Special Places Newsletter - Summer (June) 2014

Acquiring, protecting and enhancing critical land for the public’s use & benefit

Special PlacesPARKS & TRAILS COUNCIL OF MINNESOTA NEWSLETTER

Maria Ostman is a bit of a legend within Tettegouche State Park

history. She was the immigrant care-taker at Tettegouche camp (now part of Tettegouche State Park) during its days as the solitary-summer retreat for Duluth business baron Clement Quinn. From the mid-50’s to early-70’s Ostman spent her days living off the land and tending to the needs of Quinn, such as gathering ice from the lake for his daily martini.

A recent land donation to the Parks & Trails Council ties together this legendary figure’s story with two other Tettegouche legends: Mark and Joan Strobel.

After her decades-long stint as the Tettegouche Camp caretaker, Ost-man continued to live just outside the park boundaries on a parcel she bought from her former employer Quinn. Her property, which was split by Hwy 31, remained wooded and preserved the “up north” scenery for park visitors who travel down Hwy. 31 to the current Tettegouche Camp (where four rustic cabins can be rented by park visitors).

In 2004, Ostman decided to sell the 4 acres that lay on the park-owned side of Hwy. 31.

Strobel land donation continued on page 9

This 4-acre parcel in Tettegouche State Park was protected from becoming a gravel mine. Inset: Maria Ostman at Tettegouche Camp.

Inside this issueBison at Minneopa pg 3 Welcome DNR Director pg 5 Durenberger’s Speech pg 6 MN Rover’s 60th Event pg 7Mill Towns State Trail pg 8Bike MN Jerseys pg 10Magney Circle Events pg 10Oberstar Memorial pg 11

Land Project UpdateOne couple’s actions save small parcel from potential major disruption at Tettegouche

As the 2014 legislative session came to an end in May, parks and trails support-ers began celebrating. On May 20, Gov. Mark Dayton signed into law the largest capital investment package for parks and trails since 2008, plus a bill that increased several agency operating budgets, includ-ing the DNR Division of Parks and Trails. Get the details on pp. 4-5, including:

• The bonding bill has funding for: • 13 state trail projects• Asset preservation• Lake Vermilion State Park

• The surplus budget saves 16 jobs• Introducing a new state parks

and trails license plate

Summer 2014 (june)

Gitchi-Gami State Trail

Legislative Recap2014 session brings significant investments to parks and trails

Leg. recap continued on page 4

Summer ( June) 2014page 2

By Mike Tegeder, president

“Ober” is the German for “upper,” often used in compound words (where it has a general meaning of “high,” as in “oberland” or “highlands”). It has the sense of raising up or en-hancing and how true that

is here in Minnesota.

When “Ober” is heard here, two giants come to mind: Ernest Oberholtzer and Jim Oberstar. Ernest Oberholtzer was a friend to the Ojibwe people, the great defender of the Boundary Waters and one of the founders of the Wilderness Society. His legacy remains with the BWCAW and Voyageurs National Park.

Where do you start in describing the legacy left by Representative Jim Ober-star who died this past May 3? During his 36 years representing Minnesota 8th Congressional District he was involved in most major federal transportation legisla-

tion whether by land, sea or air. He lived up to his title of “Mr. Transportation.”

And for us members of P&TC he was a good friend with a passion for parks and trails. He walked the talk. He literally biked the trail. Ober, who got thousands of infrastruc-ture projects approved in Congress, made sure to insert bike safety measures and bike trails in transportation funding bills. Indeed, these were the legislative accom-plishments he was most proud of in his long and distinguished career of public service.

Jim Oberstar has left us a tremendous legacy and a challenge to renew our com-mitment to make a difference. Although Jim did not live to see the outcome of the Minnesota legislative session, I think he was cheering us on, especially with the trails projects we advocated for in the bonding bill. The efforts of our staff, members, friends groups, and consul-

tants helped to make this happen. By his example and effort, Jim Oberstar raised us up to that higher level.

Thank you all for your efforts this year in lifting up our parks and trails. It is said that legislation is made by those who show up. This year you really showed up and it made the difference.

A year ago I was up at the Cross River for a dedication ceremony and Rep. Oberstar characteristically showed up. After he gave his thoughts for the occasion a bald eagle swooped over our small group as if a blessing. That eagle is still overhead.

From the President“Ober” : being raised up by inspirational examples

From the archives1983: Landmark case saves Gateway State TrailOn Jan. 23, 1980 the Interstate Com-merce Commission authorized the abandonment of a little-used section of the Soo Line Railway on the condition that any future use be publicly accessible. A local community group now known as the Gateway Trail Association quickly formed and began working with the DNR to convert the railway into a biking, hiking, skiing and horse trail.

It didn’t take long before several abutting property owners organized in opposition to the trail and engaged the state in a bidding war for the abandoned railway. Recognizing that the state was legally bound to pay only the appraised value for land, the property owners raised its bid beyond what the state could offer.

