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. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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 Read more
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. Read more
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! Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
Posted In: Parks Date: 6/13/2017 Visit our regional parks: St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park ‘Something for everyone’ includes camping, boating, swimming. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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 Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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%. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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! Read more
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.” Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more