Summary
Organization name
Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota
Tax id (EIN)
41-1450303
Categories
Environment, Health, Community
Address
275 East Fourth St Suite 250St. Paul, MN 55101
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
Media gallery
Organization Data
St. Paul, MN 55101