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Parks and Trails Legacy Grant Program - GMRPTC managed

To provide grants to local units of government to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance outside of the seven county metropolitan area. Funding for this grant program is from the Parks and Trails Fund created by the Minnesota Legislature from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment passed by the voters in 2008. Beginning July 1, 2015 (fiscal year 2016), the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) assumed management of reviewing and awarding these grants. That is, they became 'pass-through' grants with DNR staff providing administrative support to GMRPTC only.

Program Objectives

This project focuses on increasing participation in outdoor recreation by: -Providing a welcoming environment including designing, developing and updating facilities to support a wide variety of outdoor experiences and activities and facilities that can be readily adapted to new and emerging activities that meet the changing needs and wants of Minnesotans. -Creating programs and special events to attract first-time visitors to Minnesota state parks, trails and other Minnesota DNR-managed areas and providing a quality experience so that these new visitors will return —and introduce others to outdoor recreation. -Planning and executing connection plans that inform, persuade and remind Minnesota residents and tourists to visit Minnesota state parks, trails and other outdoor recreation areas managed by the Minnesota DNR. These strategies engage and motivate the target audience to become involved in outdoor recreation. -Ensuring easy access to parks and trails and amenities that Minnesotans of all abilities can use and afford. About the Issue In Minnesota and across the nation, outdoor recreation participation has been declining on a per capita (i.e., per unit of population or per person) basis. A primary reason for this decline is that adults under the age of 45 and families with children are not participating at the same levels as in the past. As the population ages, becomes more urban and more diverse, demands for recreational opportunities will continue to change as well.

Status: In Progress

Start Date: 07/01/2015

Active Projects: (23) Active Projects

Completed Projects: (4) Completed Projects

Program Website / How To Apply:

Funding

FY2022

Start Date: 07/01/2021	End Date: 06/30/2024
Funding Amount: $10,857,000.00	Current Expenditures:
Primary Funding Source: Parks & Trails Fund
Statutory Reference: M.L. 2021, First Special Session, Ch. 1, Art. 3, Sec. 3(b)
Appropriation Language: $10,857,000 the first year and $11,074,000 the second year are for grants for parks and trails of regional significance outside the seven-county metropolitan area under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.535. The grants awarded under this paragraph must be based on the lists of recommended projects submitted to the legislative committees under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536, subdivision 10, from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission established under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536. Grants funded under this paragraph must support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance that meet the applicable definitions and criteria for regional parks and trails contained in the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Strategic Plan adopted by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission on April 22, 2015. Grant recipients identified under this paragraph must submit a grant application to the commissioner of natural resources. Up to 2.5 percent of the appropriation may be used by the commissioner for the actual cost of issuing and monitoring the grants for the commission. Of the amount appropriated, $456,000 the first year and $456,000 the second year are for the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission to carry out its duties under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536, including the continued development of a statewide system plan for regional parks and trails outside the seven-county metropolitan area.

FY2021

Start Date: 07/01/2020	End Date: 06/30/2023
Funding Amount: $10,139,000.00	Current Expenditures:
Primary Funding Source: Parks & Trails Fund
Statutory Reference: M.L. 2019, First Special Session, Ch. 2, Art. 3, Sec. 3(b)
Appropriation Language: $9,910,000 the first year and $10,139,000 the second year are for grants for parks and trails of regional significance outside the seven-county metropolitan area under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.535. The grants awarded under this paragraph must be based on the lists of recommended projects submitted to the legislative committees under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536, subdivision 10, from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission established under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536. Grants funded under this paragraph must support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance that meet the applicable definitions and criteria for regional parks and trails contained in the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Strategic Plan adopted by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission on April 22, 2015. Grant recipients identified under this paragraph must submit a grant application to the commissioner of natural resources. Up to 2.5 percent of the appropriation may be used by the commissioner for the actual cost of issuing and monitoring the grants for the commission. Of the amount appropriated, $446,000 the first year and $456,000 the second year are for the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission to carry out its duties under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536, including the continued development of a statewide system plan for regional parks and trails outside the seven-county metropolitan area.

