From the Chair: A year filled with change ends with new beginnings

Below is a message from GMPT Chair Gina Hugo. You can reach her at gina.hugo@co.sherburne.mn.us.

Hello Greater MN Parks & Trails!

We sincerely hope that this issue of our newsletter finds you and your families (at work and in life) well and geared up for whatever winter opportunities come. As we near the close of the year—which comes faster each time—please pause and feel good about the work you have done: the challenges navigated, the lessons learned, and the goals achieved. A goal achieved by the GMPT Board and Committee Members has been improving your membership experience by making renewals and registrations more accessible and streamlined. We are excited to roll out an online platform that will enable you to renew your membership, register for meetings and events, and pay with a credit card. This change is based on member feedback and has been in the works for quite some time. It has certainly been a topic of our conversations over the last four years. 

This means that the renewal process is looking different leading into 2026. Be sure to watch your email for the notice in the coming weeks. The other successes achieved by your GMPT organization are the direct result of our Legislative Advocacy, which is made possible by memberships and voluntary contributions. So, when you renew your membership, please consider making a voluntary legislative assessment! We realize not all member agencies are able to do so, but agencies that have the capacity are encouraged to do so for the benefit of the greater vision of park and trail policy and funding for our amazing collection of facilities.

GMPT has other significant changes coming its way, as we will see a changing of the guard at the end of 2025.

We wish to extend a huge “THANK YOU” to Tom Salkowski for his long-time service as GMPT Treasurer over the last 11 years. Tom has been retired from his career in Planning and Zoning for just as long, so he will finally enjoy FULL retirement—we are so happy for him! Now he can fully dedicate his time to family, fishing, and freedom! Tom, thank you for your integrity, attention to detail, mentorship, humor, and witty realism. Your contributions serving on the Board, as Treasurer, and as a colleague will leave a big hole, and we will miss you.

We are also saying farewell to Board Member Ben Anderson, who will be stepping down from the Board at the end of the year, and we want to express our gratitude for his contributions over the last 4 terms. Most of Ben’s tenure was served in leadership roles as Vice Chair, then Chair, then Past Chair. Ben’s thoughtful, quiet style fostered a high level of comfort during Board discussions, and his perspectives, professionalism, and experience will be missed. We recognize that this move will allow Ben to enjoy other professional opportunities, where he will certainly continue to contribute to the “Great” in Greater MN Parks and Trails! Thank you, Ben!!!

With all that being said, and as we roll into December, we have some great topics for your benefit in this issue! Please read on to learn GMRPTC Legacy Funding Project Recommendations and Grant Opportunities.

Happy Holidays!