State Parks Acquisition

Privately owned lands exist within the designated boundaries of state parks throughout Minnesota. Purchase of these lands from willing landowners for addition into the state park system makes them permanently available for public recreation and enjoyment and facilitates more efficient management. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is using this appropriation to acquire 87 acres in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, located northeast of Brainerd, and 17 acres in Whitewater State Park, located between Rochester and Winona.

Overall Project Outcome and Results
The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund funding allowed for the following:

• Ownership of approximately 87 acres in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. Acquisition of this parcel provides for unified ownership of park-managed land and includes a key access point into the recreation area. This parcel also has over one mile of water frontage on three lakes within the recreation area.
• Ownership of a 17-acre parcel in Whitewater State Park. Acquisition of this parcel provides protection on the Whitewater River and adjacent to the park visitor center. The current trail system lies close to the boundary and could now be extended for additional river resource interpretation. The parcel also provides a natural buffer between the visitor center and private development.
• Ownership of approximately 20 acres of land in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park due to partially funding from the Trust Fund. This property is identified by Minnesota County Biological Survey as having outstanding biodiversity significance and has not been logged in over 100 years. The spring ephemerals prevalent in this area of the park are now protected. The site is also key to maintaining the closed canopy and diverse understory characteristic of 'big woods' in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.

All acquisitions were from willing sellers, and located within the statutory boundary of state parks.