Last night we kicked off the month long public review of the draft Parks and Trails Legacy Plan (which will be open for discussion through Friday, Jan 7, 2011). My name is Emmett Mullin, and I work as a planner with the DNR. Currently, I'm working with Laurie Young to support the parks and trails Legacy planning effort.
We'll... Back to Mankato. I felt we had a great meeting last night - a very positive and engaged group of about 30 folks attended.
A number of themes emerged from our discussions. Perhaps the top one is that trail connections should be a top Legacy priority for the coming years.
Another included the importance of conservation, which many felt could be strengthened in the current draft. Another insight that emerged is that Southern Minnesota does not have the same public land base as northern MN, so land acquisition should be a big part of the Legacy as we move into the future.
One concern I had last night was that a lot of the conversation focused on state parks and trails. As we move forward into next week's workshops, we need to make a stronger and clearer point that parks and trails of regional significance are an equal part of this effort. While the Minnesota DNR has a lead role in convening the collaborative planning effort, if we're to be successful we need to ensure that this is an equal partnership made up of a wide array of partners.
I look forward to our coming conversations on-line and at the workshops.
After attending the meeting in Bemidji, I'm not sure you really improved the last three meetings to include the parks/trails of regional significance much!
It definitely felt like we were talking mostly about State Parks and State Trails.
I am a Township Supervisor and will be applying for a legacy grant in Isle Harbor Twp. This grant serves to connect the Soo Line Trail with Father Hennipen State Park on the West side. After getting cost estimates for the project and finding the Legacy Grant will only cover 75% of the cost, our little Township is finding it very expensive to fund its portion. It would be a non-motorized trail open to bicycles and pedestrian foot traffic,and X-country skiing. Does anyone here know where else to turn for funds for this worthwhile trail connection? Thanks, David Olson
The need for strong partnerships is only going to increase in the future. There are a lot of great examples out there of current park and trail partnerships including the DNR - Conservation Corps partership we have going with the Legacy Planning effort. Check out the Increasing Outdoor Recreation Participation Legacy Workgroup Report (these should be posted today on Citizing) that illustrate great collaborative work - whether the Anoka County-Connexus Energy Outdoor Heritage Lab; or the National Park Services' Urban Canoe Wilderness Area progarm, partnering with Minneapolis and St. Paul's Public Schools.
In the draft funding chapter, the forth result area says "recognize differences of park and trail providers (and related organizations), and play to each others strengths. In this case, I think it means that there are a lot of great organizations regional and state park and trail providers can leverage to reach more people.
Emmett, I agree that it is an important aspect that people know this plan has the voice of many partners. In my role with the Conservation Corps and the MN DNR as the 25yr Strategic Plan Assistant I have seen first hand the numerous different partners play a key role in collaboration to create this plan.
How do you see this continuing today and throughout the future?