GMRPTC Update: FY2026 Funding Recommendations

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

---

At the November 27 meeting, Commissioners gathered for a last review of the FY26 funding applications and finalized their recommendations. The application cycle saw 16 eligible applications, and the Commission is pleased to recommend funding for 14 of the applications. These recommendations have been made using the Minnesota Management and Budget forecast numbers from September 2024. The February forecast is the one that will be used by the Governor and lawmakers to craft the FY26/FY27 budget, though we do not expect to see any dramatic changes up or down. Once the final forecast is made, it will determine what amount will be set aside for the Environmental and Archeological Grants as well as the Access Grants.

Fiscal Year 2026 Greater Minnesota Legacy Funding Recommendations

Project	Award	District
Cloquet Pine Valley Recreation Area	$2,257,200	1
Proctor Hermantown Munger Trails Spur	$950,000	1
Mesabi Trail	$400,000	1
Gull Lake Trail	$2,528,591	2
Frazee Wannigan Regional Park	$917,177	3
Willmar Robbins Island Regional Park	$1,304,568	3
Sherburne County Two Inlets at Bdé Heḣáka – Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park	$526,880	4
Chisago County Swedish Immigrant Trail	$2,414,549	4
Morrison County Soo Line Trail	$986,957	4
Great Northern Regional Trail	$683,240	4
Wright County Stanley Eddy Park Reserve	$292,850	4
Lyon County Garvin Park	$517,167	5
Rochester Quarry Hill Park & Nature Center	$403,206	6
Olmsted County Chester Woods Park	$185,000	6
Total	$13,417,968

Project Descriptions

Check out the highlights below for more information on each exciting project approved for legacy grant funding:

• Cloquet Pine Valley Recreation Area — Rehabilitation of the ski jumps, replacing 2.5K of ski trail lighting and installing an additional 2.5K of lighting to the cross-country ski trails, and constructing a parking area to delineate vehicle and pedestrian traffic and assist in ADA compliance.
• Proctor Hermantown Munger Trails Spur — Proctor Hermantown Munger Trail Spur-Segments 1-2 which will construct 2.83 miles of paved trail to connect to the larger trail system.
• Mesabi Trail — Reconstruction of a 2.5-mile section of the original trail from Buhl to Kinney.
• Gull Lake Trail — Construction to complete a 0.78-mile, 10-foot-wide paved trail which, when complete, will connect the current gap in the trail between Lake Shore and Nisswa, thereby completing a continuous 21-mile trail around Gull Lake. The project includes a floating aluminum frame boardwalk with wood decking over wetlands, plus a culturally sensitive area and an observation deck.
• Frazee Wannigan Regional Park — Phase 1 will add a trailhead, picnic shelters, tent campsites, restroom, shower/bathhouse, natural playground, trails, river overlooks and access, gravel road, and parking facilities.
• Willmar Robbins Island Regional Park — Phase 1 of a project to construct a two-sided amphitheater in Robbins Island Regional Park.
• Sherburne County Two Inlets at Bdé Heḣáka – Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park — Critical acquisition of 6.42 acres within the boundaries of the park.
• Chisago County Swedish Immigrant Trail — Acquisition and construction of Segment D of the Swedish Immigrant Trail.
• Morrison County Soo Line Trail — Resurfacing of two miles of trail and bridge replacement.
• Great Northern Regional Trail — Construction of a trailhead sign at the south end of the GNRT in Elk River, and design and construction of comfort and interpretive features along the trail between the trailheads.
• Wright County Stanley Eddy Park Reserve — The project includes establishing separate gravel parking areas: one for day use and the other for horse trailers. Other amenities include potable water, security lighting, vault toilet, and wayfinding.
• Lyon County Garvin Park — The project includes electrical service upgrades in two campgrounds, replacing the last original park picnic shelter, and converting an existing campsite to improve bathroom facility accessibility.
• Rochester Quarry Hill Park & Nature Center — Various projects focused on taking care of and preserving current park resources in order to sustain and enhance user experiences.
• Olmsted County Chester Woods Park — Replacement of old playground equipment to update and provide mobility accessible options for the playground at the park.

The GMRPTC forwards its recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature for approval through the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund, which will take place during the upcoming legislative session.

For more information on these projects and the Greater MN Regional Parks & Trails Commission, visit gmrptcommission.org.