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P&TC makes its first land

purchase: the only section of

undeveloped, sandy beach

along the St. Croix River, which

leads to the establishment of

Afton State Park.

1968

Minnesota is renowned for theamazing natural resources thathave been preserved throughout thestate for everyone to enjoy. Whilemother nature played the extraordinaryrole of creating these features, it hasbeen the efforts of dedicated citizensthat ensured they were protected asparks and trails.

Tis year Parks & rails Councilcelebrates 60 years of preserving landfor parks and trails and providing anindependent, forthright voice to expressthe needs of our states system. Overthe years, these efforts have resulted

in the establishment of numerous newparks and trails, the acquisition of criti-cal parcels within parks and trails, andthe necessary appropriations from thestate legislature to care for our parksand trails.

While originally limited in member-ship to 16 people, today P&C hasover 3,000 members. Tese members

provide the most significant sourceof revenue for the organization, andensure that these places are protectedfor future generations.

parks & tra ils council of mn ww w.p ar ks an dt ra il s . or g

6 Summer 2014 Minnesota Trails

on State Park (established through efforts spearheaded by P&TC in 1968)

Itasca established as

the first State Park

in Minnesota.

1935

State Parks begin to be

managed as a division.

Prior to this they were under the

forestry division and largely man-

aged by local advisory committees.

9 new state parks created with

one omnibus bill drafted by

P&TC:

Banning, Glacial Lakes, Lake Louise, Maplewood,

Great River Bluffs, Rice Lake, Sakatah Lake, Soudan

Underground Mine, Upper Sioux Agency.________

Now lets build trails!

P&TC and spearheads efforts to create

foot, horse, cycle and canoe trails.

1963

Six decades of P& TC

New innovation

of nature trails and

naturalist-led hikes

become part of the

state park experience.

Late 1940s

1954

P&TC established as a statewide

citizens advisory committee.

This occurs at the urging of state park director U.W.

Hella during a meeting of Itasca State Park As-

sociation. At this time P&TC is called the Minnesota

Council of State Parks. Key decision made for P&TCto be an independent, non-government entity.

1967

First state trail established: Casey Jones State Trail.________

P&TC forms a first-of-its-kind

foundation to acquire land for parks.

The leaders of Parks &Trails Council of Minnesotahave always beenandnow, especially, arerelied upon by policy

makers as the lead voice

for parks and trails.

~Former Senator Dave Durenberger

(from P&TCs 2014 Annual Dinner)

1891

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parks & tra ils council of mn ww w.p ar ks an dt ra il s . or g

Minnesota Trails Summer 2014 7

Judge C. R. MagneyFounder of P&TC (1883-1962)

If there is one person who could be credited withpaving the way for citizens voices in parks andtrails, it is Judge Magney.

Te man people called Mr. North Shore had aprofound appreciation for the natural beauty ofMinnesotas natural areas.

As Mayor of Duluth (1917-1920) he immersedhimself in the citys parks planning. Later, he

became a Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Upon retiring he dedicated himself to sharing the knowledge and skills he gainedto preserve natural areas as parks for future generations. As he put it, Our stateparks are every mans country estate. Having earned the respect of legislatorsand government leaders, his insights were heeded and numerous parks owetheir establishment to the founder of P&C, Judge Magney. His philosophy ofpreservation became the driving force of P&C, which continues today.

1983

Landmark case for rails-to-trails

won by P&TC and DNR.

This case involved 10 miles of abandoned railroad that

abutting land owners argued should revert to their

ownership, but the Supreme Court ruled may be usedfor the Gateway State Trail.

The unique Banning State Park

boulders are saved.

In partnership with the Minnesota Climbers

Association, P&TC acquires 108 acres along the

Kettle River in Banning State Park, and helps make

Banning the fifth state park to allow climbing.

60th Anniversary of P&TC.

To date, P&TC has over 3,000 members and has helped acquire nearly

11,000 acres and helped ensure all parks and trails are cared for.

Minnesotas tallest waterfall saved

to become the heart of Grand

Portage State Park.

This effort began a year earlier when P&TC success-

fully launched a campaign to acquire the initial 260

acres and then advocated for the parks establishment.

1988

1996

P&TC has 1,000

members.

Gold Rock Point is acquired,

saving the iconic view from

Split Rock Lighthouse StatePark.

This effort began when P&TC successfully

launched a campaign to raise $1 million and

mobilized necessary public support to approve

this addition to the state park.

1997

2008

Minnesotans approve the

Legacy Amendment.

2013

2014

Judge Magneys philosophycontinues to drive P&Cswork today. Te MagneyCircle is comprised ofindividuals who are inspiredand committed enoughin this grand pursuit ofpreserving land for futuregenerations to contribute$500 or more annuallyto P&C. Tis support

continues the legacyestablished 60 years ago bythis Giant of the North.

o become a Magney Circlemember, please visit

ParksAndTrails.org