Grand Marais, MN – People who enjoy outdoor recreation in the Grand Marais area will soon have their experiences enhanced, with a $1,066,560 grant award for improvements at the Grand Marais Recreation Area.
The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) recently completed its extensive application review process and chose the Grand Marais Recreation Area and 11 other parks and trails around the state for $11,326,845 million in funding for Fiscal Year 2027. The Minnesota Legislature annually approves the recommendations for the grants with funding coming from the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund, one of four funds created by the 2008 Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. The Parks and Trails Legacy Funds are dedicated and may only be spent to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance.
“We are elated to have been selected for this grant from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission, which will allow us to construct a new entrance sign, as well as wayfinding and interpretive signage throughout the Rec Park. In addition to new signage, a new bathhouse with public restrooms strategically located near the Grand Marais harbor beach will also be built.” said Dave Tersteeg, Parks Manager for the City of Grand Marais. “Area residents and visitors already enjoy the relaxation and beauty they find at the Grand Marais Recreation Area, and this needed funding will make their visits better than ever.”
“Every grant awardee is deserving, and we commend them for how thoroughly they described their needs in their grant applications,” said GMRPTC Chair Rick Anderson. “It’s the dedicated people at the local level who make Greater Minnesota’s parks and trails really shine, and we’re pleased to assist them with their efforts.”
GMRPTC Executive Director Renee Mattson stated that the Commission has set aside funds to cover expenses related to environmental and archaeological reviews, as well as to support efforts for better accessibility and inclusivity in the 84 designated parks and trails across Greater Minnesota. Each fund contains $238,000, and applications will be accepted until the funds are expended.
“Legacy Funding is an amazing and far-reaching gift that Minnesotans chose to make happen by voting to tax themselves,” added Anderson. “Without Legacy dollars, many of these projects simply would not happen or would take many years before coming to fruition.”
The GMRPTC provides recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature for grants to parks and trails of regional significance in the 80 counties outside the seven-county metropolitan area. Counties, cities and Tribal governments are eligible to apply for regional designation. Since 2015 the GMRPTC has awarded more than $115 million in grants with community investment matches of almost $42 million. Grants are used to fund infrastructure improvements and repairs, land acquisitions, new facilities, trail rehabilitation, programming and more. Additional information may be found at gmrptcommission.org.