Parks & Trails Council stepped in to donate the $8,000 necessary to match the opposition’s bid. Meanwhile members of P&TC’s board began meeting with Soo Line executives, who eventually agreed to sell to the state, convinced that the public’s interest in the land for a trail was paramount.

Nonetheless, the battle continued with the opposition filing a lawsuit claiming ownership rights to the land. The lawsuit made its way to the Minnesota Supreme Court (Washington Wildlife Preserva-tion v. State).

Sam Morgan representing P&TC, provided legal assistance to the DNR attorneys. On Jan. 14, 1983 the Supreme Court ruled that “the right-of-way is still

being used as a right-of-way for trans-portation even though abandoned as a railroad. Recreational trail use of the land is compatible and consistent with its prior use as a rail line, and imposes no greater burden on the servient estates.”

The ruling paved the way for many more rail-to-trail projects in the state. The 18-mile Gateway State Trail is currently being extended with a 6-mile spur into Stillwater that is expected to open in either fall 2014 or 2015.

P&TC staff and members at the Gateway State Trail

It is said that legislation is made by those who show up. This year you really showed up and it made the difference.“ “

Summer ( June) 2014 page 3

While Minneopa State Park is most well known for it’s waterfalls,

there may soon be a new reason to visit the park. DNR officials are currently reviewing comments received during the public review process for amending the park’s management plan. If approved, Minneopa would be the second state park with these giants of the prairie; Blue Mounds State Park has had bison since 1961.

Bison’s history in North America is tied directly with the fate of the prai-ries. Prior to European settlement, they seemed limitless, with some estimates in the tens of millions. By 1900 they were nearly extinct.

The existence of remnant prairie at Min-neopa was one of the reasons this park was chosen for bison reestablishment. Another reason was the park’s proximity to potential visitors. With interpretation of natural resources a prime aim of our state park system, bison offer a unique opportunity to both learn about the past and the way ecosystems rely on interac-tions between co-adapted species.

Establishing the herd of 30 to 40 bison will require several significant changes. The park plans to install a six-foot fence around the 330-acre prairie. The fence will have two gates with cattle guards

(metal bars on the ground that bison cannot walk on) that allow vehicles to drive through while keeping bison in.

Visitors will be allowed to drive through this enclosure on a road that leads up to an overlook at Seppman Mill, just outside the enclosure. But visitors must stay inside their vehicle while in the enclosure. From the overlook visitors will be able to take in sweeping views of nearly the entire bison range and the Minnesota River valley.

While many see this as an exciting opportunity for people to learn about a symbol of the majestic prairies, it does come at a cost. An existing hiking trail, which traverses the prairie, will be relo-cated to the perimeter of the enclosure. “There are many lovers of the prairie that will dearly miss that experience,” said Tim Pulis of the Friends of Minneopa, a group that has been weighing the pros and cons of this project.

This new trail is expected to increase the miles of trail within the park, however that trail experience will be different.

Park planners anticipate that the bison will attract new visitors to the park, which will likely increase the use of other amenities in the park. Pulis explained that this will likely have a positive affect

on the park with potentially more invest-ments made in the park. With Seppman Mill becoming a significant interpretive location, park staff may need to make improvements to the area and protect the mill, which is on the National Reg-ister of Historic Places, from increased visitor use.

A few other infrastructure elements will need to be built for the bison. Within the enclosure, a water source will be constructed, but attention will be paid to making it blend in with the prairie by designing it to look like a natural prairie pothole. A handling facility will also be built out of sight to aid in herd manage-ment activities such as genetic testing.

The bison genetics are an important component of the program. One of the goals of re-establishing bison at Min-neopa is to conserve plains bison genet-ics. Such a goal aligns with the legislative mandate defining a key purpose of state parks as, “to preserve, perpetuate, and interpret natural features that existed in the area of the park prior to settlement” and “to reestablish desirable plants and animals that were formerly indigenous to the park area but are now missing.”

Early plans indicated that if the project were approved, the introduction of bison could be done as early as fall 2014.

State Park UpdateBison may soon roam the prairie at Minneopa State Park

Seppman Mill at Minneopa State Park would become a overlook site encompassing views of the bison range (photo of mill by Randy Wood).


Over 31 park and trail projects totalling $53.49 million were included in the 2014 bonding bill (see map below).

Within this package were 11 trail proj-ects that P&TC has been advocating for since 2008. “We were thrilled that these trail projects, which have been on hold for years will finally begin to be built,” said Brett Feldman, executive director of P&TC.

Regrettably, one trail project—the Casey Jones State Trail—was cut from the bill during the final hours of negotiation despite the project’s strong merits and local support. P&TC plans to continue working with local groups, the DNR, and state legislators to develop Casey Jones,

which was Minnesota’s first authorized state trail.

Lake Vermilion State Park received $14 million for its ongoing development. The park was acquired in 2008 yet still has very limited areas open to the public. Plans include developing a campground at Cable Bay, camper cabins, picnic areas, boat launches, Wi-Fi access, and a family adventure area.

