Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota

A nonprofit organization

$67,676 raised by 210 donors

100% complete

$64,000 Goal

New $4,000 Matching Boost

Let’s keep our hiking boots on as we stretch to a new goal! Your donation will still be DOUBLED because now a new donor has pledged to double all new gifts up to $64,000 by the end of the night!


2024 Matching Fund Goal

Donate anytime between Nov. 1 and 21 and your donation will be matched, dollar for dollar by a $28,000 matching fund.

The matching fund was created by these fellow supporters who hope to inspire your giving during Give to the Max:
Dick Brainerd | Louise Fester | Bob Nesheim & Marlys Johnson | Peter Seed | Bob Erickson | Gail Fiskewold |
Tim Farrell | Chris Howard | Harvey Feldman



Let's build an outdoor future for all!

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota is a member-supported nonprofit that has worked vigorously since 1954, to acquire, protect and enhance our state's most special places. Together we:

Save critical land for parks and trails

With community support, Parks & Trails Council responds efficiently to secure critical land for parks and trails before it's sold off and lost.

Give legislative voice to places without one

Special outdoor places need people to give them a voice at the state capitol. Together, we can advocate for robust investments and policies to protect these outdoor places.

Foster a community of caretakers

Volunteers are vital to Minnesota's parks and trails. Let's bring people together to care for, promote and welcome everyone to benefit from these special places.


Recent Land Projects

see all our land projects and more at

www.ParksAndTrails.org

William O'Brien State Park

Restoring an old farm into parkland and a route for the Gateway State Trail

We removed farm equipment and buildings to restore this former farm to parkland   

   2021  -  P&TC ACQUIRED FROM PRIVATE LANDOWNER

   2023  -  P&TC CONVEYED TO PARK

   60  -  ACRES

   $849,000  -  REAL ESTATE VALUE

   Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota bought this incredible property and conveyed it to the park in 2023. It was previously owned by a man who was born there and spent 80 years enjoying the idyllic setting. When it was time to move on, he entertained numerous offers but ultimately sold to P&TC, knowing we would preserve it for the park. This property also provides a preferred route for the Gateway State Trail to connect to the state park.


Lake Shetek State Park

Saving a rare, forested peninsula that had been a Boy Scout camp

Forested peninsula protected for Lake Shetek SP

  

  2020  -  P&TC SECURED AT AUCTION

  2022  -  P&TC ACQUIRED FROM BOY SCOUTS

  TBD  -  P&TC CONVEYED TO PARK

  24.5  -  ACRES

  $1.85 MILLION  -  REAL ESTATE VALUE

  This land represented the last large tract of tree-covered shoreline along popular Lake Shetek. It was owned by the Boy Scouts Sioux Council, which operated a camp here for decades. In 2020, the Boy Scouts auctioned the property, and facing intense competition against developers, P&TC emerged as the highest bidder, thereby securing the land for the park. We are currently working with the park management to transfer the land at a time that works best for them.



Goodhue-Pioneer State Trail 

Extending the trail along scenic river blufflands

Looking toward the land P&TC saved across from the trail terminus.

 

   2020  -  P&TC ACQUIRED FROM PRIVATE LANDOWNER

   2023  -  P&TC CONVEYED TO PARK

   61  -  ACRES 

   $452,570 - REAL ESTATE VALUE
   
 For years, the northern segment of this trail came to an abrupt end at a dirt road in Hay Creek Township. Across the road lay an overgrown field marked with a private property sign. Knowing that just beyond this field, the State owned more than four miles of abandoned railroad corridor, we worked for over a decade to acquire the land and remove that gap, which held up development.


Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

Saving the mouth of Pike Creek

Mouth of Pike Creek just before it empties into Mississippi River

 2020  -  P&TC ACQUIRED FROM PRIVATE LANDOWNER

  2023  -  P&TC CONVEYED TO PARK

  12  -  ACRES

  $197,650  -  REAL ESTATE VALUE

Pike Creek is a picturesque creek that meanders through Charles A. Lindbergh State Park. It provides critical recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat. On Sept. 9, 2020, P&TC purchased a small private property along Pike Creek, where it empties into the Mississippi River. This was the only private property along the creek’s southern terminus that was not within the park. Before P&TC saved it for the park, the former park manager described the property as “the most critical natural resource-based inholding remaining in the statutory park boundaries.”

P&TC conveyed the property and its modest house, barn, shed, and footbridge to the MnDNR in 2023. The buildings will eventually be removed, and the footbridge will likely be brought up to accessibility standards and integrated into the park trail system.



Your support protects parks and trails for future generations.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota

Tax id (EIN)

41-1450303

Categories

Environment Health Community

Address

275 East Fourth St Suite 250
St. Paul, MN 55101

Phone

651-726-2457

Social Media