Sen. Hochschild seeks $2 million to boost local parks and trail grants
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Summary
Sen. Hochschild told the Senate Capital Investment Committee that Senate File 4420 would add $2 million to two DNR matching-grant programs for local parks and trail connections, arguing demand far exceeds the governor's $1 million recommendation and that funds serve communities statewide.
Sen. Hochschild on Tuesday asked the Senate Capital Investment Committee to add $2 million to two Department of Natural Resources (DNR) matching-grant programs that fund local parks and connector trails.
The request, laid out in Senate File 4420, would split money between the DNR's outdoor recreation grant program and the local trail connection program. "Regardless of where you live in Minnesota, getting outside for recreation is important to all of us," Sen. Hochschild said, arguing the governor's $1 million recommendation "is simply not enough given the heavy demand."
Why it matters: These grants help cities, townships and counties pay for nearby parks and safe connections to schools and libraries. Testimony from local parks directors highlighted widespread need and examples of projects that relied on the program, including trail extensions and accessibility upgrades.
Joe Tartt, parks director for Chisago County and chair of the Greater Minnesota Parks & Trails group, told the committee the program funds projects "that make recreation safe and easy" and cited recent awards to Perham, Owatonna and Minneapolis. Elizabeth Wavell, a lobbyist for the Greater Minnesota Parks & Trails organization, explained the DNR prioritizes projects using a SCORP-based formula and considers match and readiness; she said typical grants range from roughly $50,000 to $250,000 or $500,000.
The committee took no final action but "laid over" the bill for possible inclusion in the bonding package.
The committee is expected to consider bonding priorities in coming weeks as it assembles a larger package.
