Below is a contribution from GMPT Business Member ISG, Inc. For more information, please visit isginc.com.
Practice What You Teach: ISG Helps Shape a Nature Center Focused on Stewardship
A Nature Center That Practices What It Teaches
The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center was created to help people better understand and enjoy the outdoors. On 508 acres in Austin, Minnesota, the site is a place for environmental education, recreation, and conservation. As the Nature Center sought to expand its facilities and plan for the future, it wanted each improvement to reflect its mission of environmental stewardship.
Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and the City of Austin partnered with ISG, a full-service design firm, to develop a master plan and design a new Interpretive Center. These efforts created a road map for future improvements and gave visitors a building that demonstrates sustainable practices in action.
Planning With Purpose
ISG helped Nature Center staff establish a long-term vision for the entire property. Through conversations with staff, community members, and Austin Parks and Recreation staff, the team gathered input on future needs, opportunities, and priorities.
The planning process evaluated existing conditions, natural resources, recreation and education needs, and performance, resulting in a master plan that continually provides guidance for future restoration projects, facility improvements, and fundraising.
A Building That Supports The Mission
As part of the Center’s educational experience, visitors can explore exhibits focused on wildlife, ecosystems, water conservation, and renewable energy. Live birds of prey, a Minnesota aquatic life aquarium, an early childhood nature play area, classrooms, a resource library, and flexible gathering spaces support programs and events. Natural materials and bird-safe windows connect the local setting and wildlife.
Visible Sustainability
Sustainability is incorporated in all aspects of the building and visitor experience. ISG designed a solar array that provides renewable energy to the facility while serving as a teaching tool for visitors. The building uses environmentally aware heating and cooling systems, electric vehicle stations, reused building material, and rain gardens.
Outdoor Gathering
ISG's work included conceptual designs for a renovated amphitheater and gathering space. The design focused on smaller events, outdoor classrooms, performances, and educational programming. Native plantings, natural materials, shade structures, and tiered seating blend the space into the landscape.
Lasting Impact
The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center demonstrates how planning, architecture, engineering, and education work together to support a larger mission. This facility demonstrates sustainable principles through its design, operations, and visitor experience.
Focusing the master plan and Interpretive Center on renewable energy, conservation, and learning, ISG helped create a destination that supports environmental education today while providing a framework for the Nature Center's future.
Below is a contribution from GMPT Member Olmsted County, authored by Oxbow Park Naturalist, Jaide Ryks. For more information, please visit olmstedcounty.gov.
Earlier this fall, Oxbow Park staff worked tirelessly to prepare a brand-new campground for its grand opening before the busy Labor Day weekend. Offering over 40 sites, camper cabins, and much more, Oxbow Park was excited to finally open its much-needed campground space just in time for the holiday rush!
The new campground offers more amenities than ever before. With 42 RV sites and four ADA-accessible camper cabins, Oxbow Park offers plenty of space for the novice or experienced camper. Every site has a large parking pad, picnic table, fire ring, water hook-up, and plenty of grass space for those who enjoy tenting. Cabins are spacious and sleep six people, with heating and air conditioning, plus a microwave and mini refrigerator. A large playground with natural playground features sits in the center of the campground, connected by a bituminous path that spans the entirety of the campground space. A large restroom building includes individual shower and restroom rooms for added privacy. The entire nine acres of campground is also equipped with free Wi-Fi for those who enjoy a spooky movie at night or need to send that last work email before their relaxing weekend.
With the opening of the new modern campground, Oxbow Park will now offer winter camping, something never offered before. Six RV sites and all four cabins will be available to rent year-round. Campers will have access to water hydrants and two vault toilets throughout the winter season.
Oxbow Park would not have their new modern campground facility if it weren’t for the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) and funding from the Legacy Amendment. Olmsted County was awarded $2,050,000 in grant funding, with the project totaling around $3,680,000.
Much to our excitement, community members and parkgoers were extremely supportive, and it showed! The entirety of the new campground was at maximum capacity on opening weekend, a sight we love to see.
The GMPT Communications Committee is always striving to improve and expand our outreach to members, so we are excited to announce that we are adding a marketing specialist to the group! Lacey Doboszenski, the Marketing & Membership Coordinator for Northland Arboretum, will be spearheading our social media presence and beefing up content that will keep our members informed and engaged. We want to thank Lacey for donating her time and welcome her to the team!
Below is a message from GMRPTC Executive Director Renee Mattson. You can reach her at renee.mattson@gmrptcommission.org.
