OTTER TAIL COUNTY, Minn. Dec 5, 2025– Those who enjoy outdoor recreation in Otter Tail County will soon have their experiences enhanced, with a $713,747 grant award for improvements at Otter Tail County Phelps Mill Park.
The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) just completed its extensive application review process and chose Phelps Mill Park and 11 other parks and trails around the state for $11,326,845 in funding for Fiscal Year 2027. The Minnesota Legislature annually approves the grant recommendations, with funding from the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund, one of four funds created by the 2008 Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. The Parks and Trails Legacy Funds are dedicated and may only be spent to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance.
“We are thankful to have been selected for this grant from the GMRPTC,” said Otter Tail County Parks and Trails Director Kevin Fellbaum. “The funds will allow us to enhance ADA accessible walking trails and connect the two boardwalks, install three new permanent onshore fishing areas along the river, upgrade the playground, construct an amphitheater area, upgrade the parking lot and restore other critical infrastructure throughout the park.”
Phelps Mill County Park is one of Otter Tail County’s premier recreational destinations, featuring the historic Phelps Mill – a beautifully preserved 1889 flour mill that serves as an iconic landmark. Nestled along the scenic Otter Tail River, the 127-acre park offers fishing, picnicking, hiking, exploring the historic mill, and an annual arts and crafts festival that attracts thousands of visitors.
“Every grant awardee is deserving, and we commend them for how thoroughly they described their needs in their grant applications,” said GMRPTC Chair Rick Anderson. “It’s the dedicated people at the local level who make Greater Minnesota’s parks and trails really shine, and we’re pleased to assist them with their efforts.”
The 12 parks and trails recommended for funding are below. District numbers in the grid refer to these geographic areas of Minnesota: 1-Northeast; 2-Northwest; 3-West Central; 4-East Central; 5-Southwest; 6-Southeast.
|
Grant Recipient |
Award |
District |
| Duluth Traverse | $1,318,978 | 1 |
| Grand Marais Recreation Area | $1,066,750 | 1 |
| Mille Lacs County Soo Line Trail | $600,000 | 1 |
| Roseau River Water Trail | $1,112,254 | 2 |
| Detroit Mountain Recreation Area | $821,700 | 3 |
| Lac qui Parle County Park | $368,202 | 3 |
| Otter Tail County Phelps Mill County Park | $713,747 | 3 |
| Willmar Robbins Island Regional Park | $1,327,945 | 3 |
| Chisago County Swedish Immigrant Trail | $447,441 | 4 |
| Lincoln County Hole in the Mountain Park | $901,890 | 5 |
| Olmsted County Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo | $2,040,000 | 6 |
| Rochester Gamehaven Park | $577,938 | 6 |
| Total | $11,326,845 |
|
“Legacy Funding is an amazing and far-reaching gift that Minnesotans chose to make happen by voting to tax themselves,” added Anderson. “Without Legacy dollars, many of these projects simply would not happen or would take many years before coming to fruition.”
In addition to the GMRPTC grant funding Fellbaum shared, “We will be able to utilize a $300,000 grant from the MN DNR (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) ‘Get Out More Program’ to complete Phase 2 of the Phelps Mill Master Plan. This is going to add so many more accessible amenities to the park grounds that will provide a more desirable guest experience for generations to come.”
For more information about Otter Tail County’s Phelps Mill Park, please visit ottertailcounty.gov, and if you would like to learn more about GMRPTC go to gmrptcommission.org.