DNR Announces Parks And Trails Grant Recipients

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Miles of hiking and biking trails will come to regional Minnesota parks funded by nearly $7.5 million in Parks and Trails Legacy grants, the DNR announced Monday.

Some of the state's biggest recipients are Lyon County, which was awarded nearly $1.5 million to construct a paved off-road biking and hiking trail, and Freeborn County, which acquired more than 12 miles of abandoned rail line to link to a state trail.

The money for grants comes from the Parks and Trails Fund, which was created after voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in November of 2008, the DNR said. The fund gets 14.25 percent of the sales tax revenue and must be used to support parks and trails important to the state.

Below are some of the award recipients, according to a DNR press release:

-- City of Walker, $425,000. Construction of a tunnel/underpass under state Highway 200/371 to complete the Shingobee Connection Trail, which connects the Paul Bunyan and Heartland state trails to Walker.

-- St. Louis and Lake counties Regional Rail Authority (RRA), $512,000. Development of the Mesabi Trail at the eastern edge of Vermilion State Park.

-- Lyon County, $1,409,925. Construction of a new paved off-road bicycle and pedestrian trail that will connect Camden State Park to Marshall.

-- Freeborn County, $950,000. Acquisition of more than 12 miles of abandoned rail line for a new bicycle and pedestrian thoroughfare that will link to the Blazing Star State Trail in Albert Lea.

-- Itasca County, $200,000. Improvement of more than six miles of the Mesabi Trail, parking and signage.

-- City of Rochester, $250,000. Development of a multi-use path that connects to Quarry Hill Nature Center and Rochester's existing trail system.

-- County of Benton, $280,000. Creation of a river overlook and other facilities in Bend in the River Regional Park.

-- City of Detroit Lakes, $495,000. Acquisition of more than 50 acres and development of a bog walk, trails and other facilities at Sucker Creek Preserve.