The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) is led by 13 Governor-appointed Commissioners who work hard on behalf of all of Greater Minnesota. Two Commissioners represent each of the six districts, and one who serves as an At-Large Commissioner.
Recently, two Commissioners have resigned their seats before their terms ended. One due to work conflicts and the other moved to another district. We reluctantly bid them farewell, with our deepest appreciation for their work and dedication.
The appointments will be made by Governor Walz, and we hope to have the seats filled in the near future. The open seats are in District 2, our west central district, and District 3, our northwest district. For a more detailed map that lists the counties that make up the districts, please visit the Regional System page of the Commission website here.
If you are interested in applying, you can do so on the Commission’s page on the Secretary of State site here.
Over the last 13 years, we have been fortunate to have dedicated, interested, and engaged Commissioners serve on the GMRPTC. If you would like to be part of this group, please fill out an application today!
(Above) Commissioners and consultants attending a monthly meeting in Otter Tail County.
Every fall at our Annual Meeting, GMPT adopts its Legislative Policies and Agenda for the upcoming legislative session. The Legislative Policies are a statement of the organization’s principles and do not change much from year to year. The Agenda defines the issues that we will primarily focus on during the upcoming legislative session.
Earlier this month at the Annual Fall Meeting, GMPT adopted its 2027 Legislative Policies and Agenda for the upcoming legislative session. The Policies are a statement of the positions we take on specific issues and areas of concern, providing guidance for our Agenda and for how we might respond to legislation that is introduced during the 2027 session. The Agenda sets forth the issues that we will be affirmatively working on, though we may not introduce legislation on each item. Because 2027 is a budget year at the state capitol, our work will be primarily focused on financial matters.
Here is a brief summary of the changes made to and the items adopted in our Legislative Priorities.
We also adopted four items for our Legislative Agenda.
Next week’s elections should not affect our priorities and agenda, but they will shape how we approach these issues, including our bill authors and legislative plans. Click here to view our complete 2027 Legislative Policies and Agenda.
As we approach the next legislative session, stay tuned for updates on reaching out to new and reelected legislators, agency appointments, and more. We will host a legislative preview webinar in January, and our Legislative Action Day is scheduled for February 17, so mark your calendars! For a full overview of our 2027 Legislative Policies and Agenda directly from the source, you can view our forum from early October here.
In the meantime, if you have questions regarding our legislative work, please contact GMPT Lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel at eawefel@flaherty-hood.com.
Congratulations to the following members who received DNR grants to help fund their projects!
FY2027 DNR Outdoor Recreation Grants:
FY2027 Natural and Scenic Area Grants:
To view the full list of grant recipients, visit the Recreation Grants page of the DNR website.
Below is a contribution from GMPT Business Member WSB, authored by Kassidy Przymus. For more information, please visit wsbeng.com.
Forge Ahead
WSB is a rapidly growing design and consulting firm with a proven record of helping communities plan, design, and deliver meaningful infrastructure solutions. As a national infrastructure company, WSB brings together services across engineering, planning, environmental, and construction disciplines, giving clients access to a broad range of expertise through one collaborative team. Through this integrated approach, WSB partners with clients and communities across the nation to develop creative, innovative solutions for projects of every scale.
Designing Active and Useful Spaces
WSB has a longstanding reputation for designing public spaces that create meaningful, lasting value for the communities we serve. Our team partners with clients to strengthen community connections through places that promote diversity, support inclusivity, and inspire creativity. Guided by a forward-looking design approach, we help deliver public spaces that are welcoming, purposeful, and built to be enjoyed for generations.
Project Highlight - Silver Lake Park, Rochester, Minnesota
WSB was selected to lead the design of the Silver Lake Park Redevelopment, located just north of downtown Rochester near the Mayo Clinic. As the prime consultant, WSB assembled a team of specialty subconsultants to support key project components, including CRW Architects, Full Circle Planning and Design, EDI-Dolejs, USAquatics, and California Skateparks. The redevelopment focused on four primary areas:
Aquatics Facility
The Aquatics Facility replaced the park’s existing pool and support buildings with a modern, more accessible recreation area. The new facility includes a fully fenced lap pool, a zero-entry wading pool, and shaded seating throughout the pool deck. There is also a splash pad with unique, distinctive overhead play elements near the entrance. A new pool building provides updated restrooms, showers, and concessions, while a basketball court on the south side of the pool area expands recreation opportunities for other park users. Walkways connecting the pool to the parking lot were also upgraded to meet current accessibility standards. The pool opened in spring 2026 and continues to be a popular summer destination.
