Newsletters - Metropolitan Council

Posted In: Parks

Date: 1/12/2021

Parks plan update creates new “bridging facility”

Bridging facilities, designed to attract people to the regional parks who have not visited before, are part of an update to the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 9/22/2020

Comment on the draft parks plan via video

In addition to the usual methods of hearing responses from residents across the region, we invite you to comment via short videos about our draft parks update.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 8/26/2020

Draft plan for expanding regional parks and trails goes public

Residents across the region are being asked to weigh in on the draft update of the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan, which calls for expanding the network of parks and trails.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 8/13/2020

Grants help grow metro parks and trails

The investment reflects the region’s commitment to preserve natural resources, and encourage the use of regional parks among residents of all ages, incomes, races, and ethnicities.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 7/6/2020

Regional park visits reach new high in 2019

Visits to regional parks and trails continued to trend upward in 2019, climbing to an estimated 63.3 million visits. The estimate is the highest on record and represents a 6.3% increase over 2018.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 5/21/2020

Enjoy our regional parks and new “tree hugs”

Now is a good time to enjoy the regional parks, using proper social distancing, of course.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 3/12/2020

Engaging community is focus of parks equity planning

A new equity analysis is required for park agencies to show how they engaged the public in developing park and trail master plans, or amending those plans, and the outcomes of the engagement.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 1/17/2020

Art shanty celebrates regional parks, helps build climate resilience

Visitors to the bright red shanty are invited to write a love letter to their favorite regional park. For every five visitors who write a letter, a tree will be planted at Crosby Farm Regional Park.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 12/23/2019

Castles and owls and sledding, oh my!

Regional parks offer fun winter options for every age and interest, from Ice Castles to the Art Shanty Project to cross-country skiing, sledding, skating, and much more.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 12/16/2019

Council grants aim to address equity in regional parks

The story of the region’s original people will be better told at three regional park facilities, thanks to grants we awarded in December.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 9/9/2019

Little-known Kingswood regional park is a tiny jewel in Hennepin County

If you want a hefty dose of solitude with your afternoon hike, you can’t do much better than Kingswood Park, a small slice of heaven on the shores of Little Long Lake in west Hennepin County.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 8/19/2019

Parks study to focus on youth

Youth-serving nonprofit organizations are invited to apply to collaborate on the project and will be compensated for their work.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 8/16/2019

Council awards grants to acquire property for regional parks and trails

The abundance of places to enjoy the outdoors and recreate contributes to livability in the Twin Cities and our health and well-being.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 7/16/2019

Travel on butterfly wings to a regional park

Buses and trains aren’t just for getting to work, or the doctor, or a professional sports game. Several Metro Transit routes go to regional parks.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 6/28/2019

Met Council grants will promote equity in regional park use

Council policy makers want to make sure that residents of all ages, abilities, incomes, ethnicities, cultures, and national origins can enjoy the region’s abundance of regional parks and trails.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 6/14/2019

Visits to regional parks hit all-time high

Regional parks in the metro area got nearly 60 million visits in 2018, an increase of 2.6 percent over the previous year and the most visits of any year on record.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 2/19/2019

Parcel by parcel: Expanding Above the Falls Regional Park

The Council approved a land swap that will allow the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to go ahead with plans to expand Above the Falls Regional Park.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 12/14/2018

Council approves update to 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan

The update focuses on stewardship of the Regional Parks System and maintaining or enhancing the system, one of the region’s most popular features.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 9/13/2018

Council grants help park agencies purchase land

On Sept. 12, the Metropolitan Council awarded close to $1.7 million to Washington County and the Three Rivers Park District to buy land for regional parks and trails.

Posted In: Communities, Parks, Planning

Date: 8/14/2018

Council’s new Parks Ambassador hopes to ‘bring parks to the people’

After meeting with regional parks leaders and park implementing agency staff, she'll work with community members and park staff to gather input about what people want and need in our regional parks.

Posted In: Communities, Parks, Planning

Date: 7/18/2018

Annual regional parks visits top 58 million in 2017

Improved methodology allows for more accurate count, shows more visits than previously thought

Posted In: Communities, Parks

Date: 4/20/2018

Metro dog parks provide social time for dogs and their human companions

Since the first dog park opened in Elm Creek Park Reserve in 1983, dog parks have spread to nearly every corner of the region, and usage has grown every year.

Posted In: Communities, Parks

Date: 12/28/2017

Theodore Wirth Regional Park: Winter quiet, recreation amid the city

Theodore Wirth Regional Park is an especially attractive destination during winter: cross-country skiing, sledding, tubing, snowshoeing, skijoring, snowboarding, and hot chocolate in the chalet!

Posted In: Communities, Parks, Planning

Date: 11/22/2017

Creating connections for people to the regional parks

The Council created the Parks Ambassador program to increase awareness of regional parks by communities of color, and invite them into the parks.

Posted In: Communities, Parks

Date: 9/18/2017

Regional park visits climb to nearly 48 million in 2016

The region’s vast network of parks and trails got nearly 48 million visits last year, a one percent increase over the previous year, and an increase of 11 million visits since 2006.

