To prepare members for the 2027 legislative session, the document below covers the organization’s policy goals for the upcoming year before adoption by the membership at our Fall Meeting in October.
For any questions about our legislative work, please contact Elizabeth Wefel at eawefel@flaherty-hood.com.
Below is a contribution from GMPT Member St. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority. For more information, please visit mesabitrail.com.
The Mesabi Trail officially celebrated the completion of its 165-mile paved route from Grand Rapids to Ely with a week of events marking both the trail’s completion and its 30th anniversary. The official ribbon-cutting was held September 15 at Depot Park in Tower, following a 30-mile community ride on September 12 that featured the newly completed Tower-to-Embarrass section.
The celebration recognized more than three decades of planning, partnerships, fundraising, and construction that transformed the vision of a long-distance trail across the Iron Range into a continuous route connecting 28 communities. The final connection into Tower completed the planned 165-mile route.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the celebration was that the grand opening wasn't simply the opening of another trail segment—it marked the culmination of a 30-year regional vision.
The celebration in Tower was about much more than cutting a ribbon. It was about recognizing the people who had the vision for this trail decades ago and the countless people who carried that vision forward. Elected officials, community leaders, trail advocates, volunteers, contractors, engineers, funders, and staff were all present, representing different chapters of the Mesabi Trail story.
As several speakers pointed out, no one person or organization could have built 165 miles of trail. It took decades of persistence through changing economies, rising construction costs, difficult terrain, landowner negotiations, permitting challenges, and funding uncertainties. There were plenty of times when progress was slower than anyone wanted, but with every completed section, the vision became a little more real.
The grand opening also provided an opportunity to celebrate the trail itself. Crossing a remarkable variety of landscapes—from forests and wetlands to historic mine pits and active mining areas—the Mesabi Trail connects visitors to communities, businesses, attractions, and the unique character of northeastern Minnesota.
The week of celebration gave participants a chance to experience the full trail firsthand. The 30-mile community ride highlighted the newly completed connection between Tower and Embarrass, while the Tomassoni Tour brought riders together to experience another portion of the completed route. Together, these events showcased the scale of the 165-mile trail and gave cyclists, community members, and trail supporters an opportunity to celebrate 30 years of work on the trail itself.
Now fully connected from the Mississippi River to the Boundary Waters gateway at Ely, the Mesabi Trail provides a strong foundation for continued tourism, recreation, economic development and investment in the communities along its route.
While the grand opening celebrated an incredible accomplishment, it is not the end of the Mesabi Trail story. In many ways, it marks the beginning of the next chapter. The focus now turns to taking care of what has been built, maintaining the older sections of trail, welcoming visitors who are discovering the Iron Range, and continuing to build on the opportunities this incredible asset creates.
The Mesabi Trail is more than 165 miles of pavement. It connects communities, brings visitors to the Iron Range, creates opportunities for local businesses, and gives future generations a way to experience the place we are fortunate to call home.
Thirty years after the first sections were built, the master plan for the Mesabi Trail is complete.
And now, the next chapter begins.
A little fun request in the spirit of the spooky season:
Of all the things that make this time of year truly wonderful, seeing animals in costumes tops the list! As you celebrate with your furry (or scaly, or feathery, etc.) friends, make sure to take photos of your costumed pal and send them to us for a chance to be featured in our October newsletter.
Send your photos to contact@greatermnparksandtrails.org and include your name, where you’re from, your pet’s name, and what their costume is inspired by. There are no winners or losers here—just an opportunity to spread a little frighteningly festive joy!
Don't have an animal bestie to dress up? No worries! We would be just as delighted to feature photos of your pumpkin art—whether it's carved, painted, or bedazzled, we want to see it! Same instructions as above, minus the subject of the photo's name (unless you name your pumpkins, which is fine by us, no judgement here!).
Happy hauntings! ️
Below is a contribution from GMPT Business Member Nienow Cultural Consultants, now Braun Intertec Corporation. Nienow Cultural Consultants LLC was acquired by Braun Intertec Corporation. For more information, please visit braunintertec.com.
Planning a new trail, campground, or boat launch? Knowing your archaeological requirements early can protect your timeline and budget, and it starts with one conversation.
