A beautiful day on the Gull Lake Trail

Below is a message from GMRPTC Executive Director Renee Mattson. You can reach her at renee.mattson@gmrptcommission.org.

There definitely are days when I feel like I’m chained to my desk with no hope of ever being able to go outdoors and enjoy the amazing parks and trails we Minnesotans are so lucky to have. Monday, October 16, was NOT one of those days (happily).

The Gull Lake Trail in Brainerd is one of the many gems in the Greater Minnesota system and unique in the partnership between the cities of Lake Shore, Nisswa, East Gull Lake, and the township of Fairview. The trail partners have been successful in gaining funding from Greater Minnesota, as well as from LCCMR and Federal grants. Those successful applications—along with significant contributions from the local government units—have built a beautiful trail through the communities and along Gull Lake.

Though I have visited the trail and driven alongside it many times over the years while vetting for funding applications and grant closeouts, I’d not had the opportunity to actually ride the trail.

GMRPTC Commissioner Rob Mason, former Commissioner Bryan Pike, and I rode a 16-mile segment on a beautiful October day, just perfect for an end-of-season bike ride and fall color viewing. We were joined for a portion of the ride by Lake Shore City Administrator Teri Hastings. The ride was a necessary reminder that we all need to get out more and take advantage of the many opportunities available to us, no matter what the season.