City Council Meeting Date: June 16, 2026
To: Mayor and Members of Council
\From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Consider Resolution Authorizing Application to the Regional Parks and Trail Commission for Designation of Cannon River Regional Park as a Greater MN Regional Park.
Body
Action Requested:
The City Council is asked to consider a resolution authorizing an application to the Regional Parks and Trail Commission for Designation of Cannon River Regional Park to a Greater MN Regional Park.
Summary Report:
At the June 2, 2026 meeting, the City Council discussed the concept of the Cannon River Regional Park and the opportunity to pursue designation through the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC). A resolution authorizing the formal naming of the Cannon River Regional Park is a separate item on this meeting's consent agenda.
Staff is requesting authorization to submit a Preliminary Designation Application to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission for the Cannon River Regional Park. The preliminary designation process provides an opportunity for the Commission to evaluate whether the proposed park demonstrates regional significance and should advance to a full designation application.
The proposed Cannon River Regional Park includes a network of existing and planned parks, trails, natural areas, and recreational amenities located along the Cannon River corridor in Northfield and Dundas. The corridor contains significant natural, cultural, recreational, and scenic resources and serves as a destination for residents and visitors throughout the region.
Designation by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission may provide future eligibility for state funding opportunities available to designated regional parks and trails. The Commission annually distributes approximately $11-14 million for acquisition, development, restoration, and improvement projects within designated regional parks a...
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