In addition to these projects, the DNR received $10 million for asset preserva-tion to be used for rehabilitation of current infrastructure. However, this amount was for all the DNR divisions (e.g., State Forests, Wildlife Management Areas, State Parks), and it is undecided

how much if any will be spent on parks and trails. In addition, this $10 million is far below the DNR’s original request of $30.4 million for state parks and trails alone, which identified trail resurfacing projects and campground rehabilitations.

Overall, this year’s package increased bonding dollars for parks and trails by nearly 60% compared to the 2011-12 bonding cycle.

The Metropolitan system of regional parks and trails received funding for several projects. And while greater Min-nesota benefits from the numerous state projects, we were disappointed that the emerging system received funding for only two projects.

Bonding Bill AppropriationsDNR System of State Parks and Trails

❶LakeVermilionStatePark................................................ $14million❷RedRiverStateRecreationArea.................................... $250,000❸FortSnellingUpperPost.................................................. $500,000❹BlazingStarStateTrail...................................................... $433,000❺CampRipley/VeteransStateTrail.................................. $1.73million❻CuyunaLakesStateTrail.................................................. $2.38million❼GatewayStateTrail............................................................ $520,000❽Gitchi-GamiStateTrail...................................................... $1.47million❾GlacialLakesStateTrail.................................................... $1.3million❿GoodhuePioneerStateTrail........................................... $260,000⓫HeartlandStateTrail.......................................................... $2.69million⓬LuceLineStateTrail........................................................... $1.73million⓭MillTownsStateTrail......................................................... $476,000⓮MinnesotaRiverStateTrail.............................................. $346,000⓯MinnesotaValleyStateTrail............................................ $2.17million⓰ShootingStarStateTrail................................................... $2.17million

Metropolitan System of Regional Parks and Trails

⓱MetropolitanRegionalParkSystem............................ $4million HastingsBridgeTrailConnection................................. $1.6million NorthUrbanRegionalTrail............................................. $2million ComoPark............................................................................. $5.4million MaplewoodFishCreekTrail............................................ $318,000 InverGroveHeightsHeritagePark............................... $2million SpringbrookNatureCenter............................................ $5million OakdaleMudLakeTrail&Boardwalk.......................... $150,000

Greater Minnesota System of Regional Parks and Trails

⓲CentralMinnesotaRegionalParks............................... $500,000⓳GrantCountyTrailGrant.................................................. $100,000

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Mapping the $53.49 Million Capital Investments in Parks and Trails in 2014Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund Appropriations⓴MetropolitanRegionalParkSystem............................ $1.5million㉑MesabiTrailDevelopment.............................................. $1million㉒Brown'sCreekStateTrail.................................................. $1.25million㉓MartinCountyParks.......................................................... $435,000㉔MinnesotaRiverWaterTrailhead.................................. $198,000

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* The bonding bill also includes $10 million for natural resource asset preservation, a portion of which may be spent on state parks and trails rehabilitation

Legislative Session RecapBonding bill passed with largest investment in parks and trails since 2008


For the first time in many years, the state budget held a surplus of $1.23 bil-lion. While nearly half the surplus was returned as tax relief and another $150 million was put into a rainy day fund, the remaining $263 million was spent on programs, including $1.6 million to oper-ate state parks and trails.

The supplemental budget bill (MN Law Ch. 312) included a few items from non-surplus funding sources, including $450,000 from the lottery-in-lieu account toward state park and trail operations.

According to DNR Parks and Trails di-rector Erika Rivers, these two additional sources of funding will cover 16 positions and 100,000 hours of staff time in fiscal year 2015. P&TC was instrumental in advocating for this additional funding.

A few others items relating to parks and trails were funded through the supple-mental budget bill (MN Laws Ch. 312):

• $350,000 to begin development of a segment of the Willard Munger State Trail in honor of the late James

L. Oberstar. The new segment, which will likely take years to complete will extend the trail from its current southern terminus in Hinkley into Chisago County.

• $450,000 to the Metropolitan Regional Park System from the lottery-in-lieu account to help supplement their operations and maintenance budget.

• $200,000 to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission from the Legacy Fund to develop a statewide system plan for regional parks and trails outside the seven county metropolitan area.

Introducing a new state parks and trails license plate

Minnesotans will soon have an option to buy a specialty license plate that sup-ports parks and trails. The plates have a dual function of allowing donations to state parks and trails while also earning the owner unlimited access to state parks without paying a separate admission fee.

The “state parks and trails license plate” can be obtained for a minimum donation of $50 annually that will be deposited into the state parks and trails donation account, plus a $10 fee to cover the costs of handling and manufacturing the plates. Estimates from Minnesota Management and Budget project the new license plates could generate up to $800,000 for state parks and trails annually.

The plates will be designed jointly by the Department of Public Safety and Natural Resources in consultation with interested groups.

The license plates will be available for purchase starting January 2016, at the earliest.

