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Indicator : Recreational trails

Rationale: Miles of recreational trails are a good indicator of access to Minnesota's parkland and open space.

About this indicator: Recreational trails expanded substantially between 1990 and 2001. Trail miles increased from 17,061 in 1997 to 21,322 in 2001, a rise of 25 percent. The increase reflects growing public interest in activities such as biking, inline skating, hiking, walking, nature observation, snowmobiling, horseback riding, skiing and other activities that trails make possible.

Things to think about: In July 2000, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued the results of surveys conducted from 1996 to 1998 on nine representative trails. The report, State Trail Use, documents $5 million per summer in spending by trail users. Eighty-three percent of this spending came from people who were away from home on a trip, although not necessarily from outside the state. Scenic touring is the second most popular activity for out-of-state visitors, behind shopping, according to the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development.

Technical notes: Data for 1990-1996 includes county and privately administered trails, and is not directly comparable to data for 1997-2001, which includes only state-owned trails and locally sponsored trails developed with state grants.

Sources:

  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, biennial budget reports, www.dnr.state.mn.us
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, State Trail Use - Summary of Summer Trail Use and User Surveys Conducted in 1996, 1997 and 1998, www.dnr.state.mn.us
  • Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development, travel activities, www.dted.state.mn.us

Related indicators:

Other related indicators:

  • Number of public access sites on lakes and rivers (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Trails and Waterways Division, www.dnr.state.mn.us)
  • Visits per person to state parks and Twin Cities regional parks (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, www.dnr.state.mn.us; Metropolitan Council, www.metrocouncil.org)
  • Number of boating, fishing and hunting licenses issued (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, www.dnr.state.mn.us)
  • Miles of state trails accessible to people with disabilities (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, www.dnr.state.mn.us)

Technical problems? Contact: andrew.koebrick@state.mn.us