Minnesota Trails

While the Star Tribune's Jan. 12 story "DNR: Millions needed for land it already has" was accurate as far as it went, it was one-sided. It ignored large portions of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' report, which showed that the state's public lands are an economic engine that runs on a relatively modest investment. Nor is the funding gap as shocking or significant as the article implies, once you break it down.

If you have visited a new state park or biked on a expanded bike trail, you have Judy Erickson to thank.

Walking along the Creek at Minneopa State Park outside of Mankato, you’ll see a beautiful two-tiered waterfalls roaring over the limestone cliffs  You’ll see fish swimming under the crashing water and sweethearts next to the pool, where a mother duck leads her young.

Courtland Nelson, Director of the Minnesota State Parks and Trails Division for the Department of Natural Resources, sees all these things, but he also sees a crumbling and unsafe Depression-era concrete bridge.