FY2020

Start Date: 07/01/2019	End Date: 06/30/2022
Funding Amount: $9,910,000.00	Current Expenditures:
Primary Funding Source: Parks & Trails Fund
Statutory Reference: M.L. 2019, First Special Session, Ch. 2, Art. 3, Sec. 3(b)
Appropriation Language: $9,910,000 the first year and $10,139,000 the second year are for grants for parks and trails of regional significance outside the seven-county metropolitan area under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.535. The grants awarded under this paragraph must be based on the lists of recommended projects submitted to the legislative committees under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536, subdivision 10, from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission established under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536. Grants funded under this paragraph must support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance that meet the applicable definitions and criteria for regional parks and trails contained in the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Strategic Plan adopted by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission on April 22, 2015. Grant recipients identified under this paragraph must submit a grant application to the commissioner of natural resources. Up to 2.5 percent of the appropriation may be used by the commissioner for the actual cost of issuing and monitoring the grants for the commission. Of the amount appropriated, $446,000 the first year and $456,000 the second year are for the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission to carry out its duties under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536, including the continued development of a statewide system plan for regional parks and trails outside the seven-county metropolitan area.

FY2019

Start Date: 07/01/2018	End Date: 06/30/2021
Funding Amount: $9,445,000.00	Current Expenditures:
Primary Funding Source: Parks & Trails Fund
Statutory Reference: M.L. 2017, Regular Session, Ch. 91, Art. 3, Sec. 3(b)
Appropriation Language: $8,293,000 the first year and $9,445,000 the second year are for grants for parks and trails of regional significance outside the seven-county metropolitan area under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.535. The grants awarded under this paragraph shall be based on the lists of recommended projects submitted to the legislative committees under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536, subdivision 10, from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission established under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536. Grants funded under this paragraph must support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance that meet the applicable definitions and criteria for regional parks and trails contained in the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Strategic Plan adopted by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission on April 22, 2015. Grant recipients identified under this paragraph must submit a grant application to the commissioner of natural resources. Up to 2.5 percent of the appropriation may be used by the commissioner for the actual cost of issuing and monitoring the grants for the commission. Of the amount appropriated, $424,000 the first year and $399,000 the second year are for the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission to carry out its duties under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536, including the continued development of a statewide system plan for regional parks and trails outside the seven-county metropolitan area.

FY2018

Start Date: 07/01/2017	End Date: 06/30/2020
Funding Amount: $8,293,000.00	Current Expenditures: $207,325.00
Primary Funding Source: Parks & Trails Fund
Statutory Reference: M.L. 2017, Regular Session, Ch. 91, Art. 3, Sec. 3(b)
Appropriation Language: $8,293,000 the first year and $9,445,000 the second year are for grants for parks and trails of regional significance outside the seven-county metropolitan area under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.535. The grants awarded under this paragraph shall be based on the lists of recommended projects submitted to the legislative committees under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536, subdivision 10, from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission established under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536. Grants funded under this paragraph must support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance that meet the applicable definitions and criteria for regional parks and trails contained in the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Strategic Plan adopted by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission on April 22, 2015. Grant recipients identified under this paragraph must submit a grant application to the commissioner of natural resources. Up to 2.5 percent of the appropriation may be used by the commissioner for the actual cost of issuing and monitoring the grants for the commission. Of the amount appropriated, $424,000 the first year and $399,000 the second year are for the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission to carry out its duties under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536, including the continued development of a statewide system plan for regional parks and trails outside the seven-county metropolitan area.

FY2017

Start Date: 07/01/2016	End Date: 06/30/2019
Funding Amount: $9,033,000.00	Current Expenditures: $225,825.00
Primary Funding Source: Parks & Trails Fund
Statutory Reference: M.L. 2015, First Special Session, Ch. 2, Art. 3, Sec. 3(b)
Appropriation Language: $8,618,000 the first year and $9,033,000 the second year are for grants for parks and trails of regional significance outside the seven-county metropolitan area under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.535. The grants must be based on the recommendations to the commissioner from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission established under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536. The second year appropriation in this paragraph includes money for: a grant to the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority to design, engineer, acquire right-of-way, and construct a segment of the Mesabi Trail from Embarrass to near the intersection of County Road 26, Whalston Road, and Trunk Highway 135 toward Tower; and up to $400,000 for a grant to the city of La Crescent to design, engineer, acquire right-of-way, and construct a segment of the Wagon Wheel Trail. Grants funded under this paragraph must support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance that meet the applicable definitions and criteria for regional parks and trails contained in the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Strategic Plan adopted by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission on April 22, 2015. Grant recipients identified under this paragraph must submit a grant application to the commissioner of natural resources. Up to 2.5 percent of the appropriation may be used by the commissioner for the actual cost of issuing and monitoring the grants for the commission. Of the amount appropriated, $356,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $362,000 in fiscal year 2017 are for the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission to carry out its duties under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536, including the continued development of a statewide system plan for regional parks and trails outside the seven-county metropolitan area.

