Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kandiyohi County backs Prairie Woods’ $1 million ENRTF grant application
Summary
The Kandiyohi County Board unanimously approved Resolution 2026-17 supporting a roughly $1 million ENRTF (LCCMR) grant for Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center to fund ADA-accessible docks and trails, a wetland boardwalk, yurts and other phase‑one improvements; the nonprofit will supply the required capital match.
The Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners on March 17 voted to support Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center’s application for an Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund grant administered by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Jennifer Swinsson, Prairie Woods’ executive director, asked the board to adopt Resolution 2026-17 backing a roughly $1 million request to fund phase‑one improvements, including natural‑surface hiking trails and accessible routes, a wetland boardwalk, an ADA‑accessible canoe and kayak dock, and upgrades to the yurt area.
Swinnson told the board Prairie Woods served more than 20,000 visitors annually and logged about 1,400 canoe/kayak launch users last year, including school groups. “We’re proposing replacing the current yurt and adding an additional ADA‑accessible yurt and making 50% of that facility accessible,” Swinsson said. She emphasized the organization has experience with ENRTF grants and the reporting those awards require.
Swinsson said the capital grant requires a 25% local match; she told commissioners the organization plans to supply matching funds from donations and an agency fund held with a local community foundation. Commissioner Dwayne Anderson asked whether matching funds were required and where they would come from; Swinsson said Prairie Woods has dedicated funds plus other pending grants to meet the match.
The board moved and approved Resolution 2026-17 by voice vote. County staff noted, if funded, work would likely begin after design and permitting in 2028. The county’s resolution indicates the improvements would occur on county‑owned property operated by Prairie Woods through a county partnership; Swinsson said the application requests no county cash contribution for the grant.
The county’s action is an endorsement for the grant application; final award decisions rest with the LCCMR/ENRTF review process.
