Outdoor Recreation Opportunities in the Minnesota River Valley
Recent legislation directs the Department of Natural Resources to transfer Upper Sioux Agency State Park (USASP) lands to the Upper Sioux Community. The Upper Sioux Community has a longstanding request to the State of Minnesota to transfer land at USASP back to the community. The legislation also sets a timeline for the DNR to prepare a report identifying any barriers to transferring the land and recommendations for addressing these barriers.
Upper Sioux Agency State Park was established in 1963 to preserve and interpret the remains of the old Agency site. The park currently covers 1,280 acres of grasslands, wetlands and woods near the confluence of the Minnesota and Yellow Medicine rivers.
Completing a land transfer involves many steps that will take time. The DNR will work with the Upper Sioux Community, Minnesota Historical Society, Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of the Interior, and many others throughout this process.
Public engagement is an essential part of the land transfer and identifying new outdoor recreation opportunities in the region. The DNR is committed to engaging with the local community to create or enhance outdoor recreation in the Minnesota River Valley. Meetings in the Granite Falls area will be taking place over summer 2023 along with online engagement.
Public working sessions
The DNR held a working session and public open house meeting on August 30 to refine ideas for investments in outdoor recreation in the Upper Minnesota River Valley. Participants heard about the feedback people have provided so far, and discussed outdoor recreation opportunities in more detail.
A second working session will be held to continue this process. Please subscribe to the mailing list or return here for updates.
Learn more and engage
Find additional information and opportunities to share feedback.
Contact Darin Newman, Parks and Trails Principal Planner, 651-259-5639.