FY2016

Start Date: 07/01/2015	End Date: 06/30/2018
Funding Amount: $8,618,000.00	Current Expenditures: $215,450.00
Primary Funding Source: Parks & Trails Fund
Statutory Reference: M.L. 2015, First Special Session, Ch. 2, Art. 3, Sec. 3(b)
Appropriation Language: $8,618,000 the first year and $9,033,000 the second year are for grants for parks and trails of regional significance outside the seven-county metropolitan area under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.535. The grants must be based on the recommendations to the commissioner from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission established under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536. The second year appropriation in this paragraph includes money for: a grant to the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority to design, engineer, acquire right-of-way, and construct a segment of the Mesabi Trail from Embarrass to near the intersection of County Road 26, Whalston Road, and Trunk Highway 135 toward Tower; and up to $400,000 for a grant to the city of La Crescent to design, engineer, acquire right-of-way, and construct a segment of the Wagon Wheel Trail. Grants funded under this paragraph must support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance that meet the applicable definitions and criteria for regional parks and trails contained in the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Strategic Plan adopted by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission on April 22, 2015. Grant recipients identified under this paragraph must submit a grant application to the commissioner of natural resources. Up to 2.5 percent of the appropriation may be used by the commissioner for the actual cost of issuing and monitoring the grants for the commission. Of the amount appropriated, $356,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $362,000 in fiscal year 2017 are for the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission to carry out its duties under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.536, including the continued development of a statewide system plan for regional parks and trails outside the seven-county metropolitan area.

Indicator: Number of plans developed

Indicator: Acres of regional park acquired

Indicator: Number of regional parks developed or restored

Indicator: New trail miles developed

Indicator: Miles of existing trail restored or improved

Indicator: Miles of trail acquired

* The graph and indicator data may be grouped into date ranges that correspond with a group of grants that started at the same time. For example, grants that started in 2010 may have until 2012 to complete their work. Grants that started in 2011 may have until 2013 to complete their work (ranges vary by program). Each group is reported separately, which is why date ranges appear in the graph above and indicator data below.

Indicator Data

July 2015 - June 2018

Target 2 Plan(s)	Current Measurement 2 Plan(s)	As Of N/A

July 2016 - June 2019

Target 0 Plan(s)	Current Measurement 0 Plan(s)	As Of N/A
Target Description No plans are targeted for development in this period.

July 2017 - June 2020

Target 1 Plan(s)	Current Measurement 1 Plan(s)	As Of N/A
Target Description One plan is targeted for development.
Measurement Description One plan was developed.

July 2018 - June 2021

Target 0 Plan(s)	Current Measurement 0 Plan(s)	As Of N/A
Target Description No plans are targeted for development in this period.

July 2019 - June 2022

Target 2 Plan(s)	Current Measurement 0 Plan(s)	As Of N/A
Target Description Two plans are targeted for development in this period.

Indicator Data

July 2015 - June 2018

Target 472 Acres	Current Measurement 378 Acres	As Of N/A
Target Description The target is to acquire 472.23 acres of park land.
Measurement Description 378.07 acres of regional park were acquired.

July 2016 - June 2017

Target 0 Acres	Current Measurement 0 Acres	As Of N/A
Target Description There are no acres planned to be acquired.
Measurement Description There are no acres planned to be acquired.

July 2017 - June 2020

Target 147 Acres	Current Measurement 0 Acres	As Of N/A
Target Description There are 147 acres planned to be acquired.

July 2018 - June 2019

Target 159 Acres	Current Measurement 0 Acres	As Of N/A
Target Description The target is to acquire 159.8 acres of regional park land.

July 2019 - June 2020

Target 0 Acres	Current Measurement 0 Acres	As Of N/A
Target Description There are no plans to acquire regional park acres this year.

Indicator Data

July 2015 - June 2018

Target 3 Parks	Current Measurement 3 Parks	As Of N/A
Target Description The target is to develop or rehabilitate 3 parks.
Measurement Description Three regional parks were developed or rehabilitated.

July 2016 - June 2019

Target 6 Parks	Current Measurement 0 Parks	As Of N/A
Target Description The target is to develop or rehabilitate 6 parks.
Measurement Description Parks developed or rehabilitated: Grant recipients have up to three (3) years to complete their work. If a project receives federal funding, the time period of the grant is extended to equal the availability of the federal funding. Measurable outcomes will be reported once all grants originating from fiscal year 2017 are closed.

