What is the Regional Parks and Trails System?

What is the Regional Parks and Trails System? 

The Regional Parks and Trails System, supported by the Met Council in partnership with cities, counties, and special park districts, was established in 1974. At that time, the Legislature found that:

"The pressure of urbanization and development threatens the most valuable remaining large recreational open spaces in the metropolitan area at the same time as the need for such areas is increased. Immediate action is therefore necessary to provide funds to acquire, preserve, protect and develop regional recreational open space for public use.” (Minn. Stat. 473.302) 

In response to state legislation, about 31,000 acres of existing parks were designated as “regional recreation open space.” The newly designated regional parks had about five million visits in 1975. Over the last 50 years, the Met Council has invested state and regional funds to help park agencies develop those first designated regional parks, as well as to acquire and develop new parks and trails for the growing metropolitan population. The Regional Parks and Trails System strives to build upon the world class system of interconnected parks and natural areas first established in Minneapolis by such visionaries as Horace Cleveland and Theodore Wirth and to extend that model throughout the region.

The Regional Parks and Trails System includes:  

• 65,339 acres protected  
• 46 regional parks
• 12 park reserves
• Eight special features, such as the zoo and conservatory at Como Regional Park  
• 56 regional trails, with 487 miles currently open to the public  
• More than 69 million visits in 2023  

Figure 1.1: Elements of the Regional Parks and Trails System

Regional parks and trails contain significant regional natural resources such as lakeshore, wetlands, hardwood forests, native prairies, and groundwater recharging areas. If you were to visit one regional park, park reserve, or special feature each weekend − not even counting the trails − it would take you more than a year to get to them all. It is an amazing system, one that has few rivals anywhere in the world. It demonstrates the importance of natural spaces and outdoor recreation to Minnesotans, including those living in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, and the value of a collaborative and coordinated approach to planning for and developing the system across the region. The Regional Parks and Trails System is made up of four main components: regional parks, park reserves, regional trails, and special features.

• Regional Parks contain a diversity of natural features, either naturally occurring or restored, and are typically 200-500 acres in size. Regional parks accommodate a variety of outdoor recreation activities. As of 2024, a total of 46 regional parks were open to the public.  
• Park Reserves, like regional parks, provide for a diversity of outdoor recreation activities. One major feature that distinguishes the park reserve from a regional park is its size. The minimum size for a park reserve is 1,000 acres. Additionally, regional park implementing agencies are required to manage at least 80% of the park reserve as natural lands that protect the ecological functions of the native landscape. As of 2024, a total of 12 park reserves were open to the public.  
• Regional Trails are categorized as one of two types by the Met Council: destination or greenway trails and linking trails. Destination or greenway trails typically follow along corridors with high-quality natural features that make the trail itself a destination. Linking trails are predominately intended to provide connections between various Regional Parks and Trails System units. As of 2024, 56 regional trails totaling approximately 487 miles were open for public use.  
• Special Features provide opportunities not generally found in the regional parks, park reserves, or regional trail corridors. Special features often require a unique managing or programming effort. As of 2024, eight special features were open to the public.  

Additional information on Regional Parks and Trails System facilities is provided in Section Two, Policy 1: System Plan.