State of Minnesota Launches New Minnesota Great Outdoors Online Tool
6/8/2018 1:51:36 PM
June 12, 2018
Launch of helpful trip-planning resource for Minnesotans offers a new and convenient way to access more than 700 great outdoor locations on one easy-to-use map.
St. Paul, MN: Just in time for Great Outdoors Month, the State of Minnesota announced the launch of a new online tool to help outdoor recreationalists find amenities at Minnesota’s parks and trails across the state.
The Minnesota Great Outdoors website allows people planning to visit parks and trails – both regional and state-owned – to easily filter their search based on location, accessibility, camping amenities, lodging, interpretive programming, rental equipment availability, and landscape features, among other interests.
“Consolidating geospatial information that exists in dozens or hundreds of places into a single website makes it easier for Minnesotans to find the outdoor options that might be just beyond their back door, or near a favorite destination,” said Minnesota IT Services Commissioner Johanna Clyborne. “This is our mission: to work in partnership with agencies, sharing expertise and data that provides full, rich experiences for Minnesotans.”
Users accessing the Minnesota Great Outdoors site can:
“Previously, you would have to know which office or region managed the park or trail you were looking for. Now, you have a clear, easy-to-navigate launchpad to find all of the information you need to plan your trip,” said Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr. “By bridging technology with Minnesota’s beautiful parks and trails, we aim to make it even easier for people to connect with the bountiful outdoor opportunities available in our state.”
While this website does not include information about national or city parks and trails, it provides in-depth information about state and regional parks that is helpful to Minnesotans and visitors in all corners of the state, during all times of the year. The website’s search filters even break out trails by use, indicating trails that are best for hiking, off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles, and bicycles. To date, the Minnesota Great Outdoors site includes more than 184 parks and 419 trails.
“This new site will help connect even the most casual parks and trails visitors with the great outdoor recreational opportunities available in greater Minnesota,” said Renee Mattson, Executive Director of Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission. “It’s the perfect ‘first-stop’ for information when planning out a trip to a new area or region.”
This new mobile-friendly site was made possible by the Minnesota Legacy Parks and Trails Fund, and it shows all state and regional parks and trails that are eligible to receive Legacy funding.
While the online map is now fully public, work continues to add additional information about Minnesota’s state and regional parks and trails, particularly related to recreational activities and the locations of these opportunities.
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Digital Government
Geospatial
