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Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County
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Contact Us
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A Short History
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Some Accomplishments
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Vision
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Mission
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Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County is a
501(c)(3) non-profit corporation for the public support and
appreciation of parks and trails.
Executive Director
Peggy Lynch, 651-689-3558; info@friendsoftheparks.org
The Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County
1621 Beechwood Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55116
Board Officers
President: Andy Holewa
Vice President: Mark Nolan
Treasurer: James R. Bricher
Board Members 2012
Duke Addicks
Richard Arey
Mary Bach
Tria Chang
Neil Franey
Steven Hauser
Pahoua Hoffman
Jon Kerr
Marilyn Lundberg
Kelly Mac Gregor
Scott Ramsay
Pierre Regnier
Timothy Seck
Jeanne Weigum
Director Emeritus
David Lilly
Truman W. Porter
Ex Offico
Mike Hahm, Director Parks and Recreation, St. Paul
Greg Mack, Director, Parks and Recreation, Ramsey County
Kevin Nelson, St. Paul Public Works
Terry Noonan, Environmental Services Manager, Ramsey Cty. Public Works
Jennifer Read, MN Dept. of Transportation
How the Friends of the Parks and Trails Began
In 1984 developers proposed building housing units in the middle of
Hidden Falls - Crosby Lake Regional Park. A group of citizens
banded together to protect this marvelous park. When the housing
proposal was defeated, the group continued to meet. The St. Paul
Foundation provided startup funding, via a
grant, to establish a permanent organization in 1985.
Work and Accomplishments in 20 Years of Progress
- 1985 the Friends initiated a study of the St. Paul and
Ramsey County park systems "A Plan for Parks, Trails, and Open
Space" to educate the public on park policy.
- This Parks Plan led to the establishment of Park
Commissions in St. Paul and Ramsey County and the amendment of the
City of St. Paul and Ramsey County charters for "no net loss" of
parkland. This study continues to be a seminal visionary document in
park, trail and open space planning and management.
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The Friends of the Parks Annual Tree Sale has added
over 6,000 trees to the parks in St. Paul, Ramsey County and the
Ramsey County Suburbs as a way to donate trees.
- Led efforts for the Gateway Trail connection to downtown St. Paul
and many other trail connections throughout Ramsey County.
- Restored five and one half miles of Mississippi River
bluffs to ecological health by removing exotic plants.
- Sponsored a City of St. Paul ordinance setting up a process if
park lands or facilities are leased.
- Study group in conjunction with McKnight Foundation on the
Save Open Space project for the Twin Cities Army Ammunition
Plant (TCAAP) area which secured the Rice Creek Regional Park.
- Led the effort to have MNDOT build a pedestrian/bicycle tunnel
under the ramps for I-35E as the new I-35E bridge was built and
continue to make sure pedestrian and bicycle connections are
included in all bridges.
- Worked with Metro Airport Commission to assure wetland
mitigation was completed at Pickeral Lake to compensate for
filling at the Downtown Airport.
- Prepared and published a Park Directory for all public lands
within Ramsey County.
- Today the Friends of the Parks have grown to hundreds of members,
please join us.
Vision of the Friends
The Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County are
dedicated to being a key community voice in the environmentally responsible
policy, development and use of local parks, trails and open space.
Mission of the Friends
- To promote public support and appreciation for parks and open space
- To educate the public and examine the goals and priorities of
park development
- To identify, protect and enhance environmentally significant areas
- To promote establishment and development of quality parks, trails
and bikeways
- To provide a vehicle for citizens to examine public policies
that affect parks, trails and open space
©1999 - 2012 Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County