Posted In: Communities, Parks

Date: 9/12/2017

New Regional Parks Map reflects the rich cultural heritage of our region

People from a wide variety of communities, and many ages and abilities, will see themselves reflected in the Council’s newly updated Regional Parks Map.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 8/9/2017

Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park: Picturesque setting and family favorite features

Now peaking at the height of summer, Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park is buzzing with family-oriented activities like swimming, picnicking, fishing, children’s camps, and special programs.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 6/13/2017

Visit our regional parks: St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park

‘Something for everyone’ includes camping, boating, swimming.

Posted In: Communities, Parks

Date: 4/18/2017

Trail offers scenic lake views, small town charms, and plenty of history

The 15-mile Lake Minnetonka LRT trail offers scenic views of the big lake and local wetlands – but plenty more as it wends through canopies of shade trees, open meadows and old neighborhoods.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 3/21/2017

Visit your regional parks: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve

Unique water trail, outstanding bird habitat among park’s features.

Posted In: Parks, Planning

Date: 2/9/2017

Parks ambassador program will use a community-driven effort to connect people with parks

New Regional Parks Ambassador program will serve as a bridge between communities that don’t use the regional parks and the Regional Parks System.

Posted In: Parks, Planning

Date: 10/6/2016

Small share of Legacy funds to be spent to ‘connect people and the outdoors’ in the regional parks

The Council has set a minimum percentage of Minnesota Parks and Trails Legacy funding to be spent on “connecting people and the outdoors” in the Regional Parks System.

Posted In: Communities, Parks

Date: 9/20/2016

Thousands turn out to celebrate the Monarch butterfly

The Eighth Annual Minneapolis Monarch Festival - Festival de la Monarca - brought together butterfly, music and art enthusiasts from across the region to Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park

Posted In: Parks

Date: 8/12/2016

People with disabilities, advocates share ideas for regional parks planning

Accessibility starts with giving park locations a street address so that Metro Mobility can get there.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 7/19/2016

Regional park and trail visits drop slightly in latest count

The number of annual visits to regional parks and trails in the seven-county metro area in 2015 was 47.3 million, according to newly released estimates from the Metropolitan Council.

Posted In: Communities, Parks, Planning

Date: 7/14/2016

“Toolkit” to gauge progress toward more equitable park use

The region's people of color visit regional parks far less than than their share of the population would suggest. The Council is working to broaden park use among a changing population.

Posted In: Communities, Parks, Planning

Date: 3/18/2016

Council engages agencies, concerned groups toward more equitable park use

While the number of park visits continue to climb, a Council survey shows that visitors do not represent the overall population makeup of the region, specifically for communities of color.

Posted In: Communities, Parks

Date: 7/29/2015

Regional park and trail visits grew to more than 48 million in 2014

Annual visits to regional parks and trails in the seven-county metro area grew to 48.7 million in 2014, about 1.5 million more visits than 2013, an increase of 3.3%.

Posted In: Communities, Parks

Date: 2/11/2015

Council adopts Parks Plan with new focus on access and equity

The plan reflects the Council’s vision for the region over the next 30 years, as described in Thrive MSP 2040. One key area of focus in the plan is equitable use of parks by all residents.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 8/8/2014

Minnehaha Regional Park gets a ‘universally accessible’ play area

One of two new play areas at Wabun Picnic Area is accessible to children and adults of all physical abilities.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 7/30/2014

Regional park visits grew to more than 47 million in 2013

Annual visits to regional parks grew to over 47 million in 2013, an increase of 3% over 2012 and nearly 30% since 2004. The Mall of American has about 40 million visitors a year.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 6/27/2014

Regional Parks system: forty and fabulous!

The Regional Parks System is turning the big 4 – 0 this year, and the parks have never looked better!

Posted In: Parks

Date: 6/18/2014

When temperatures soar, cool off in the regional parks

It’s time to break out the sunscreen and swimsuits. When the temperatures soar, metro area regional parks are a great place to “beat the heat.”

Posted In: Communities, Parks

Date: 7/11/2013

Como Zoo’s edible garden feeds animals and people

The Chipotle Edible Garden allows visitors to see how edible gardens can both influence landscape design and provide an abundance of produce throughout the season.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 4/2/2013

Proposed new park facility will provide water resources education

April 15 public hearing will discuss adding the Kingswood Special Recreation Feature on Little Long Lake in Minnetrista to the regional parks system.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 9/4/2012

Volunteers help keep regional parks safe, beautiful

Thousands of people volunteer hundreds of thousands of hours each year in the regional parks and trails system.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 7/27/2012

Council adds two trails to regional system

Council approved the addition of the Intercity Regional Trail and the Minnetrista Regional Trail Search Corridor to the 2030 Regional Parks Policy Plan.

Posted In: Parks

Date: 7/20/2012

Archery gains popularity in regional parks

Public interest in the centuries-old sport continues to grow, and regional parks across the seven-county area are offering archery programs to accommodate the demand.

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