The Division of Parks and Trails is engaged in critical work to connect people to the outdoors. As part of the work in this project area, the new touch-screen kiosk project will increase awareness about outdoor recreation opportunities at Minnesota state parks and trails among underrepresented groups by creating and installing accessible, touch-screen kiosks with information in multiple languages, in high-traffic, family-oriented locations. Connection plans deliver Minnesota State Parks and Trails' messages to new audiences.
We will add to the number of American Indians presenting artistic work and ideas, and expand our audiences to promote a vibrant, honest American Indian world view in Minnesota by supporting 3 short term projects led by artists in our coalition: The January Buffalo Show, RedTalk Symposium, and Live At the Buffalo Show CD Audio Mastering and short run printing.
Staffing, programming, supplies and contracted services to operate a Park Ambassador Program within the Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Regional Park that would focus on increasing usage by minorities and other underrepresented populations by conducting community outreach, meet and greet park users, education of regulations, address reservation/maintenance concerns and creating programs of interest to underserved segments of the public developed based upon surveys, engagement and outreach.
The 17 member Park and Trail Legacy Advisory Committee is appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, the Chair of the Metropolitan Council and the Chair of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission. The mission of the committee is to champion the 25 year "Parks and Trails Legacy Plan" by providing recommendations to enhance promotion, coordination, and accountability throughout implementation of the plan.
The position manages park and trail maintenance personnel and corresponding operations. The position is responsible for asset management of park facilities, grounds and natural resources (forest, prairie, wetland, shore land, wildlife).
Manage a community outreach and engagement program to increase and enhance use of the parks by focusing on activities that strengthen use of parks, engaging the community, agencies, and developing relationships with community members. Additional focus would be identifying and supporting opportunities for partnership with DC departments including social services, corrections, etc. to provide opportunities to connect clients to outdoors.
To provide grants to local units of government to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance outside of the seven county metropolitan area. Funding for this grant program is from the Parks and Trails Fund created by the Minnesota Legislature from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment passed by the voters in 2008. Beginning July 1, 2015 (fiscal year 2016), the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) assumed management of reviewing and awarding these grants.
Implement an integrated brand awareness and marketing campaign to increase awareness and familiarity of the park system service offerings to Dakota County residents and increase new use throughout the regional park system. The campaign will use print, digital and other media strategies to inform a broad and diverse audience with targeted approaches appropriate for those audiences.
