Enhance Minnesota State Parks Visitor Centers

Minnesota DNR - Division of Parks and Trails

Quick Facts

Recipient: 
Minnesota DNR - Division of Parks and Trails
Source: 
Parks & Trails Fund
Recipient Type: 
State Government
Status: 
In Progress
Activity Type: 
Analysis/Interpretation, Education/Outreach/Engagement
Counties Affected 
Statewide

This project will expand state park visitor center hours and enhance major exhibits. In order to provide both personal and non-personal learning opportunities to visitors, the DNR will expand the hours of operation at several visitor centers statewide. One visitor center exhibit upgrade will occur every year. This includes the design, construction and installation of the exhibits.

Status: 
In Progress
Start Date: 
July 2009
End Date: 
June 2011

Project Details by Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$335,490
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s) 

Visitor center hours will be expanded in 4 state parks by approximately 400 hours per park.

During the FY2010 & 2011 biennium, 2 parks will receive visitor center exhibit upgrades.

Measurable Outcome(s) 

Visitor center hours were expanded at Ft. Snelling, Blue Mounds, Sibley, and St. Criox state parks. Doing so allowed us to increase learning opportunities for state park visitors. The division will continue to offer expanded visitor center hours of operation at select park locations during the Spring of 2011. It is anticipated that our goal of providing 1600 hours will be achieved.

The first visitor center upgrade at Sibley State Park should be fully installed by April 2011. The second visitor center upgrade will be at Jay Cooke State Park and the RFP is currently being advertised. Jay Cooke exhibits are anticipated to be completed by December 2011.

Description of Funds: 
An annual report of park visitation will be prepared in mid-January, 2011. The report will help to document anticipated increases in visitor center use and programs provided. However, this report is for a calendar year period and not fiscal year; thus, the complete outcome will not be known until the end of the fiscal year. To date, $100,000 has been spent on major park visitor center upgrades.

Details/Reports

The First Year, DNR State Parks and Trails Allocations (2010)

Project Manager

Ms.
Pat
Arndt
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette
St. Paul
MN
55155
651-259-5578
Email: 
patricia.arndt@state.mn.us
Related Topics: 
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Education/Outreach, Recreation, Tourism, Analysis/Interpretation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Parks & Trails Fund, State Government, Statewide