The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), through its Parks and Trails Legacy Grant Program, has awarded $7.14 million in grants to 28 local communities. These grants will help local governments acquire, develop, restore and maintain parks and trails of regional or statewide significance across Minnesota. Funding for this program comes from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

The DNR received 99 applications to the Parks and Trails Legacy Grant Program with requests for more than $33 million. Local units of government receiving grants are required to provide at least 10 percent in matching funds. Projects funded represent the diversity of park and trail recreation opportunities across Minnesota.

Read about project summaries, locations and funding amounts for Parks and Trails Legacy Grant Program.

The DNR also has awarded $1.8 million in Regional Park, Regional Trail, and Local Trail Connection grants. These grants will help fund 16 local and regional park and trail projects across Minnesota. Funding through these programs comes from “in-lieu of sales tax” on lottery proceeds and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Project summaries, locations and funding amounts are posted at mndnr.gov (click on the links to “Grants,” then “Recreation,” then “Regional park grant program” or “local trail connections program” or “regional trail grant program.”

Read about project summaries, locations and funding amounts for Local Trail Connections Program and Regional Trail Grant Program.

Read about project summaries, locations and funding amounts for Regional Park Grant Program.

Questions related to the grant programs can be directed to the DNR’s Division of Parks and Trails, 651-259-5549.