Two Central Minnesota Parks Up for Potential Designation as ‘Regionally Significant’

(KNSI) – Two local parks are up for consideration to be designated as regionally significant parks by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission.

The commission helps channel funds to designated regional parks and trails to improve infrastructure and build new facilities where needed. More than $52 million in grant funding has been issued through the GMRPTC.

Several parks and trails in the St. Cloud area have been designated as regionally significant, like Quarry Park, Beaver Island Trail and Rockville Park. However, two more parks in East Central Minnesota are up for potential designation: Springvale Park in Isanti County and River Bluffs Park in Stearns County.

If those parks earn the designation, they will be eligible for future grants to put toward improvements and investments. An example: Stearns County intends on applying for grant funding to support the Beaver Island Trail expansion project.

In its 2021 strategic report, the GMRPTC says natural resource-based parks and non-motorized trails are top priorities in District 4, which includes Morrison, Stearns, Meeker, Benton, Sherburne, Wright, Isanti and Chisago counties.

“The Central District will anticipate and shape the needs of our changing community by focusing efforts on developing an interconnected system of high-quality, unique, well-located recreational facilities that highlight and preserve our natural resources for all generations,” the report reads.

Values for parks and trails in this district are water accessibility, preservation, connectivity and diversity of recreational experiences, the report says.

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