The state parks and trails plates will be similar to the current “critical habitat” plates.

DNR UpdatesWelcome new DNR director Erika Rivers

Last April, Erika Rivers was appointed director of the Minnesota DNR’s Divi-sion of Parks and Trails by Commissioner Tom Landwehr. Rivers replaces Court-land Nelson who retired after 10 years of service.

Rivers has a wealth of experience with Minnesota’s parks and trails. She steps into the position after being the DNR’s assistant commissioner since 2011. She also oversaw the master planning process for Lake Vermilion State Park, which models the “Next Generation” state park concepts of sustainability, connectedness and inspiring participation.

This “Next Generation” focus already seems to be a resonating as a theme for Rivers work as she has emphasized the need to connect with young families and the evolving demographics in Minnesota.

“Erika is a proven leader who comes into the job with the respect of parks profes-sionals throughout the state,” said Brett Feldman, executive director of Parks & Trails Council. “We’re looking forward to working with her on parks and trails issues.”

Erika Rivers with Brett Feldman at P&TC’s Day on the Hill in March 2014

Legislative Session RecapState’s budget surplus saves 16 parks and trails jobs


Parks & Trails Council was honored to have former Sen. Dave Durenberger

deliver the keynote speech at our Annual Dinner on March 18, 2014. More than 250 people attended the event that cel-ebrated the 60th anniversary of P&TC.

Durenberger’s Speech: People-Powered Policy: 60 years of preserving our natural heritage

Few people know the history of the en-vironmental movement in Minnesota as well as Durenberger. He served as Min-nesota’s U.S. Senator from 1978 to 1995. With this personal experience he shared the stories of the people who helped craft some of our state’s most momentous environmental policies.

In his speech, he explained that the earliest state parks were often created either as a result of, or in opposition to the vast timber extraction practices of the early 1900s. However, by the 1950s, the mentality that Minnesota’s natural resources were never-ending changed. Instead, the new mentality is captured in the quote by humorist Will Roger, “Buy land. They ain’t making any more of the stuff.”

Durenberger went on to say that it was dur-ing this era of the 1950-70s that a citizens’ legislature began to anticipate the impact that a growing economy and population would have on our natural resources. In just two short sessions, 1961 and 1963, fifteen state parks were authorized, from Ban-ning and Bear Head to Big Stone to Fort Snelling.

The theme of Durenberger’s speech was “People-Powered Policy,” and as such, it was laced with the names of individuals who worked to create the policy that pro-tects our natural resources today. Nearly every person mentioned, from C. R. Magney to Will Steger, understood the power of organizing as part of a group to make their efforts sustainable.

In particular, Durenberger explained the influence of P&TC. “We need another hour on the subject of P&TC’s role in trails policy. It’s so critical that our legis-lators recognize just how far people, and businesses and local government leaders in every county in Minnesota have come in just the last 30 years to bring us... the most healthful of all outdoor activities.”

Durenberger ended his speech with this thought: “In times that are as tough on public policymakers as they seem today, it is easy to take our natural resources for granted... But I’d like to remind you of where I started. There’s a reason other than visitor counts that we do this. Parks and

trails and heritage preservation bring people together.”

Individuals recognized for outstanding service

Several people were recognized for their contributions to parks and trails during the annual dinner. The prestigious Reuel Harmon Award was given to former con-gressman David Minge for his ten years of leadership in coordinating P&TC’s annual labor day bike ride. Minge says that it is a labor of love.

The Minnesota Climbers Association received a special award for their efforts in partnering with P&TC to save the boulders at Banning State Park.

Courtland Nelson, who retired as director of Minnesota’s state parks and trails was honored for his ten years of service.

David Minge (center) received the Reuel Harmon Award from Brett Feldman (l) and board president Mike Tegeder.

Members of the Minnesota Climbers Association receive award for efforts to save the land at Banning State Park.

P&TC Event Recap60th Annual Dinner marked by landmark speech on history of Minnesota’s parks movement

Sen. Dave Durenberger’s speech on Minnesota’s parks movement

➢ Read the transcript at: www.ParksAndTrails.org

➢ Watch it on YouTube:www.youtube.com/user/parksandtrails

Keynote speaker former Sen. Dave Durenberger with his wife Susan B. Foote and executive director Brett Feldman


Parks & Trails Council isn’t the only organization celebrating 60 years of

service this year; our community partner, Minnesota Rovers Outdoor Club, an all-volunteer outdoor club, is marking thir 60-year milestone with a multi-day event at Wild River State Park in August.

Founded in 1954 as the outings program of the University of Minnesota’s Coff-man Student Union, the Minnesota Rovers it is one of the oldest, most active outdoor clubs in the Upper Midwest. Gradually, the group outgrew its roots and became a nonprofit organization, independent from the U of MN.

The mission of the Minnesota Rovers Outdoors Club is to further an apprecia-tion of the outdoors by facilitating the organization of economical cost-shared trips, arranging informative programs, building and maintaining trails, and providing opportunities for leadership development.

