MINNEAPOLIS — For some, the day after Thanksgiving is a good day for a long walk in the woods. On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources made that option even more enticing.
The DNR dropped the $7 per vehicle entrance fee to all state parks and recreation areas. Add to that the temperatures being in the mid 40s and plenty of sunlight, thousands of people headed to places like Fort Snelling State Park near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Among them Dave Matyi, wife Gabby, and baby boy Ralphie.
“I love being outside, so every chance I’d have to be outside enjoying the nicer weather we take it,” Gabby told KARE.
It’s a good way to recover from the hectic pace leading up to the holiday, Dave added.
“We can’t complain about the weather, and we wanted to get rid of some built-up energy from this past week and Thanksgiving.”
He said the free admission was a nice bonus, but they frequently visit state parks and would’ve paid for being there.
The Olson Family from Apple Valley looked at the trail map and picked the Pike Island Loop Trail. But what got them to the park in the first place was a conversation about alternatives the Black Friday shopping frenzy.
“Our Aunt Jenny told us we should all go on a hike today instead of shopping,” Laura Olson explained.
“Instead of wasting money on Black Friday,” her younger sister Clara added.
They both wholeheartedly endorsed the idea of free admission, because of all the benefits of getting outdoors and moving around after the holiday feast.
“We’re looking forward to seeing other peoples’ dogs and the wildlife,” Laura told KARE.
There are 75 state parks and recreation areas in Minnesota. And, according to the DNR, most people live within 30 miles of one of these hidden gems. The hope is that a free day can be a day of discovery that launches a new family tradition.
“Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are open year-round and provide places of peace and beauty to recharge during the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season,” DNR Parks and Trails Division Director Ann Pierce said. “It’s a fantastic time to get out into nature with friends and family following Thanksgiving celebrations.”
The DNR will ask the 2023 legislature for $300 million dollars in one-time money to help pay for long overdue improvements to parks across the state. That’s yet another good reason for the agency to build good will with the public.
The agency's 2022 supplemental funding request was lost in the shuffle last year because the Senate GOP Majority and the House DFL Majority couldn't reach agreement on most of the budget bills.
The agency's seeking money for tree planting, land acquisition, boat ramp repairs, restroom renovations and a variety of other capital projects that can't be funded through other natural resources revenue streams.
The budget landscape may change now that Democrats control both chambers of the legislature and the governor's office. Any funding that relies upon general obligation bonds would need to attract bipartisan support because bonding bills require a minimum three-fifths majority vote.
That's 81 votes in the House and 41 votes in the Senate.