DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Apply For And Execute State Fiscal Year 2026 - 2027 Parks And Trails Legacy Fund Grants
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the Parks Director to submit applications to the Metropolitan Council for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026 - 2027 Parks and Trails Legacy Fund (PTLF) grants and to execute the grant agreements, once awarded.
SUMMARY
In 2008, the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment was passed, funded by a three-eighths percent increase in the State sales tax over a 25-year term. Minnesota parks and trails of statewide and regional significance receive 14.25 percent of the Legacy funds. Parks and Trails Legacy Funds are legislatively allocated to the Metropolitan Council (Met Council), the Department of Natural Resources, and the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Board. The Met Council’s share of the PTLF is allocated to the 10 regional park implementing agencies through grants based
on Minn. Stat. § 85.53, subd. 3.
The 2011 State of Minnesota Parks and Trails Legacy Plan specifies four strategic directions for the use of the PTLF: 1) connect people and the outdoors (e.g., programs, marketing), 2) acquire land, create opportunities (e.g., land acquisition and capital projects), 3) take care of what we have (e.g., maintenance), and 4) coordinate among partners (e.g., collaboration).
Based on the historic 40 percent legislative appropriation to the Metropolitan Regional Park System, Dakota County is estimated to receive $4,095,681 for the SFY 2026—2027 biennium. The proposed applications for consideration have been developed with consideration to both the needs of the Dakota County Parks system and the strategic directions for the use of the PTLF.
Dakota County’s proposed applications for SFY26 and SFY27 are for the following:
-Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Improvements $1,200,000 (in year 1)
-Whitetail Woods Regional Park Improvements $1,308,689 ($308,689 in year 1 and $1,000,000 in year 2)
-Parks Outreach Program Support $200,000 (for two years)
-Parks Outreach and Engagement Coordinator $246,862 (for two years)
-Parks Tribal Liaison $100,000 (for two years)
-Plant Propagation Program and UMN Extension Partnership $300,000 (for two years)
-Lake Byllesby Regional Park Improvements $740,130 (in year 2)
The proposed PTLF applications for the Miesville Ravine Park Reserve, Lake Byllesby Regional Park, and Whitetail Woods Regional Park projects are aligned with the Adopted 2025—2030 Parks Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The proposed application would also extend the Outreach Program and the Outreach Engagement Coordinator position per the 2017 Visitor Services Plan, as well as support the Parks Marketing, Awareness, and Promotions Plan and the Spring Lake Park Reserve Master Plan by continuing the Tribal Liaison role for two years. These requests support the implementation of the Adopted 2024 Miesville Ravine Park Reserve, 2012 Whitetail Woods Regional Park, and 2018 Lake Byllesby Regional Park Master Plans, the 2050 Vision Plan for Parks, Greenways, and Natural Systems, 2017 Parks Visitor Services Plan, and the 2017 Natural Resources Management System Plan.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorize the Parks Director to submit applications to the Metropolitan Council for SFY 2026—2027 PTLF grants and to execute awarded grants subject to approval as to form by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Awarded grants will contribute a total of $4,095,681 in external revenue to the 2026 and 2027 Parks CIP and Operations budgets. Should any change occur to Dakota County’s appropriation, the County Board will have the opportunity to evaluate and provide direction as part of the 2026 and 2027 budget development processes.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment passed in 2008, funded by a three-eighths percent increase in State sales tax over a 25-year term to provide funding to parks and trails of statewide and regional significance; and
WHEREAS, the Parks and Trails Legacy funds are legislatively allocated to the Metropolitan Council, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Board; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council’s share of the Parks and Trails Fund is allocated to the 10 regional parks implementing agencies through Parks and Trails Legacy grants based on Minn. Stat. § 85.53, subd. 3; and
WHEREAS, the 2011 Parks and Trails Legacy Plan specifies four strategic directions for the use of Parks and Trails Legacy funds: 1) connect people and the outdoors (e.g., programs, marketing), 2) acquire land, create opportunities (e.g., land acquisition and capital projects), 3) take care of what we have (e.g., maintenance), and 4) coordinate among partners (e.g., collaboration); and
WHEREAS, based on the historic 40 percent legislative appropriation to the Metropolitan Regional Park System, Dakota County is estimated to receive $4,095,681 for the State Fiscal Year 2026—2027 biennium; and
WHEREAS, the proposed grant applications are:
-Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Improvements $1,200,000 (in year 1)
-Whitetail Woods Regional Park Improvements $1,308,689 ($308,689 in year 1 and $1,000,000 in year 2)
-Parks Outreach Program Support $200,000 (for two years)
-Parks Outreach and Engagement Coordinator $246,862 (for two years)
-Parks Tribal Liaison $100,000 (for two years)
-Plant Propagation Program and UMN Extension Partnership $300,000 (for two years)
-Lake Byllesby Regional Park Improvements $740,130 (in year 2); and
WHEREAS, the proposed Parks and Trails Legacy Fund applications for the Miesville Ravine Park Reserve, Lake Byllesby Regional Park, and Whitetail Woods Regional Park projects are aligned with the Adopted 2025-2030 Parks Capital Improvement Program; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Parks and Trails Fund application would also extend the Outreach Program and the Outreach Engagement Coordinator position per the 2017 Visitor Services Plan, as well as support the Parks Marketing, Awareness, and Promotions Plan and the Spring Lake Park Reserve Master Plan by continuing the Tribal Liaison role for two years; and
WHEREAS, these requests support the implementation of the Adopted 2024 Miesville Ravine Park Reserve, 2012 Whitetail Woods Regional Park, and 2018 Lake Byllesby Regional Park Master Plans, the 2050 Vision Plan for Parks, Greenways and Natural Systems, 2017 Parks Visitor Services Plan, and the 2017 Natural Resources Management System Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Parks Director to submit applications for State Fiscal Year 2026—2027 Parks and Trails Legacy Fund grants and to execute awarded grants subject to approval as to form by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: PTLF and O & M Agency Shares Tables
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Georg Fischer
Author: Niki Geisler