Encourage trail use without compromising their quality. Protect legacy trees in parks and along trails. Honor native burial grounds and other historic sites. Preserve the 77 acres of grasslands, now a bird habitat, just east of Battle Creek Regional Park.
These are among the issues of interest that members shared in our recent digital survey. Thanks to those of you who participated!
As we enjoy warmer weather, we also note your interest in the following activities led by Friends of the Parks and Trails board members:
- Trash removal in parks and along trails.
- Planting or maintaining trees.
- Taking a bird-watching hike.
- Enjoying an easy-paced bike tour of historic sites.
- Removing buckthorn.
Some of you offered specific ideas of your own: “Inventory and label trees. Treat the city as an arboretum, identify a designation for city champion trees.” Other times, ideas collided. One member is concerned about the poorly maintained bike trails in his neighborhood; another member seeks an end to the “incessant trail building.”
One longtime member and volunteer referred to Fort Snelling as the “Indian concentration camp from the 1850s era” and suggested that Friends of the Parks and Trails, in concert with Indigenous-led groups, work “to educate our local population on the factual history of Native Americans in the Twin Cities.”
Walking, wildlife-watching, biking and paddling are among the outdoor activities that our members enjoy. Check out our roster of summer activities, and thanks again for your feedback and engagement!
Please join us for any of the following:
- Thursday, July 18, 5–7 p.m., trash pickup along the Bruce Vento Regional Trail, near Lake Phalen, followed by a trip to Dairy Queen. Click here for details.
- Thursday, August 3, 6–7:45 p.m., board meeting, Saint Anthony Park Library, 2245 Como Ave., St. Paul.
- Sunday, August 13, 1:30–3 p.m., bird-watching guided walk, a collaboration with two other environmental groups. Click here for details.
- Thursday, September 7, 6–7:45 p.m., board meeting, Rondo Community Library, 461 Dale St. N. (at University, on Metro Transit Green Line).
Remember to access our Friends of the Parks and Trails Facebook page, where you can “like” and “share” our posts, or create your own.
