GBCTA Officers and Board of Directors
Officers:
Colin Partridge, President
Why I love the trail. As a 25-year resident of Stillwater, I have always treasured the scenic natural resources of this area; and there are no better places to enjoy those resources than on the Gateway and Brown’s Creek trails. The closest trailhead to me is Neal Avenue at Brown’s Creek Park. Whether
taking my dog for her daily walk by the nature preserve, cycling or skiing to Pine Point Park, or just enjoying nature, there is something to be appreciated across all seasons. Why are you part of the board. There aren’t many community resources that exist for the enjoyment of all of the population, every day of the year. That fact alone is why it’s worth supporting such an important asset, and I look forward to being able to share that message through my role on the board at GBCTA.
Jim Mellor, Vice President
I love the trail because Brown’s Creek Trail is literally two blocks from home. My bicycling usually begins and ends on that portion of the trail and it serves as a hub for other bicycling destinations. The trail is peaceful and serene, given the natural surroundings and no cars with which to contend. I feel privileged to be able to use the trail in a number of ways, which is why I want to do my best to not only preserve its heritage, but also to revitalize and expand it.
Nancy Beirsdorf, Treasurer
I love the trails because they offer such a beautiful and accessible way to experience nature right here in our community. Whether walking with my family, biking, inline skating, or simply pausing to enjoy the peaceful surroundings, the trails have been part of many joyful moments in my life. As a resident of Grant, near the trail crossing on Jamaca Avenue, I feel a strong personal connection to this space.
I joined the board to help support and sustain this incredible resource that brings people together across all seasons. I’m honored to serve as Treasurer and to help ensure the long-term vitality of the trail system. I’m also passionate about helping others discover the joy of getting outside and connecting with nature—our green spaces are truly a gift, and I hope to inspire more people to experience and protect them for generations to come.
Kerri Kolstad, Secretary/Membership Director
You can typically find Kerri at the Highway 96 parking lot for a Sunday morning run. Kerri came to love the beauty, wildlife, and people along the trail while training for four Twin Cities Marathons on the trail many years ago, so she was very honored to join the GBCTA board as Secretary in 2019. She wants to make sure that members and donors know how important they are to the trail’s future!
Patrick Junker, Volunteer Liaison
Taking advantage of the Gateway/Brown’s Creek Trail System as a frequent walker led me to the decision that it was
time to “give back” by volunteering to serve the association to help continue the fantastic work done for decades and to help to expand the system for the future. The easy access to the system, via the Brown’s Creek Trail addition, makes for wonderful views during all of Minnesota’s seasons - watching the change in the trees, arrival of the birds from their winter travels and listening to Brown’s Creek as it heads toward the St Croix River. The Gateway Trail is now over 30 years old, thanks to the hard work of volunteers. It is enjoyed by thousands and thousands of bikers, rollerbladers, horses, and walkers every year! The Gateway Browns Creek Trail Association has led the way by helping to support the DNR and its’ team to maintain the current routes and expand for the future generations to come.
Officer at large:
John Kimberly
I love the trail because it is close to my home, is free of vehicular traffic and a beautiful resource. The trail is a minute from my home at the near the 13 mile mark. I am serving on the board in order to contribute to improving the trail, participating in trail activities and working with a great and dedicated board. I run, ski, walk my dog, bike and snow shoe on the trail and am on it nearly every day.Directors:
Jon Slock, Facebook Manager. I love the Gateway Trail because it's an amazing mix of rural, suburban, and urban. Especially because of the urban/suburban side of the trail, it's the most accessible DNR trail in the state. While I do run the Facebook page, I'm one of the few Ramsey County residents on the board, so I also take extra effort to advocate for that stretch of trail. The closest trailhead for me is at Arlington Ave in St. Paul. You're most likely to see my walking or running between Arlington and the Vento Trail, but it's also common for me to bike out past 694 on the weekend in the summer. If you ever see me on the trail, definitely say hello!
Lorrie Bohl, Equestrian Liaison Lorrie works with all the pooper scoopers on the trail, to keep the bridges clean. An equestrian rider herself, she loved helping walkers, bicyclists, and horse owners understand how to share the trail.
Beth Hayden, Interim Webmaster
While I love the paths and bike lanes of my daily commute in the core metro, they pale in comparison to the natural escape the Gateway and Brown’s Creek trails offer. To have such a beautiful trail amenity right here, connecting communities with each other and with nature, is something I treasure. Being on the board gives me an opportunity to advocate for the trails, to work with a very dedicated and gifted board of directors and the dedicated staff at DNR, and to have productive fun.
Steve Kahn, Safety Liaison
I live within biking distance to the Gateway and feel lucky to have such a beautiful trail so close. If we saw each other on the trail I would probably be biking, whether it was spring, summer, fall or winter. I am on the Board because it is an important resource that is not to be taken for granted. As part of our safety initiative, we are tackling a Burma Shave sign project to make safety important, but fun as well.
Pam Meyer, Graffiti Removal Captain
I’ve loved the GBCT since I first moved to the Twin Cities in 1993. I began biking the trail with a club and now I live just a few miles from the trail head in Mahtomedi. I’ve trained for bike tours and I’ve walked with friends. Most important to me, I feel a real sense of peace as I commune with nature each time I’m on the trail. I was asked to serve on the Board of Directors by Al Porter and Barb Wahman. After my husband, Kirk Meyer, passed away, I planted trees at the Hadley Parking lot boulevard to provide shade n his honor.
Biking is a passion of mine, I’ve biked the US, Canada and Europe. Yet, many of my favorite rides begin and end on the GBCT.
Tom O’Sullivan
I’m a longtime resident of Saint Paul’s Como Park neighborhood, entering the Gateway Browns Creek Trail by bike or on foot near Wheelock Parkway or Arlington Avenue. I ride trails and roads all around Minnesota, but the Gateway is unique in how it connects me to downtown Saint Paul, out to fields and forests, and to other trails and roads it crosses. I meet all kinds of trail folk on my regular cleanup walks from Arlington to Cayuga Avenue, and hope I can help keep it enjoyable for them and future generations of users.
Kim Weber
You will find me in the nature and cleaning up of debris along with talking with local candidates for continuing the extension to Duluth! I live near White Bear Avenue and I am on the trail every day!
I wish to see this be a legacy for future generations.
Bob Zuzek, Scandia Extension Liaison
Bob is instrumental in staying on top of what's going on at the capital to help extend the trail. Most recently, due to Bob and a team of supporters, $2.9M has been allocated to build a tunnel north of William" Brien and install 1 mile of trail into Scandia, behind Meisters.
Bluebird Advocacy
Dennis Lindeke, Bluebird Keeper
We live closest to the trailhead at Hwy 96, but also not too far from Pine Point Park. I love these trails in all seasons, and love giving back to the community in support of them. My wife and I bike the trails at least twice/week and attend to the 16 bluebird houses on the Gateway Trail. We have fledged over 300 bluebirds in the 10 years they have been on the trail!!
Honorary Board Members:
Bob Hagstrom (past president)Doug Schwartz (past president)
Barb Wahman (Volunteer coordinator for 30+ years)
Peter Seed
MN DNR Liaisons:
Rachel Henzen
Acquisitions: Nathan Moe