Minnesota Trails

            What better way to spend a summer morning or evening in the Land of 10,000 lakes than fishing?

Fishing is the great Minnesota pastime.

A popular new naturalist program at Minnesota’s State Parks teaches the basics of fishing. From novices to those brushing up their fishing skills, it’s a great way to learn fishing skills.

by Kim Sampson, Range News Now                                                                                      After the nation has voted with more than 13 million votes, Soudan State Park, was voted second place for the Coca Cola “America Is Your Park” contest for a prize of $50,000. The promotion is part of Coca Cola’s “Live Positively” program.

Duluth News Tribune

“We’re 400 miles away from home,” said one father at the entrance to Gooseberry Falls State Park at midday today as his children piled out of a van ready to walk down to see the falls. The family, not willing to identify themselves, said they had been in the region this week and were staying in Duluth with plans to see the falls.

Minnesota’s forests have stories to tell.

            On Wednesday, Rachael Nicoll, a member of Itasca State Parks Naturalist Corp, told a few of those story to a group of visitors along the Dr. Roberts Nature Trail.

by Michelle Miron - Managing Editor St. Croix Valley Press

MARINE ON ST. CROIX — William O’Brien State Park, one of the metro area’s most scenic and well-used parks, is adding nearly 100 acres to its treasure trove of natural beauty. And it has the legacies of two local families to thank.

Park and river groups along the St. Croix River have some ideas of how you and your family can get out and enjoy the river this summer.

Lobbying paid off for members of the Sibley State Park Association Wednesday as they convinced Rep. Paul Anderson to withdraw his name from legislation that would either end or complicate their efforts to expand the 2,500 acre park by 16 acres.

With the goal of providing the next generation of Minnesotans with world-class parks and trails that connect everyone to the outdoors, a mandated 25-year strategic legacy plan was presented to the State Legislature today by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Tom Landwehr.

The long-range plan outlines how funds generated from the Clean Water Land and Legacy Act (the “Legacy Amendment”) as well as other traditional funding sources should be spent for parks and trails of state and regional significance.

        While it may take until late next fall before the new Lake Vermilion State Park has a basic park road, primitive campsites and trails to welcome visitors, planning and money are falling into place for a new kind of state park.

By John Myers, Duluth News Tribune

Gov. Mark Dayton’s first draft of a state construction bonding bill includes $4.5 million for the first phase of construction at the new Lake Vermilion State Park but little else new for Northeastern Minnesota.