To increase Cultural Resources capacity in the Upper Midwest and expand the quality services already available to a diverse client base, Braun Intertec Corporation (Braun Intertec) acquired Nienow Cultural Consultants LLC (NCC) in June of 2026. NCC has been a business member of GMPT for several years and has provided archaeological services for multiple county and regional parks, including Bend in the River Regional Park, Belle Prairie County Park, and Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo. NCC, and now Braun Intertec’s Upper Midwest Archaeology team, is led by Jeremy L. Nienow, Ph.D., RPA. Jeremy has over 30 years of archaeological experience in precontact, contact, and historic properties and has overseen excavations at some of Minnesota’s most iconic locations including Lower and Upper Posts of Fort Snelling, the Minneapolis waterfront, and the Minnesota State Capitol.
Adding expanded Cultural Resource Management (CRM) to Braun Intertec means they can now provide multidisciplinary project planning deliverables including environmental assessment, permitting and compliance, wetlands and species identification, geologic, geotechnical, and hydrologic conditions, and of course architectural and archaeological efforts.
“What's the first step we should take when thinking about archaeology?”
This is one of the most common questions clients ask during the initial meeting. Archaeology is not typically front of mind when members are planning new boat launches, trails, bathrooms, pavilions, campgrounds, disc golf courses, etc. Finding a design team, managing the logistics of existing services, and determining how to fund the project are usually top priorities. However, archaeology should be considered early in the planning process, especially if you are using state or federal funds, working on public lands, might need an Army Corps permit, or if you are working around properties which are eligible or on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
The first step in determining your archaeological needs is to simply consult with an archaeologist. The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) maintains a list of qualified archaeologists; however, most project owners start by talking to their peers to see if they have worked with an archaeologist in the past. Reputation and word of mouth are valuable commodities in the archaeological community. The next step is completing a Literature Review and Archaeological Assessment, often called a Phase IA. This document will tell you if you have any known archaeological sites within your project area, if any previous archaeological investigations have been done, and a wellspring of background information on area soils, historic environment, archaeological regions, cultural histories, etc. At the conclusion of this report, there is typically a section of recommended next steps which may include consultation with Tribes, completion of an archaeological survey, reaching out to the Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA) or State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
While archaeological requirements vary from project to project, the first step is often the simplest: consulting with an archaeologist to understand what may be needed and how those requirements could affect your timeline, budget, and project goals.
Have questions about the archaeological needs of your project? Braun Intertec's cultural resources professionals can help you understand potential requirements and determine next steps. Contact our team at 651-295-3744, JNienow@Braunintertec.com, or visit braunintertec.com to learn more about all our services, including cultural resources.
Below is a contribution from GMPT Member Northland Arboretum. For more information, please visit northlandarb.org.
The Northland Arboretum is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grant to purchase an Axis 40 all-terrain track chair, expanding outdoor access for individuals living with paralysis and mobility disabilities.
Accessibility has become a guiding principle of the Arboretum's long-term master plan. As one of Greater Minnesota's regional parks, we believe the outdoors should be a place where everyone has the opportunity to explore, learn, and connect with nature. This investment helps turn that vision into reality.
The track chair will allow visitors to independently experience the Arboretum's 13 miles of trails, six botanical gardens, and other nature-based amenities that were previously difficult or impossible to access using a traditional wheelchair. The chair will be available through a reservation system, allowing individuals and families to enjoy meaningful outdoor experiences together.
For regional parks and trails across Minnesota, accessibility extends beyond paved trails and ADA parking spaces. It also means creating opportunities for people of all abilities to experience forests, prairies, wetlands, and other natural landscapes that define our park system. Adaptive mobility equipment is one way parks can remove barriers while expanding participation and fostering a stronger connection to the outdoors.
We are grateful to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for recognizing the importance of inclusive outdoor recreation and helping make this opportunity possible. We hope this project encourages continued conversations about accessibility throughout Greater Minnesota's parks and trails system.
Because everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the healing power of nature.
Below is a message from GMRPTC Executive Director Renee Mattson. You can reach her at renee.mattson@gmrptcommission.org.
(Above) Welcome sign at the Big Falls Campground and Horse Camp.
