People who enjoy the historic Phelps Mill Park area will soon have their experiences enhanced, once recommendations are approved to fund $366,000 of improvements at the beautiful County park.

The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) recently completed its application review process and chose Phelps Mill County Park and 13 other parks and trails around the state for $11.4 million in funding for fiscal year 2024. The GMRPTC will now recommend that the Minnesota Legislature approve funding through the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund, one of four funds created by the 2008 Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. The Legislature has annually approved GMRPTC recommendations since Legacy Funds are already dedicated and may only be spent to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance.

“We are excited to have been selected for this grant from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission, which will allow us to make enhancements to the popular park,” said Kevin Fellbaum, Otter Tail County Parks and Trails Director. “Area residents and visitors already enjoy the history and beauty of Phelps Mill, and this needed funding will make their visits better than ever.”

State-wide 14 parks and trails were recommended for $11,398,765 in Fiscal Year 2024 funding. 

“Legacy Funding is a far-reaching gift that Minnesotans had the foresight to create to enhance their enjoyment of the outdoors,” said Mattson. “Without Legacy dollars, many of these projects simply would not happen or would take many years before coming to fruition.”

For more information about the park and trail system in Otter Tail County go to www.ottertailcountymn.us/parks-and-trails and plan to attend the Phelps Mill historic mill building ribbon cutting ceremony this summer.