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DNR announces plans for $150 million meant to improve access
The DNR has announced a rough guide for how the department will spend one-time money approved by the Minnesota legislature.
SAINT PAUL, Minn. —
The Minnesota DNR has announced a plan for the $149.9 million the state legislature approved for the department’s “Get Out MORE” investments.
The overall goal of this one-time funding is to ensure Minnesotans of all abilities and interests can enjoy the state’s parks and trails.
The DNR hasn’t decided which specific projects will receive funding in the coming years, but the department has narrowed down which specific areas will receive the funding.
Officials say $35.4 million will be spent on improving access to public land and outdoor recreational areas.
Of that money $15 million will be spent on accessibility improvements, $9.4 million on roads, $8 million on hiking and paved trails, $2 million on wayfinding and signage, and $1 million on track chairs and other adaptive equipment so more Minnesotans can enjoy state trails.
The DNR will also spend $9.5 million on modernizing camping and other infrastructure so more campers can spend the night in campsites across the state.
Around $60 million will be spent on the state’s fish hatcheries.
Of that $60 million the DNR says $24 million will be spent on the Waterville Hatchery, $19 million on the Crystal Springs Hatchery, $12 million on other hatcheries, and $5 million onshore fishing.
The department will also spend $35 million to modernize boating access to the state’s lakes and rivers and $10 million to restore streams and other water-related infrastructure.
A DNR spokesperson says the department will start working on some of these projects as early as this upcoming spring and summer.
“This Valentine’s Day, 2025, will mark the five-year anniversary of the premiere of ‘Love is Blind,” Vanessa said on the Season 7 finale. “And, it is gonna be the launch of Season 8, which takes place in Minneapolis.”
The episode also revealed three of the new cast members, one of whom, “Alex,” told Lachey Minneapolis is “not like a major city, but it’s also not a small town,” which he said is just one of the obstacles in his way of finding the one.
“I just never found the right person that clicked for me,” he said.
Meantime, you can bone up on Seasons 1-7 streaming now on Netflix.
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KARE 11 News at Noon shared more on Thursday about the impact that this book will have.
Gary Peterson and his friends are collecting donations to help people in their community.
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — A St. Louis Park pumpkin display is raising money for their local food shelf.
Gary Peterson started carving and painting three pumpkins over a decade ago. It’s now grown to over 100.
“I’ve heard people say they’ve come from Hutchinson,” he said.
Peterson along with two of his neighbors have spent the last 14 years growing their display, turning it into a neighborhood event.
“It’s been incredible, I just can’t believe how much this has expanded,” he said. “We did it just because we like to and then people were asking to give us money to cover the cost.”
The trio refused to take people’s money, but then one of them had an idea.
“My neighbor, Steve Leensvaart, just mentioned how about we just do it for the STEP program and the STEP program is our local food shelf in St. Louis Park,” he said.
So, they started to collect donations to help families in need. They’ve raised hundreds of dollars and donated hundreds of pounds of food over the last few years, carving for a cause.
“It is more gratifying every year,” Peterson said.
He estimated they have over 100 unique pumpkins in their yard. They’ve created the displays and come up with new family-friendly concepts for people to enjoy. Peterson said about 30 of their neighbors carved their own pumpkins to be put on display, and it’s been a big hit.
“It’s great. In the last couple of years, it’s turned into more of a neighborhood event,” said Sarah Durch.
“We love this Halloween display, we come every year to see it. We love that the whole community gets involved to craft and carve the pumpkins,” said Jami Gordon-Smith.
“The shading and the details are unbelievable,” said Elizabeth Hanson.
Hanson hopes to take her 2-year-old son trick or treating for the first time but is worried the cold temperatures might keep them indoors.
“We’re going trick or treating hopefully,” she said. “He’s going to be a firefighter, but we’re probably going to have sweatshirts maybe like two pairs of sweatpants underneath. We’re going to be bundled up.”
Gordon-Smith said her family will be out Halloween night no matter the weather.
“Halloween only comes once a year, so you really have to take advantage and enjoy the evening no matter what the weather brings,” she said. “Guess it’s not totally unheard of in Minnesota to have a cold Halloween, but we are going to try and modify and do a lot of layers underneath our costumes and then we might add some hats and maybe some warmer socks.”
Durch also isn’t surprised they’re in for another chilly night.
“Well, what would Halloween be without Minnesota cold? I feel like every time you plan a costume you have to plan for how you can make this work if it’s snowing,” she said.
Peterson said they will have a bonfire and some hot chocolate and cider on Halloween to keep trick-or-treaters warm while they look at their pumpkins.
Click here to learn where you can see the pumpkins and how you can donate.