“We’ve offered outdoor adventures every week of the year, since the organiza-tion began in 1954. What makes our club unique is that individual members coordinate trips,” says Barry Shillingford, president of the organization.

“Our trips run the gamut from bicycle

day rides in the metro area, weekend trips hiking, canoeing or skiing, to multi-week adventures on foreign soil. We believe we’re successful because we take an informal, cost-conscious, yet respon-sible approach to exploring the outdoors” says Shillingford.

Minnesota Rovers Outdoor Club Weekend celebration details

Aug. 8–10, 2014 Wild River State Park $30/person over 12 $15/youth ages 6-11; under age 6 free

The festivities will include:

• Friday night meet & greet• Saturday continental breakfast,

catered picnic dinner• Sunday continental breakfast• Tent camping at the

group campsites• Weekend activities

coordinated by membersWhether you are new to the club, a past member or have been involved for many years—everyone is encouraged to attend.

More information and registration is online at reunion60.mnrovers.org.

Community Partner EventsMinnesota Rovers Celebrates 60 Years

Rovers working on the Border Route Trail

Rovers on a snowshoeing trip

Submit Your Community Partner Announcement

If you are part of a Friends Group that is working on a project or event, let us know and we’ll share it either on our newsletter, website or facebook page.

Send to Lisa Filter [email protected] 651-726-2457

Thank you to the following individuals & businesses that donated to p&tc’s annual dinner silent auction & raffle

• Above the Falls Sports• Cove Point Lodge• The Dinner Detective Minneapolis• Eastside Food Co-op• Brett Feldman• Kelli Fifield at Tea Leaf Gallery• Larry Fitzgerald• Guthrie Theater• Rudi Hargesheimer

• The Loppet Foundation• Minnesota Trails Magazine• Minnesota Historical Society• Midwest Mountaineering, Inc.• Minnesota Center for Book Arts• Peace Coffee• Robyn Beth Priestley at

Painted Turtle Design• Dave Simpkins• Timber Trail Lodge

• Michael V. Tegeder• There And Back Books• Steven Thorne• Toro Company• Vertical Endeavors• The Willard Munger Inn


The land that Parks & Trails Council helped acquire in January 2013 for

the Mill Towns State Trail will be the site of a trail bridge by October of this year, if all goes according to plan. Construction began this spring and the pilings were be-ing set when this newsletter went to press.

This trail currently has relatively few miles paved (so few that no maps are currently distributed for the trail). Yet, this new bridge promises to be a well-used feature right from the start, as it will provide a scenic trail crossing connecting two regional parks that lie on either side of Lake Byllesby (a dammed portion of the Cannon River), near Cannon Falls. These two parks, while a stone’s throw away from each other, have been virtually unreachable to visitors on either side.

“I can hardly wait to ride on this bridge,” said Peggy Prowe, an active volunteer with the Friends of Mill Towns Trail, “but I think I’ll wait till it’s done.”

Joel Wagar, the DNR official overseeing the Mill Towns Trail development, said he has been working with park officials from Dakota County and Goodhue County to extend the trails within the two regional parks so they connect with the bridge. If this can be coordinated at the same time, the bridge will be open for public use dur-ing the planned Oct. 2014 bridge comple-tion date.

This bridge project was slowed down by a dam reconstruction project at the site, which was winding down at the end of May. The dam, which will be clearly visible

down river from the bridge, looks slightly different now as there are two gates where previously a cement wall used to be.

Once the bridge is completed and con-nected to the park trails, the next phase begins. This phase entails staking out and paving the adjoining three miles along the bluff line overlooking the Cannon River until it connects with a city trail in Can-non Falls, which connects to the Cannon Valley Trail. Trail planners already began initial sightings this spring. “We had a lot of fun walking along this area and envi-sioning the best views for where the trail will be,” said Prowe who accompanied DNR officials. Wagar expects the con-struction of this phase to begin May 2015 and wrap up in fall 2015.

This project highlights the patience and persistence required in building trails. The Mill Towns State Trail was authorized in 2000 as a 25-mile trail running along the Cannon River and connecting to the Cannon Valley Trail in Cannon Falls at its north end, running through North-field and then connecting to the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail in Faribault at its south end. This project marks a major milestone in the trails development.

Several other recent developments in the trail bode well for its future. The 2014 state bonding bill included $476,000 for the Mill Towns State Trail (see full list of bonding projects on p. 4) to acquire and develop its southern end from Faribault north to Dundas, using an abandoned rail bed. Aiding in this project, Prowe said that negotiations have just been finalized to acquire 50 acres near Dundas that have been in negotiations for 15 years.

Another boost for the southern terminius was the awarding of $764,000 from a fed-eral transportation grant to pave the seg-ment that connects to the Sakatah Singing Hills Trail by 2018. Two underpasses have already been constructed for this segment in Faribualt that will allow trail users to safely pass under the busy Hwys. 21 and 3.

