ACTION ALERT! Urge legislators to support bonding for local parks & trails grants!

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that local parks and trails are essential for our health and well-being. The Minnesota House and Governor Walz both included $4 million for the DNR’s local parks and trails grant programs in their bonding proposals, but the Legislature adjourned last week without passing a bonding bill.

We need your help to ensure that the Legislature passes a bonding bill that includes funding for these programs during a special session. Will you please take a few moments to email key legislators?

Please contact:

• CLICK HERE to send an email to these eight key legislators:
  • Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka
  • Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent
  • House Speaker Melissa Hortman
  • House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt
  • Sen. David Senjem – Chair of the Senate Capital Investment Committee
  • Sen. Sandy Pappas – Minority lead on the Senate Capital Investment Committee
  • Rep. Mary Murphy – Chair of the House Capital Investment Committee
  • Rep. Dean Urdahl – Minority lead on the Senate Capital Investment Committee

Your message

• Ask them to pass a bonding bill that includes $4 million for the DNR’s local parks and trails grant programs.
• These grant programs provide essential funds for local parks and trails that are not eligible for Legacy grants.
• The DNR vets the projects that receive grants to ensure they are ready to go and balanced across state.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of local parks and trails. Health experts and government officials emphasize that citizens should continue to go outside and be active while maintaining safe physical distances.
• Point out the importance of local parks and trails in your community and how these grants can help.
• These grant programs and the other projects in a bonding bill will directly stimulate the economy and create jobs.

If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Wefel at eawefel@flaherty-hood.com.