Playground Improvements
Located on the northwest side of Silver Lake Park, the playground received full reconstruction with new Burke Playground equipment, ADA-compliant sidewalks, and a layout designed to welcome children and young adults of varying ages and abilities. The play area is organized into three zones: one for toddlers, one for children ages 4 to 12, and a unique pod designed for climbing and exploration. Together, these spaces create a more inclusive and engaging destination for a wide range of users. A 22-foot-tall climbing and sliding structure beneath the adjacent tree canopies adds a memorable vertical play experience, while meandering paths and outer walks improve circulation throughout the playground.
Tribal Gathering Space
The Tribal Gathering Space is located on the southern edge of Silver Lake Park, on a peninsula-like area along Silver Lake. This portion of the project creates a dedicated destination for local Native American groups, including GRADS, the Greater Rochester Area Dakota Supporters, with space for gatherings, events, and ceremonies. Rochester serves as a regional hub for several Native tribes in Minnesota, making this lakeside setting an important community amenity. Designed with native Minnesota plants and local materials, the gathering space includes a flagstone circle, limestone bench seating, room for a drum circle, and a fire pit to support larger ceremonies. Its location along the water also reinforces connections to fire, earth, wind, water, and air within the tribal community.
Skate Park Expansion
The current skate park is being modified to accommodate the advanced skaters that currently use the park. These modifications include creating larger areas for groups of all ages and experience levels to use. There is also a new flow bowl, large in scale, to be placed on site for more advanced skating skills. A medium-sized picnic shelter is proposed to provide additional shade in the area, with multiple seating options available. Construction for this part of the project will begin in Fall 2026, with an expected completion date of late Spring 2027.
Figure 1: Aquatics Facility. Photo taken on August 21, 2026.
Figure 2: Playground Improvements. Photo taken on August 21, 2026.
Figure 3: Tribal Gathering Space. Photo taken on August 21, 2026.
For more information, please visit wsbeng.com or contact Jason Amberg via jamberg@wsbeng.com.
(Left) Jennifer, Renee, Roger and Brooke at the finish line!
Seems there has been an abrupt shift from summer to fall in recent days, at least in the northern part of the state.
I recently had the opportunity to spend a day with our accessibility expert Jennifer Skulski who did an accessibility audit at Lyon County Garvin Park. Jennifer happened to be in Minnesota that week doing another audit and things worked out well to be able to add Garvin Park to the schedule.
It was a very, very informative and eye-opening day at Garvin, joined by Brooke Kor the County Park Program Supervisor and Roger Schroeder the County Environmental Administrator. Garvin reached out for assistance in how to best upgrade their facilities to better meet the needs of those needing special accommodations. Jennifer reviewed the facilities not just for mobility access but also for those with sight and hearing impairments.
As we’ve started our journey at GMRPTC to learn more about how to do better on the accessibility front, to demonstrate “Commitment not just Compliance,” Joe and I have been serious about becoming more educated in this area and have learned we have a lot more TO learn.
What we discovered at the Garvin Park access audit is that we simply cannot depend on engineers or architects to provide plans, we need to ensure they understand the requirements about the correct way to build something. We cannot depend on a provider of a pre-built shower/restroom facility to get the specifications right; we need to verify the plans prior to purchase.
These were disappointing findings and underscored the sad fact that “professionals” are not required to be educated in accessibility and ADA guidelines. Though, hopefully that lack in education will change soon.
Jennifer overall was pretty happy with the facilities we toured; she had some pointed suggestions for improvements that Brooke and Roger committed to making. She also had a statement of high praise for a stick-built restroom/shower facility, calling it “the nicest bathhouse I’ve EVER seen!”.
So, this all brings me back to the accessibility forums that GMRPTC hosts every quarter. The investment of your time, just an hour and a half every three months, is beyond worthwhile. We know of course that schedules are busy, there is never enough time to do everything we want. If you miss a forum, good news! They are ALL archived on our website, so you can watch them at your leisure when you do have the time. And perhaps think about watching them with your staff so that everyone has the opportunity to learn what we can do to make our parks and trails welcoming to all who visit.
Thanks for your commitment to enhancing access.
(Above) Jennifer checking the height of the protruding object, which should be 80” of clearance, and if not, there should be a cane detectible object at the base, and there is.
To prepare members for the 2027 legislative session, the document below covers the organization’s policy goals for the upcoming year before adoption by the membership at our Fall Meeting in October.
For any questions about our legislative work, please contact Elizabeth Wefel at eawefel@flaherty-hood.com.
2025 News Archives
Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails
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St. Paul, MN 55103
contact@greatermnparksandtrails.org
