Recreation Development

Recreation Planning is vital to the Upper Minnesota River Valley as a means to ensure a high quality of life and a variety of experiences and services to visitors, potential businesses, and current and future residents of the region. Numerous recreation opportunities are available including hunting on private and publicly-owned lands, fishing, prairie hiking, camping, canoeing, and wildlife viewing for Bald Eagles, Greater Prairie Chickens, waterfowl and other game that call this area home. Further, the Upper Minnesota River Valley offers three Scenic Byways (Glacial Ridge, King of Trails, and the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway), in addition to the ever-growing system of paved trails in the region. All of these areas are expanding, and assistance is available to expand upon these recreational opportunities. The UMVRDC is here to help!

Park Planning & Development

The UMVRDC can assist units of government with park planning & design, mapping available or potential resources and boundaries, and grant writing to improve the park system within the region. As the RDC has been involved in numerous grant writing opportunities through various grant programs, visit the Park Development page for more information on how the RDC can aid you in park planning.

The UMVRDC is available to assist units of government with park planning & design, mapping of resources or boundaries, and grant writing. The RDC has written a large variety of grants through MnDNR (see the list of current grants available from DNR at their website) and through MnDOT’s Transportation Enhancement Program.

View Lac qui Parle County Park Master Plan

Funding Opportunities

Transportation Enhancement Program (MnDOT Program) that coordinates Minnesota transportation projects with federal dollars. See the Transportation Program Page (link) for more information.

Trail Planning & Development

The UMVRDC has worked extensively with units of government to develop a trail system throughout the region. Throughout this process the RDC has amassed detailed resources regarding trail development and funding opportunities.

Need assistance planning and funding a trail in your jurisdiction? Look below at what the UMVRDC can do for you!

Trail Planning Tips

• View the Trail Development Guide (click here) created by UMVRDC Staff that details a planning process and resources available to those working on trail projects. The RDC can provide information regarding trail design standards, average trail costs/maintenance, and construction funding sources.
• The UMVRDC has a high success rate in attaining grants for trails in the region from state, federal and private funding sources. Staff are involved in the review committee of the Transportation Enhancement Funds (link) which often provides funding for trail construction.
• Guiding Parks & Trails Finding the right grant for your project can be a challenge. That’s why the Minnesota Parks and Trails Council put together this 34-page guide. The guide provides details on 15 grant opportunities and offers specific deadlines, average grant amounts, eligibility and more.

Bike Trails – Is your community bike friendly?

Promote health and wellness, physical activity, and livable communities by ensuring your community encourages biking. Residents of bike friendly communities have access to safe physical activity. Routes and paths are assets that a community can promote to tourists and residents. Bike friendly communities enjoy health, economic and environmental benefits.

Is there a place to park bikes? Could your library “check out” bike locks? Where can people bike safely in your community?

Planning Tips

• Community scorecard: Is your community bike friendly?

Funding Opportunities

• Visit AmericaBikes.org to find resource and partnership opportunites