Officials Ask For $72.5 Million For Minn. State Parks

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is requesting $72.5 million from the state Legislature, about half of which would go toward fixing up aging recreational facilities and overused trails at parks across the state.

DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr acknowledged at an Itasca State Park news conference Wednesday that it's a large request, but he says it's necessary to prevent bigger expenses in the future.

The request stems from a DNR review of state parks, trails, buildings, boat launches and monitoring wells. The survey found that nearly 740 buildings are in bad condition, and about 100 miles of paved trails need work.

It wasn't immediately clear when lawmakers might take up the request.