Below is a message from GMRPTC Executive Director Renee Mattson. You can reach her at renee.mattson@gmrptcommission.org.

In 2008, Minnesota voters made a bold choice to increase the sales and use tax by three-eighths of one percent. The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the state constitution passed with 56% of the vote, at a time when the economy was struggling and adding another tax seemed an impossible goal. However, Minnesotans have a proud history of doing what is good for nature, for water, for arts and culture, and for outdoor recreation.

Greater Minnesota parks and trails have benefited from Legacy funding in ways big and small, in cities and counties where significant investments have been made that otherwise might not have happened but for the grant dollars available through Legacy.

The GMRPTC has a new interactive mapping tool that lets you explore the impact of Legacy in Greater Minnesota. This dynamic mapping system, which we call our Impact Map, geographically lays out all of the projects that have been funded by Legacy since the Commission started directing the funds in 2015. One map, one website. Over 154 projects and $110,000,000 in projects that have been completed or are underway and will soon be making their impact.

There is a tutorial on the IMPACT MAP home page that will show you just how deeply you can explore the system with this new tool.

Here are some ways you can make use of the Impact Map:

• Exploring the location of Greater Minnesota Legacy parks and trails in your region or district
• Summarizing Legacy investment by facility, agency, district, and state
• Noting how local investments have matched and enhanced Legacy's impact
• Analyzing the distribution of different types or classes of facilities across the state
• Investigating projects in similar types of facilities for ideas to impact your own
• Finding inspiration by exploring links to facility websites and social media
• Seeing how Legacy parks and trails fit into their nearby system of regional and state parks, trails, features and other recreation amenities.

It’s safe to say that there is no other interactive tool like the Impact Map, not a one. The GMRPTC is always seeking new and innovative ways to share the full story of how public dollars are changing lives—the Impact Map does that.