Land Project UpdateMill Towns State Trail bridge at Lake Byllesby under construction

Parks & Trails Council members overlooking the Cannon River where the Mill Towns State Trail bridge is currently being built.

Segment of the Mill Towns State Trail currently being developed. P&TC helped to acquire a key segment along this 3-mile route.


One possible buyer for the land was a man who wanted to mine gravel from the property, according to Tettegouche State Park manager Phil Leversedge. Such a small parcel may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of the 9,489-acre park, but once a gravel mine takes up residence there it tends to stick out like a sore thumb.

With no other buyers interested and DNR unable to acquire it, the fate of this land seemed sealed. That’s when Mark and Joan Strobel stepped up to acquire it. The Strobels have been working to add land to Tettegouche for over 20 years. They were instrumental in adding 3,000 acres in the Palisade Valley and the Bean and Bear Lake areas to the park. The project involved intense negotiations with Lake County board members for a land exchange that, in the end, created a win-

win for all parties involved.

Mark Strobel said he didn’t want to see it become a gravel pit. “We thought maybe it will be our tent camping site, but that never happened,” explained Strobel. “Really it’s more convenient to stay in the campground.”

Earlier this year Strobel donated that land to Parks & Trails Council of Min-nesota. “We wanted it to continue to be preserved and by donating it to Parks & Trails we thought it would create the most benefit,” explained Strobel. “Not everything is a Gold Rock Point [a reference to the landmark area P&TC helped save at Slit Rock Lighthouse State Park], sometimes land needs to be acquired just to prevent an incompat-ible use like logging or housing.”

Land donations like this, where some-one buys the land to perpetuate P&TC’s mission are rare and greatly appreciated by everyone involved with the organiza-tion. “While we are never surprised by the Strobels’ generosity, we don’t take it for granted either,” said P&TC executive director Brett Feldman. P&TC plans to hold this land in trust until such time it can be transferred to the DNR.

This is hardly the first contribution Mark and Joan Strobel have made to P&TC. Their conservation efforts are entwined with P&TC. In fact, Mark credits the founders of P&TC with his knowledge in successfully acquiring land for parks.

He stumbled upon the organization in the 1980s when he wrote to the state parks director Don Davison, wondering why the highest waterfall in Minnesota

was not part of the state park system. Davison told Strobel he wasn’t the first to ask this question, but if he wanted to get involved in tackling it, go see the Parks & Trails Council. Strobel did and soon thereafter spearheaded P&TC’s campaign to create Grand Portage State Park where the waterfall is now protected.

Maria Ostmans’ story is nicely told in the July/Aug 2011 edition of Conservation Minnesota. Read the story and watch video interviews at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/julaug11/backwoods_manor.html

Strobel’s land donation at Tettegouchecontinued from page 1

project site 4 acres

TETTEGOUCHESTATE PARK

FACILITIES ANDFEATURES• 23 miles of hiking trails with

numerous scenic overlooks,including a self-guidedinterpretive trail to ShovelPoint

• 34 semi-modern campsites(flush toilets and showers)

• 13 cart-in campsites• Five picnic areas—Baptism

River, Nipisquit Lake, BeanLake, Tettegouche Camp andTrailhead

• Class I Wayside Rest Area atBaptism River

• Trout and salmon fishing inboth the Baptism River andLake Superior

• Northern pike and walleyefishing in four inland lakes(access by foot trail only)

• Four waterfalls on the BaptismRiver, including Minnesota’shighest waterfall

• 12 miles of designated ski trails

The park’s main winter attractionsare skiing, snowshoeing, hiking,camping and snowmobiling.

Snowmobiles may unload in the waysiderest parking lots. Trails from there allowthe snowmobilers to go to Finland, SilverBay and the North Shore State Trail.

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to Finland &North ShoreState Trail to Finland

Tettegouche Camp

FINLAND

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FOREST

FINLAND

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Tettegouche Trail

SawtoothTrail

Sawtooth Trail

RedDot Trail

Red Dot Trail

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toNorthShoreStateTrail

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toMt.

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trailhead3.4 miles

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PalisadeCreek

TettegoucheLake

Mic Mac Lake

Mosquito Cr.

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CrystalBay

LakeSuperior

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BeanLake

Cedar

Creek

NicadoLake

ILLGENCITYThe Cascades

Two StepsFalls

(no trailbridge)

HighFalls(trail

bridge)

FloatingBog Bay

CedarLake

LaxLake

TettegoucheLake

Mt. BaldyMosquito

Cr.

PapasayRidge

LakeSuperior

EckbeckCampground

PalisadeValley

ConservancyPines

RavenRock

SEE DETAILABOVE

H

K I

L

C

A

B

D

EF

G

J2.6 k

2.4 k

2.2 k

1.4 k

Superior

Hiking

Trai

l

Mt.Trudee

Mile Post

43 Cr.

Nicadoo Cr.

RoundMtn.

