News & Project Updates

Four power-tool wielding volunteers built a new supply of ADA compliant benches to be installed along the Gateway and Brown's Creek Trails. Tony Grote, Dave Kolstad, Pat Junker, and bench building lead, Dennis Lindeke, cut prepped and assembled the benches. They will soon be placed on the trails by DNR staff.

MN Bike and Go allows people to enter and view the location of public toilets (permanent and portable) along bike (and dual biking-walking) trails and paths throughout Minnesota on an interactive map using GIS (geographic information systems). It also allows them to rate the features and conditions of those facilities using a short survey. The site can be accessed on a mobile phone using the link below and is free to use.

Want to check it out? Click here.

At the end of August, members of the GBCTA board hosted a small and mighty group running on behalf of Urban Roots, our urban garden partner at the Arlington Gardens stop along the Gateway Trail. The group mingled.

If your a runner, consider joining their team. You can learn more here.

The 4th annual Volunteer Appreciation night was a big success. The weather was perfect and food was prepared by the Association volunteers to perfection.

The event was held in conjunction with Lift Bridge Brewing's Townie Tuesday. $1 was donated to the Gateway-Brown's Creek Trail Association for every beverage purchased! 

Over 70 people joined in the fun and conversation along with the Association Board of Directors to thank the many volunteers for their dedication and service helping to maintain the trail system for all to enjoy! 

 Colin Partridge, GBCTA president, spent time with the group and thanked all the volunteers for their efforts!

For photos from the evening, click here.

Colin Partridge, GBCTA president, spent time with the group and thanked all the volunteers for their efforts!

The DNR's 4 The Outdoors questionnaire is currently open for public input. Please contribute to help co-create the vision for sustainable, long-term funding for conservation and recreation in Minnesota. The purpose of this questionnaire is to explore Minnesotans' values and preferences related to possible future funding models. The questionnaire should take less than 10 minutes to complete. This input will help us identify specific funding solutions that best meet Minnesotans' needs.

Learn more about 4 The Outdoors by reading the 4 The Outdoors report, visiting the DNR website, and watching the July 30 Wireside Chat.

Whether you're a casual photographer or a tenured professional, your photos of Minnesota's trails and parks could be a prize winner. Submit your top photos to the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota annual photo contest for a chance to shine a spotlight on the places you visit and love.

Do you have an acumen for accounting? Do you live along the Gateway Trail in St. Paul? - Do you enjoy the Gateway and Brown's Creek Trails?

We're currently seeking board candidates for the following roles. An outline of responsibilities can be found below.

• Treasurer
• Liaison to the communities surrounding the St. Paul portion of the Gateway Trail

If you would like to learn more about either of these roles, please contact gbctapresident@gmail.com.

Treasurer 

Responsibilities

• Facilitate payment of invoices and reimbursement of receipts
• Accept memberships and donations and log into GBCTA database
• Prepare quarterly financial summaries
• Participate in monthly executive committee and quarterly full board meetings

 

Qualifications

• Trail user and supporter
• Basic computer skills including Excel
• Willingness to learn basics of membership database
• Experience with not-for-profit finance would be beneficial. 

 

Board Member (Gateway West)

Responsibilities

• Along with other board members manage the business, property and affairs of the association 
• Actively participate in outreach and engagement  
• Attend quarterly meetings, scheduled events and ad hoc activities.
• Support new and existing programs with an emphasis on the west side of the Gateway Trail (Maplewood to St. Paul) 

Qualifications

• Trail user and supporter
• Advocate for trail usage among all demographics
• Previous Non-profit experience a plus, but not essential.  

On May 18, longtime trail champion, volunteer, and birder, Bob Bystrom, organized two birding outings along the Gateway and Brown's Creek Trails. The group saw an amazing number of birds, despite rainy conditions.

See below for the complete lists of birds observed that day.

25 species were counted at the Brown's Creek Preserve

• American crow

• American robin

• Baltimore oriole

• Black-capped chickadee

• Brown-headed cowbird

• Canada goose

• Common grackle

• Common yellowthroat

• Gray catbird

• House wren

• Mallard

• Marsh wren

• Mourning dove

• Northern cardinal

• Northern Flicker

• Orchard oriole

• Red-winged blackbird

• Ring-necked pheasant

• Sandhill crane

• Song sparrow

• Sora

• Tree swallow

• Turkey vulture

• White-breasted nuthatch

• Wild turkey

43 species of birds were observed on the Gateway Trail

• American crow
• American goldfinch
• American redstart
• American robin
• Baltimore oriole
• Barn swallow
• Black-capped chickadee
• Black & white warbler
• Blue jay
• Brown-headed cowbird
• Canada goose
• Chestnut-sided warbler
• Common loon
• Common yellowthroat
• Double-crested cormorant
• Downy woodpecker
• Eastern kingbird
• Eastern towhee
• Gray catbird
• Great blue heron
• Green heron
• Great crested flycatcher
• Hooded merganser
• House finch
• House wren
• Mallard
• Nashville warbler
• Northern cardinal
• Northern waterthrush
• Ovenbird
• Red-bellied woodpecker
• Red-eyed vireo
• Red-winged blackbird
• Sandhill crane
• Scarlet tanager
• Sng sparrow
• Song sparrow
• Song sparrow
• Swamp sparrow
• Tennessee warbler
• Turkey vulture
• White-breasted nuthatch
• White-throated sparrow
• Wood duck
• Yellow warbler

Volunteers joined the GBCTA this spring to plant thirty new trees around the recently reconstructed Westminster Bridge segment of the Gateway Trail. See photos from the day on our Gallery page.