member, David Minge, has turned into
an annual highlight for Parks & Trails
Council and its members.
Tis years ride, which happened over
Labor Day weekend, was capped at 75
riders who rode a total of 164 miles over
three days. We were based at Jay Cooke
State Park.
Highlights from the programs included:
Te naturalist at Jay Cooke State
Park regaled us with the harrowing
story of enduring the foods of 2012;
Tour of, Food Farm, an organic,
community supported agriculture
farm run by Janaki Fisher-Merrit;
Tour of the numerous historic build-
ings such as an 1897 schoolhouse, a
working four mill and sauna at the
Esko Historical Village;
Tour of the Lake Superior College
Emergency Training Center with its
burnt out cars that students train on
extracting victims;
Mahtowa Rat Rod Rendezvous
where hobbyists gather to showcase
their creatively retroftted cars;
Willard Munger Inn where we
learned about the work of the late
Rep. Willard Munger from his son.
Plus much more.
Te event is made possible by numer-
ous dedicated volunteers. David Minge
has dedicated ten years to leading this
event, not only as the afable master of
ceremony, but in the endless hours of
fnding routes and searching out interest-
ing stories from local people. Tank you
David Minge. Tis year Dan Mettner also
put in countless hours mapping the route.
Tank you to everyone!
P&TC event recap
Tenth Annual Bike Minnesota at Jay Cooke
BIG THANK YOU TO OUR
VOLUNTEERS & PRESENTERS!
Volunteers
Carlton Bike Rental
& Repair
Keith Fester
Davis Helberg
Marlys Johnson
Richard Keir
Arol McCaslin
Dan Mettner
David Minge
Dr. Bob Nesheim
Peggy Prowe
Presenters
Esko Historical
Society
Willis Finfrock
Janaki Fisher-
Merritt
Kristine Hiller
Rob Little
Bill & Susan
Majewski
Will Munger
Ken Nynas
Rachael Olesiak
Barbara Sommers
Tom Urbanski
Fall (October) 2014 page 11
In recent years, the Mississippi River
has undergone a remarkable revival with
communities embracing it as a hub for
outdoor recreation and cultural activities.
Tis is especially true along the portion of
the river that runs through Minnesotas
metropolitan area. Tis transformation is
largely due to eforts in the 1970s that led
to the most urban segment of the river
being designated as a critical areathe
only such one in the state.
Today, the fate of this river revival is in
question as the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) is updating the rules
governing land use within the Mississippi
River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA).
Te MRCCA runs from the city of Day-
ton in Anoka County to just south of the
city of Hastings (see map). In June 2014
the DNR released a preliminary draft of
the rule changes, which resulted in several
environmental organizations expressing
concern that rules are being loosened.
Parks & Trails Council submitted a letter
to the DNR on Sept. 15 supporting the
detailed concerns expressed by our com-
munity partners, Friends of the Parks and
Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County
and Friends of the Mississippi River.
Tis area is signifcant to the P&TC
because it is home to numerous parks
and trails: Fort Snelling State Park, Coon
Rapids Dam Regional Park, Spring Lake
Park Reserve, and Mississippi River Trail
to name a few. In fact, the entire MRC-
CA became a unit of the National Park
Service in 1988 when the U.S. Congress
designated the area as a National River
Recreation Area.
In the past, MRCCA regulations have
called out parks, trails, and open spaces
for special conservation considerations.
Te proposed updates remove these, so
that local government plans no longer
have to maximize the creation of park-
land and any negative impacts to parks
and trails will not need to be considered
for new development. In addition, the
proposed rules would no longer require
communities to dedicate land for parks
when creating private developments
within the MRCCA. Such a change
would be a backward step in all the prog-
ress that has been made to connect people
with the river through outdoor recreation
and protecting its natural character.
Te DNR was ofcially accepting
comments on their draft rules for the
MRCCA through Sept. 30. Tese com-
ments, which P&TCs contributed to,
will inform the fnal draft that is antici-
pated to be released in the winter/spring
of 2015. Upon release, the public will be
asked to comment again before the rules
are ofcially adopted.
For more information about the MRC-
CA rules changes, visit the DNR plan-
ning website where you will fnd FAQs, a
rulemaking schedule, and the full draft of
rules at www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/rules/
mrcca
Policy Update
Rule changes for metro-area of Mississippi River could weaken parks
Mississippi River Corridor Critical Areas boundary and current districts
Special Places is
published three times a year by the
Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota
Lisa Filter, editor
Parks & Trails Council of MN
275 E. 4th St., Suite #250
St. Paul, MN 55101-1626
(651) 726-2457 or (800) 944-0707
www.parksandtrails.org
Non-Proft Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities, MN
Permit #4936
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Mike Tegeder, President
Julie Gugin, Vice President
Robert O. Erickson, Treasurer
Timothy Eschweiler, Secretary
Kathy Bonnifeld, Director at large
Andrew Brantingham, Director at large
Mark Larson, Director at large
Tom Pavey, Director at large
Directors
Dorothy Anderson, Ph.D.
Richard Dick Brainerd
Kathy Connelly
Gary Connett
Anne Flueckiger
Vernica Jaralambides
Bruce Johnson
Paul Karazija, M.D.
Emily Nesvold
John Oldendorf
Tom Stoa
Honorary Directors
Rollis Bishop
Sen. David Durenberger
Tomas T. Dwight
Martin Kellogg
David Minge
Mike Prichard
Peter Seed
Staff & Consultants
Joe Bagnoli
Government Relations Consultant
Vicki Dunlop
Database Administrator
Brett Feldman
Executive Director
Lisa Filter
External Relations Director
Beth Hynes
Database Administrator
Jess Mann
Administrative Assistant
Andrew Oftedal
Research & Policy Specialist
Sarah Psick
Government Relations Consultant
Steve Young
Land Acquisition Consultant
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