Draft 10-year strategic plan for Minnesota state parks and trails

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News Release
Draft 10-year strategic plan for Minnesota state parks and trails available for review from DNR
(Released October 22, 2010)


A draft strategic plan outlining goals and priorities for the Minnesota State Parks and Trails system will be available for a 30-day public review beginning Friday, Oct. 22. The draft plan, which lays out the direction for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Parks and Trails from 2011 to 2020, focuses on the division’s state park, state trail and state water recreation responsibilities. Background information, the draft plan and instructions on how to comment can be found on the DNR’s website at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/issues/10y_stratplan/index.html


In November 2008, Minnesota voters passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment that established four dedicated funds from an increase in the state sales tax, including a Parks and Trails Fund to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance. In legislation that allocated the first two years of Legacy funding, the Minnesota State Legislature directed the DNR Parks and Trails Division to develop a 10-year strategic state parks and trails plan.

Broadly, the strategic plan focuses on three strategic directions:

Connecting people to the outdoors.
Accelerating management of our natural, cultural and recreational environments.
Investing in our partnerships, processes and people.
The strategic directions will guide how the division allocates its funding to fulfill its vision: To create unforgettable park, trail and water recreation experiences that inspire people to pass along the love for the outdoors to current and future generations.

Comments on the draft 10-Year Strategic State Parks and Trails Plan can be directed to Colin Kelly at colin.kelly@state.mn.us. For more information, call the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.