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Entrance fees to all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas will be waived on Friday, November 23, 2018
Governor Mark Dayton has announced “Free Park Friday” in Minnesota, highlighting that entrance fees to all Minnesota state parks and recreation areas will be waived on Friday, November 23, 2018. Governor Dayton encourages all Minnesotans to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends on the day after Thanksgiving.
“I wish everyone in Minnesota a very happy Thanksgiving, and recommend visiting one of Minnesota's beautiful state parks — for free — on Friday,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “Like sharing a meal, going for a walk can be a great way to spend quality time with family and friends.”
Research shows that spending time outdoors benefits children and adults, including improving mood, enhancing creative thinking and problem solving, promoting a conservation ethic, and improving physical fitness. On Thanksgiving Day, the average American consumes around 4,500 calories. A brisk walk can burn about 300 calories in one hour.
“Holidays can be stressful, but Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are open year-round to provide places to unwind and relax, surrounded by natural beauty,” said Erika Rivers, director of Minnesota State Parks and Trails. “We hope that visitors who go to a state park for the first time on Free Park Friday will have fun, feel refreshed, and want to come back.”
Although most state park offices and visitor centers will be unstaffed or minimally staffed on Free Park Friday, a variety of on-site and online resources available for visitors:
1) Find directions to the parks on the individual park Web pages at www.mndnr.gov
2) Look for the self-orientation signs near the park entrance for suggestions on what to see and do during your visit.
3) Additional hike recommendations can be found online at the Free Park Friday page.
4) Pick up a hard-copy map at the park office or, better yet, download one of the new GeoPDF maps that show you where you are based on your mobile device’s built-in GPS receiver. Internet access is needed to install the app and map files, but once they are installed, they do not need Internet access or cell phone service to function.
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Governor Dayton encourages Minnesotans to support their local businesses this holiday season
Governor Dayton has proclaimed Saturday, November 24, 2018, as “Small Business Saturday” in the State of Minnesota. The proclamation recognizes the contributions of small businesses, and encourages Minnesotans to support their local businesses with their patronage this holiday season.
“Small businesses in the United States employ over half of the employees in the private sector, and more than 500,000 Minnesota small businesses employ one million Minnesotans,” reads Governor Dayton’s proclamation. “The State of Minnesota supports local businesses that create jobs, boost our local economies, and preserve neighborhoods.”
Established by the U.S. Small Business Administration in 2010, Small Business Saturday is observed every year on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. The day encourages people across the country to support small businesses with their holiday shopping, in order to bring more financial activity to local economies. In 2017, more than 7,200 combined groups and individuals committed themselves as Neighborhood Champions, to rally their communities together with unique events to celebrate the day.
“Small businesses play a critical role in Minnesota’s economic successes, and Small Business Saturday is an important day to celebrate their contributions,” said Employment and Economic Development Commissioner, Shawntera Hardy. “Last year, for every dollar spent on state programs supporting small businesses, more than six dollars was invested back into our economy.”
Minnesota is home to 513,118 small businesses, with approximately 47,300 of them minority-owned, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Overall, Minnesota small businesses employ a total 1.2 million people, and this year, have supported the creation of 34,242 new roles.
You can find out more about Small Business Saturday by clicking here.
To read Governor Dayton’s full proclamation, click here.
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