Greetings! 2023 has been an exciting, energetic and encouraging year of rebuilding for Friends of the Parks and Trails.
The board of directors has welcomed six new members of diverse ages, ethnicities, gender identities and backgrounds to bring a variety of perspectives and talents to our work. Together with Executive Director Amy Gage, who joined us in September 2022, we are focusing anew on our revitalized mission of advocating for equity and access across our award-winning city and county park systems.
Highlights of our advocacy and accomplishments this year have included:
- Our ongoing work with Friends of Maplewood Nature, Friends of the Mississippi River, the Saint Paul Audubon Society and others to protect the Ramsey County Corrections grasslands just east of Battle Creek Park; that work is ongoing, and we thank Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt for her advocacy and support.
- Actively promoting the county’s and Metro Transit’s proposed realignment of the Purple Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route off of the Bruce Vento Regional Trail and onto White Bear Avenue, where it can better serve businesses, seniors and others along a high-density route without disrupting wildlife and recreational use of the trail. Move Minnesota is a partner in this work.
- Advocating for city Neighborhood STAR funds to enable better public access to Pig’s Eye Park, a project led by outgoing Ward 7 St. Paul City Councilmember Jane Prince.
Working in partnership, together
We could not sustain this vital advocacy without your financial support. Please renew your membership (contact Amy at amy@friendsoftheparks.org if you’re unsure when your membership expires). Or make a special year-end contribution to support our advocacy and administrative work as we undertake an exciting new project, Peggy’s Grove, in partnership with Frogtown Green and the St. Paul Forestry department.
The focus of our Give to the Max Day campaign in November, Peggy’s Grove will honor founder and first executive director Peggy Lynch for her many years of dedication to ensure beautiful, accessible parks for everyone.
Thank you for considering a year-end contribution or a membership renewal to support your city and county parks and trails.