DNR rethinks budget, cuts winter recreation services

The Department of Natural Resources is rethinking when and where it spends its money across the state.

This year, less than half as many state parks will have groomed ski trails, and winter camping opportunities will be reduced.

Erika Rivers, head of the DNR's parks and trails division, said it's part of a larger system plan to spend more when more people use parks and trails — in the summer.

"By curbing some of the provision of those resources during the lower use times of the year we'll have those resources to apply in the warmer months," she said. "I think as you all know, there has been a great increase in visitorship with our state parks in particular over the course of the last year. Minnesotans and visitors to Minnesota love our state parks.

The DNR, however, has reversed several decisions already, including an initial plan to stop plowing part of the Gateway State Trail. It's one of the most heavily used recreational trails in the state, but mostly during the winter. About a third of it has been groomed for skiing in the past.

The DNR also reversed a decision to ban high school Nordic ski teams from William O'Brien State Park, which many use for practice.