Recap of 2023: Oh, what a year!

Below is a message from GMPT Chair Ben Anderson. You can reach him at benjamin.anderson@stearnscountymn.gov.

As 2023 and the last days of my service as Chair of Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails have come to a close, I want to reflect on some of the great work we’ve done together over the past year. 

2023 was one of our most successful yet at the legislature. We hosted a successful Legislative Action Day, secured our first dedicated source of funding for designated regional parks and trails outside of Legacy, helped secure a record amount of funding for local parks and trails grants programs, and successfully pushed back on a measure to limit eminent domain power.

We also hosted a multitude of virtual forums on topics ranging from marijuana in public parks, park commissions and friends groups, accessibility and sensory activities, native prairie restoration, legislative activities, and more. The success of our forums was made possible by our great guest speakers and active attendees, and we appreciate all the feedback we received from our members. So, please continue to reach out to us at greatermnparkstrails@gmail.com with topic suggestions for our future forums!

Last but not least, our membership continued to grow with new local government, nonprofit, and business members such as the City of Becker, Greater Mankato Growth, the City of Proctor, Widseth, Houston Engineering, Project 412, Action Manufacturing, and Nienow Cultural Consulting. We cannot express our gratitude enough for the generous impact that our members have on our organization and our mission to increase access to parks and trails in our communities.

It has been an honor to serve as the Chair of such an active and vibrant organization over the last two years, but I am excited to hand the reins of the organization over to the very capable hands of Sherburne County Parks Director Gina Hugo. Thank you again to our members for all that you do to support the parks and trails of Greater Minnesota!