July 2017 - June 2020

Target 6 Parks	Current Measurement 0 Parks	As Of N/A
Target Description Six (6) parks are targeted for development or restoration.
Measurement Description Parks developed or rehabilitated: Grant recipients have up to three (3) years to complete their work. If a project receives federal funding, the time period of the grant is extended to equal the availability of the federal funding. Measurable outcomes will be reported once all grants originating from fiscal year 2018 are closed.

July 2018 - June 2021

Target 8 Parks	Current Measurement 0 Parks	As Of N/A
Target Description Eight (8) parks are targeted for development or restoration.
Measurement Description Parks developed or rehabilitated: Grant recipients have up to three (3) years to complete their work. If a project receives federal funding, the time period of the grant is extended to equal the availability of the federal funding. Measurable outcomes will be reported once all grants originating from fiscal year 2019 are closed.

July 2019 - June 2022

Target 5 Parks	Current Measurement 0 Parks	As Of N/A
Target Description Five (5) parks are targeted for development or restoration.
Measurement Description Parks developed or rehabilitated: Grant recipients have up to three (3) years to complete their work. If a project receives federal funding, the time period of the grant is extended to equal the availability of the federal funding. Measurable outcomes will be reported once all grants originating from fiscal year 2020 are closed.

Indicator Data

July 2015 - June 2018

Target 5 Miles	Current Measurement 3 Miles	As Of N/A
Target Description The target is to develop or create 5.9 miles of new trail.
Measurement Description 3.1 miles of new trail were developed.

July 2016 - June 2019

Target 14 Miles	Current Measurement 0 Miles	As Of N/A
Target Description The target is to develop or create 14.45 miles of new trail.
Measurement Description New trail developed or created: Grant recipients have up to 3 years to complete their work. If a project receives federal funding, the time period of the grant is extended to equal the availability of the federal funding. Measurable outcomes will be reported once all grants originating from fiscal year 2017 are closed.

July 2017 - June 2020

Target 28 Miles	Current Measurement 0 Miles	As Of N/A
Target Description The target is to develop 28.2 new miles of trail. Five projects.
Measurement Description New trail developed or created: Grant recipients have up to 3 years to complete their work. If a project receives federal funding, the time period of the grant is extended to equal the availability of the federal funding. Measurable outcomes will be reported once all grants originating from fiscal year 2018 are closed.

July 2018 - June 2021

Target 22 Miles	Current Measurement 0 Miles	As Of N/A
Target Description The target is to develop 22.63 new miles of trail.

July 2019 - June 2022

Target 9 Miles	Current Measurement 0 Miles	As Of N/A
Target Description The target is to develop 9.2 new miles of trail.

Indicator Data

July 2015 - June 2018

Target 15 Miles	Current Measurement 15 Miles	As Of N/A
Target Description The target is to restore or improve 15.5 miles of trail.
Measurement Description 15.5 miles of trail was restored or improved.

July 2016 - June 2019

Target 3 Miles	Current Measurement 3 Miles	As Of N/A
Target Description 3.56 miles are proposed to be redeveloped.
Measurement Description 3.56 miles of existing trail were restored or improved.

July 2017 - June 2020

Target 0 Miles	Current Measurement 0 Miles	As Of N/A
Target Description No miles are proposed to be redeveloped.
Measurement Description No miles are proposed to be redeveloped.

July 2018 - June 2021

Target 0 Miles	Current Measurement 0 Miles	As Of N/A
Target Description No miles are proposed to be redeveloped.

July 2019 - June 2022

Target 25 Miles	Current Measurement 0 Miles	As Of N/A
Target Description 25.5 miles of existing trail are planned to be restored or improved.

Indicator Data

July 2016 - June 2019

Target 10 Miles	Current Measurement 0 Miles	As Of N/A
Target Description The target is to acquire 10.25 miles of trail.
Measurement Description Miles of trail acquired: Grant recipients have up to 3 years to complete their work. If a project receives federal funding, the time period of the grant is extended to equal the availability of the federal funding. Measurable outcomes will be reported once all grants originating from fiscal year 2017 are closed.

July 2017 - June 2018

Target 0 Miles	Current Measurement 0 Miles	As Of N/A
Target Description No miles of trail are planned for acquisition.
Measurement Description Pending program information

July 2018 - June 2019

Target 0 Miles	Current Measurement 0 Miles	As Of N/A
Target Description No miles of trail are planned for acquisition.
Measurement Description Pending program information.

July 2019 - June 2020

Target 0 Miles	Current Measurement 0 Miles	As Of N/A
Target Description No miles of trail are planned for acquisition.

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