Blue Jay

Lodge(day-use shelter)

MicMacLake

Cabin C

Restrooms/Showers

Cabin D

Cabin A

Cabin B

toilet

TettegoucheBaptism RiverCampground

28

2425

26e 23

22e20e

21e19e

17

1816

15e

14e13

10e

12e

11e9e

5e3

4e2e

1e

6

78

29

30e31e

32e33e

34e

Riv

er

Bap

tism

Restroom/Shower

Walk-in Sites(23,24,25)

Road toTrailhead &

ParkEntrance

Walk-inSites

(6,7,8)

toilet

toilet

Service Roadto Lax Lake

Entrance1.5 miles

TrailheadParking for

TettegoucheCamp

TRAILSTrail JunctionsSuperior Hiking Trail(Hiking/Snowshoe)

Snowmobile

ATV/Snowmobile

Hiking/Cross-Country Skieasy

more difficult

most difficult

Hiking/Snowshoe

Self-guided Interpretive(Hiking/Snowshoe)

Lake Superior Water Trail(Kayak)

FACILITIES

Information/Office

Highway Rest Area

Picnic Area

Parking

Overlook

Waterfall

Campground

Backpack Campsites

Boat Ramp

Carry-in Access (kayak)

Kayak Campsite

Cart-in Campground

Rental Cabin

Primitive Group Camp

Private PropertyPublic Use Prohibited(except on designated trails)

State Park Lands Open to Hunting

A

Underlined site numbersare RESERVABLE

LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION ?The DNR has mapped the state showing federal,

state and county lands with their recreationalfacilities. Public Recreation Information Maps (PRIM) areavailable for purchase from the DNR gift shop, DNRregional offices, Minnesota state parks and majorsporting and map stores.

Check it out - you'll be glad you did.Because lands exist within the boundaries of this park that are not underthe jurisdiction of the D.N.R., check with the park manager if you plan touse facilities such as trails and roads other than those shown.

Kilometers

Miles1.00.5

0

0

0.5 1.0

NORTH

© 1/2010 by State of Minnesota,Department of Natural Resources

NORTH

SEE DETAIL BELOWand back of this sheet

Super

ior

Lake

Wat

er

Trail

IllgenFallsCabinILLG1

State Park Land Opento Hunting

State Park Land Opento Hunting

Park Entrance

Road toCampground& Trailhead

LakeSuperior

BaptismRiver

Highway Rest Areaand State Park

Entrance

Joan and Mark Strobel

Thank you to our corporate & business sponsors

www.midwestmtn.com

Minnesota

TRAILSA Parks & Trails Journal / MnTrails.com

www.mntrails.com

P&TC Land Committee Opportunity

The Land Committee oversees the selection and successful completion of land acquisition projects for P&TC, which has added nearly 11,000 acres to parks and trails in Minnesota since 1954.

P&TC is currently seeking pro-bono real estate attorneys willing to pro-vide legal counsel on land projects.

To learn more, contact Brett Feldman, executive director [email protected] 651-726-2457


Although the Bike MN with Parks & Trails Council event is already full, there are a few other ways you can be involved with the event.

Buy a Jersey! In celebration of the ten years that David Minge has led the bike event,

we have made this custom bike jersey that is inspired by Minge’s infamous plaid shirts (as seen on the cover of the Mankato Free Press in 2006). The jersey is generously sponsored by Erik’s Bike Shop.

Buy a jersey from our homepage www.parksandtrails.org.

Volunteers Needed Each year we rely on volunteers to help make Bike MN possible. This year’s event will be based at Jay Cooke State Park near Duluth and we are looking for volunteers.

Volunteer roles range from setting up signs to coordinating rest stops. Plus volunteers get discounts on the bike ride registration and special spots reserved. A full list of opportunities is online at www.parksandtrails.org/bikeMN2014.

There are a few other events where P&TC needs volunteers, such as tabling at the Midwest Mountaineering Out-door Expo and the State Fair.

If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities please contact Lisa Filter [email protected],

P&TC Event UpdatesBike MN registration full, but still more ways to be involved

Magney Mingle & Discover: State Park Rustic Architecture

Thurs. Aug. 7 | 4:30 - 7pm Wayzata, MN

Mingle and discover the picturesque log and stone buildings that give our parks their unique identity with a presentation tour from Rolf Anderson that delves into the philosophy and unique conditions that gave rise to these iconic designs.

Rolf Anderson is an architectural histo-rian who prepared National Register of Historic Places Nominations for 22 state parks in Minnesota. We will be hosted at the famously designed Phillip Johnson House on Lake Minnetonka, where the outside is designed to feel inside.

Magney Mingle & Discover: Bouldering at Banning

Sat. Sept. 13 | Time TBD Banning State Park

Take a tour of the majestic land that was recently saved at Banning State Park through the partnership with the Min-nesota Climbers Association and P&TC. The 108-acre parcel features sandstone boulders along the scenic Kettle River.