August means the Minnesota State Fair, school shopping, last weekends with family before school is back in session, and funding tours!
The annual GMRPTC grants cycle opens April 1 and closes on July 31. In August, Joe and I had the pleasure of visiting the grant applicants and reviewing their proposed projects. This is certainly a lot of driving, and also a distinct highlight as we are able to review projects and really understand through an in-person visit what this project will mean to the community and visitors who use the park or trail.
It’s always energizing to see how thoughtful master planning—shaped through community engagement and dialogue—guides the long-term vision for a park or trail. Reviewing a facility’s very first project as it seeks grant funding is especially rewarding, and watching a park or trail evolve over time, sometimes from nothing more than an early idea, is one of the most enjoyable parts of this work.
I’d encourage everyone to take advantage of our beautiful Minnesota fall and explore a park or trail you’ve not previously been to before. The wealth of opportunity we have in Minnesota is simply amazing, and much of that is possible because of our Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment funding!
Though the last legislative session feels as though it only just ended, it’s never too early to start thinking ahead to next session. Of course, there’s an election between now and then, but we can still start working on our fundamentals to build on our successes in 2026.
At our annual meeting in October, we will adopt our Legislative Policies and Agenda, so as we begin drafting our agenda for the 2027 legislative session, we need your input! We created the survey below to make it easy for you to share your thoughts, and we will use your feedback to create our initial draft.
Your voice is critical in guiding our legislative agenda and overall work, so please fill out the survey today!
Click here to fill out the survey!
For question's on our legislative work, please reach out to GMPT Lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel at eawefel@flaherty-hood.com.
Below is a message from GMPT Chair Joe Tart. You can reach him at joseph.tart@chisagocounty.us.
Hello, GMPT members!
Get excited, because registration for GMPT’s Annual Fall Meeting is now open! Our 2026 Fall Meeting on Wednesday, October 21, as part of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) Annual Conference in Duluth! Join us and check out the best of what GMPT and MRPA have to offer.
We'll kick things off at 10:45am on October 21 with our annual business meeting, where we'll recap this year's successes, elect officers, and adopt GMPT's 2027 legislative priorities. Then, join us for a brown bag lunch and networking session, where you'll connect with Greater Minnesota colleagues and highlight the accomplishments of our members. After lunch, GMPT lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel will discuss grant funding and other issues that local and regional parks and trails will face at the legislature in 2027. Learn what you can do to prepare and advocate for Greater Minnesota priorities. Plus, there may be a few surprise visits from legislators!
As a bonus, MRPA has generously invited members who register and attend the Fall Meeting to attend any of the MRPA Annual Conference afternoon breakout sessions at no additional cost if they choose to stay for the remainder of the day. Registration and attendance at the GMPT Fall Meeting is required to take advantage of this opportunity. If you are planning to attend the MRPA Annual Conference on Thursday and Friday, please register for the conference separately through MRPA.
If you are already registered for the MRPA Annual Conference, you do not need to pay an additional registration fee to attend the GMPT Fall Meeting. However, please register using the free option to let us know you'll be there.
Click here to register!
The $38 fee to register includes lunch and materials, as well as access to the afternoon sessions at the MRPA Annual Conference.
If you have any questions about this year's Fall Meeting or future GMPT events, please email us at contact@greatermnparksandtrails.org. Hope to see you there!
Mark your calendars! The Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (MARP) will be hosting its annual conference on October 20-23, 2026, in Duluth, MN. Each year, MRPA’s Annual Conference provides diverse educational opportunities that will engage professionals from all backgrounds and offers meaningful experiences that truly “Lifts” attendees’ education, expand their knowledge, and strengthen engagement within their own communities.
The Mesabi Trail will be celebrating it's 30th anniversary and grand opening in September with special events you won't want to miss! The celebration will begin on Sept. 12 with a 30-mile bike ride from Biwabik to Tower, ending in a party at the Tower Depot Park. Then, a formal ribbon cutting ceremony will be held in the same park on Sept. 15, followed by an open house at the Mesabi Station trailhead in Eveleth on Sept. 16. More events and details to come, so make sure you check their Facebook page and website for updates!
2025 News Archives
Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails
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