Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area
Encyclopedia
Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area is a 5490 acres (22 km²) member of the Minnesota
state park system. The park is not continuous but is composed of waysides, four of which are strung along the Minnesota River
between Shakopee
and Belle Plaine
. The various waysides are interspersed with units of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
. Although the state recreation area is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
and the national wildlife refuge by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
, both agencies share a consistent signage to simplify visitation.
in 1967 it did not pass. Two years later a scaled-back proposal also failed. However a bill creating the Minnesota Valley State Trail did pass in 1969. The trail was to run from Fort Snelling State Park
to the town of Le Sueur
and include six waysides totaling over 5000 acres (20.2 km²). Even the smallest wayside was larger than some of Minnesota's state parks. In this roundabout way, portions of the valley were added to the state park system. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge was authorized in 1976 and additional lands originally desired for the state park received federal protection.
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
state park system. The park is not continuous but is composed of waysides, four of which are strung along the Minnesota River
Minnesota River
The Minnesota River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 332 miles long, in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It drains a watershed of nearly , in Minnesota and about in South Dakota and Iowa....
between Shakopee
Shakopee, Minnesota
Shakopee is a city southwest of downtown Minneapolis in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Scott County. Located on the south bank bend of the Minnesota River, Shakopee and nearby suburbs comprise the southwest portion of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the thirteenth largest...
and Belle Plaine
Belle Plaine, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,789 people, 1,396 homes and 949 families residing in the city. The population density was 932.7 people per square cube . There were 1,424 housing units at an average density of 350.5 per square mile...
. The various waysides are interspersed with units of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a 14,000 acre National Wildlife Refuge in central Minnesota. There are eight refuge units strung along of the Minnesota River. Located just south of the city of Minneapolis, this is one of only four American national wildlife refuges in an urban...
. Although the state recreation area is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the U.S. state of Minnesota charged with conserving and managing the state's natural resources. The agency maintains areas such as state parks, state forests, recreational trails, and recreation areas as well as managing minerals,...
and the national wildlife refuge by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
, both agencies share a consistent signage to simplify visitation.
History
The lower Minnesota River valley had been recognized for its scenic and recreational potential since at least 1939, but when a bill proposing an 18000 acres (73 km²) state park went before the Minnesota LegislatureMinnesota Legislature
The Minnesota Legislature is the legislative branch of government in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is a bicameral legislature located at the Minnesota Capitol in Saint Paul and it consists of two houses: the lower Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate...
in 1967 it did not pass. Two years later a scaled-back proposal also failed. However a bill creating the Minnesota Valley State Trail did pass in 1969. The trail was to run from Fort Snelling State Park
Fort Snelling State Park
Fort Snelling State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. Its most notable feature is the historic Fort Snelling, which dates from 1820. The fort itself is operated by the Minnesota Historical Society and requires a separate entrance fee...
to the town of Le Sueur
Le Sueur, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,922 people, 1,545 households, and 1,025 families residing in the city. The population density was 879.0 people per square mile . There were 1,589 housing units at an average density of 356.1 per square mile...
and include six waysides totaling over 5000 acres (20.2 km²). Even the smallest wayside was larger than some of Minnesota's state parks. In this roundabout way, portions of the valley were added to the state park system. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge was authorized in 1976 and additional lands originally desired for the state park received federal protection.