MnGCA

15Tango

I was at REI earlier today, or rather yesterday, where I picked up their monthly newsletter, and there was mention of a third party non-profit group that deals with promoting state, county, regional, etc. parks. I have since lost the newsletter, so I cannot provide any further information at this time--if anybody knows who this group is, or gets to REI and sees the newsletter before I do, can you post any contact information in this thread, and I'll work on contacting someone from this group and introduce them to geocaching, and let them know of the somewhat unreasonable hurdles we've had to overcome to gain acceptance of our pasttime.
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There comes a time in every young boy's life when he gets an irresistible urge to seek buried treasure.--Mark Twain

15Tango · Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2004 2:27 am Post subject:

I didn't mean that to sound like all parks are unreasonable--Ramsey, Three Rivers, Washington, Carver, and most of the parks administered at a smaller level have been exceptional with allowing us access, within acceptable guidelines, but there are quite a few that seem to have the knee-jerk reaction of banning geocaching altogether, like the DNR with their precious state parks. It also seems, or at least it did last summer, that Anoka Co. was on-again off-again as far as geocaching. From what I read of the newsletter article, this group sounds like it dovetails with our activity--promoting parks for everyone's enjoyment while still working to preserve them.
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There comes a time in every young boy's life when he gets an irresistible urge to seek buried treasure.--Mark Twain

15Tango

The group I was looking for is the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota--they act to help establish, develop and enhance Minnesota's parks and trails, and encourage their protection and enjoyment. They are a non-government agency that has been instrumental in the creation and expansion of several Minnesota state parks and trails. If I get a consensus that thinks it won't raise too much of a stink, I'll contact them and let them know about geocaching. Their contact info--
www.mnptc.org
275 E. 4th Street #642
St. Paul, MN 55101-1651
_________________
There comes a time in every young boy's life when he gets an irresistible urge to seek buried treasure.--Mark Twain

Centris · Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 9:31 pm Post subject:

Well, put them onto Anoka county first thing Confused

Every time I contact them, they are like a sleeping dragon -- I knock on the door to their lair and they huff and puff and blow smoke, but then go back and pretend I was never there.

Lots and lots of great caching opportunities here in Anoka county parks, but of course there are the few that are over crowded and some that could use a cache or two to get folks into these wonderful parks! Some guidelines would really be nice for this area.

King Boreas · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 3:54 am Post subject:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4623219.html

Anoka County is one of the fastest growing and most prosperous counties in the nation.

Dan Erhart is the chairman of the Anoka County Board:

"Anything I get invited to, I go," he said. "I can get more information there than anyplace else."

Maybe an invite to a MnGCA meeting ?

Erhart doesn't spend much time in the office and doesn't use e-mail. He believes that 80% of communication is nonverbal, and the only way to really hear what's being said is to be out among people.

15Tango · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 10:55 am Post subject:

Maybe someone from Anoka County can invite him to our breakfast this coming Saturday, or our next meeting? It'd probably be better if the invite came from one of his own constituents.
Address:
Anoka County Government Center
2100 3rd Avenue
Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265

Telephone:
763-323-5700 (Government Center)
763-421-1884 (Home)
_________________
There comes a time in every young boy's life when he gets an irresistible urge to seek buried treasure.--Mark Twain

s4xton

towlebooth · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 1:46 pm Post subject:

RJ · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 3:25 pm Post subject:

The next "official" MNGCA meeting will be April 13th in Maple Grove. The cache page is still waiting on approval. I think that's pretty darn close to Anoka county and this 3rd party person.

RJ