Climbers from the Minnesota Climbers Association will demonstrate the sport of bouldering. Opportunities will be offered to try the sport yourself, which involves climbing on a boulder with a cushy pad positioned underneath, just in case.

Upcoming P&TC Magney Circle Events The following events are offered to Magney Circle members in appreciation for the special dedication they show toward Parks & Trails Council ’s mission. Save the date and invitations with RSVP information will be sent closer to the dates.

Named in honor of Parks & Trails Council founder, Judge C. R. Magney, the Magney Circle consists of members

who help to advance the mission of P&TC with a generous contribution of $500 or more each year. Magney Circle members are invited to special events during the year. To join, visit www.parksandtrails.org/join_donate


Former U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar will be remembered as one of our state’s greatest outdoor recreation champions. He died in his sleep on May 3, 2014.

Today Minnesota is recognized for hav-ing one of the nation’s best trail systems and many people point to Oberstar, the son of an underground miner from northern Minnesota, as the impetus for this great achievement.

Oberstar served as U.S. Congressman from 1974 until 2011, making him the longest serving Congressman in Min-nesota history. From 2007 to 2011 he was chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, allowing

his vision and leadership on transporta-tion issues, including multi-use trails, to shine.

As an avid biker he had a personal under-standing of the joys of biking. In the first summer of his retirement he said he was logging more than 1,400 miles on bike.

During a press conference that he held after his 2010 electoral defeat, he listed the Gitchi-Gami State Trail as among his proudest achievements for the 8th district he represented.

Parks & Trails Council greatly appreci-ated Oberstar’s support for trails. He participated in several P&TC events throughout the years and could be counted on as a strong advocate for the work we do.

He was a man of many talents whose trailblazing on many issues will continue to inspire leaders for years. Today, and for generations to come, we all benefit from his commitment to trails.

In MemoriamJim Oberstar, a giant among trailblazers

Jim Oberstar at P&TC Annual DinnerjJim Oberstar biking during

The DNR is partnering with several organizations to host a Water Trails Tourism Summit - an interactive and educational gathering of communities, businesses, and user groups. This first-ev-er event will focus on how paddlesports can increase outdoor tourism, foster eco-nomic development, build community, and provide a better quality of life.

Learn how to make your community “paddle friendly,” engage local paddling clubs to organize and promote Water Trail events and stewardship, and more.

Updated information and a link to the registration will be posted on Parks & Trails Council website by Aug. 1, 2014.

Every spring the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota is amazed by the generosity of 3M and its current and former employees who contribute to the 3M Environmental Match program. The outpouring of support has made a tremendous impact on the Parks & Trails Council’s ability to acquire, protect and enhance critical land for the public’s use and benefit.

This year, 68 individuals donated through the 3M campaign for a total of $15,220, which was all matched by 3M, bringing the total to $30,440.

Thank you to everyone who was a part of this campaign, including past P&TC president Tim Farrell who dedicated time and resources to help make this successful.

Workplace Giving3M Match Raises $30,440 for P&TC

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota is a proud member of the Minnesota Environmental Fund, a workplace giving option comprised of 23 environmental nonprofits working to protect, conserve and restore Minnesota’s environment.

Visit the website to see if you can donate through your workplace or to find out how to add your workplace to the program.

www.MNENVIROFUND.org

Special Places ispublished three times a year by the

Parks & Trails Council of MinnesotaLisa Filter, editor

Parks & Trails Council of MN275 E. 4th St., Suite #250St. Paul, MN 55101-1626(651) 726-2457 or (800) 944-0707www.parksandtrails.org

Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDTwin Cities, MN

Permit #4936

Board of Directors

Executive CommitteeMike Tegeder, PresidentJulie Gugin, Vice PresidentRobert O. Erickson, TreasurerTimothy Eschweiler, SecretaryKathy Bonnifield, Director at largeAndrew Brantingham, Director at largeMark Larson, Director at largeTom Pavey, Director at large

DirectorsDorothy Anderson, Ph.D.Richard “Dick” BrainerdKathy ConnellyGary ConnettAnne FlueckigerVerónica JaralambidesBruce JohnsonPaul Karazija, M.D.Emily NesvoldJohn OldendorfTom Stoa

Honorary DirectorsRollis BishopSen. David DurenbergerThomas T. DwightMartin KelloggDavid MingeMike PrichardPeter Seed

Staff & Consultants

Joe BagnoliGovernment Relations Consultant

Vicki DunlopDatabase Administrator

Brett FeldmanExecutive Director

Lisa Filter External Relations Director

Beth HynesDatabase Administrator

Jess MannAdministrative Assistant

Andrew OftedalResearch & Policy Specialist

Sarah PsickGovernment Relations Consultant

Steve YoungLand Acquisition Consultant

Connect with us on Facebook!

facebook.com/ParksAndTrails

Special Places Newsletter - Summer (June) 2014

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Transcript of Special Places Newsletter - Summer (June) 2014