Parks & Recreation

Annual reports contain overviews of various projects completed and programs implemented each year. For annual reports prior to 2021, please email parks@duluthmn.gov with your request.

All documents open in a new window.

• 2024 Annual Report (Archived)

Comprehensive plans describe intents for future development or management of park, trail, recreation, or natural resources citywide.

All documents open in a new window.

• Essential Spaces: Duluth Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Plan, 2022 (Archived)
  • Essential Spaces Appendix, 2022 (Archived)
• Canada Goose Management Plan, 2022 (Archived)
• Natural Resources Management Program Plan, 2022 (Archived)
• Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan, 2016 (Archived)
• Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan, 2023 (Archived)

Environmental Assessment Worksheets (EAWs) are documents that describe the facts of a project to determine whether any potential environmental impacts could exist as a result of implementing a project. EAWs are completed by the Responsible Governmental Unit associated with a project. The below EAWs were completed in association with a park or trail development project.

All documents linked below open in a new window.

• Duluth Traverse Mountain Bike Trail System EAW, 2013 (Archived)
• Hartley Park EAW, 2015 (Archived)
• Spirit Mountain Recreation Area EAW, 2016 (Archived)

The Duluth Natural Areas Program was established in 2002 by city ordinance (Chapter 2, Article XXIX) to designate certain lands with environmental value as permanently protected natural places. For more information about the DNAP program: Duluth Natural Areas Program.

All documents linked below open in a new window.

• Duluth Natural Areas Program Guidelines, 2002 (Archived)
• City Ordinance Establishing Duluth Natural Areas Program, 2002 (Archived)
• Amity-Lester-Hawk Ridge Natural Area Nomination, 2025 (Archived)
• Hartley Natural Area Nomination and Management Plan, 2019 (Archived)
• Hartley Natural Area Native Plant Community Management Plan, 2020 (Archived)
• Hartley DNAP Fact Sheet (Archived)
• Magney Snively Natural Area Nomination, 2003 (Archived)
• Magney Snively Natural Area Management Plan, 2003 (Archived)
• Magney-Snively DNAP Fact Sheet (Archived)
• St. Louis River Natural Area Nomination and Management Plan, 2019 (Archived)
• St. Louis River DNAP Fact Sheet (Archived)

Park plans are intended to guide future development and restoration of their respective site or project. These plans describe opportunities and challenges that are relevant to their area, and detail strategies to improve the site moving forward. Park plans inform subsequent design and construction projects.

All documents open in a new window.

• Brighton Beach (Kitchi Gammi Park), 2019 (Archived)
• Central Hillside Community Park, 2014 (Archived)
• Chester Park, 2014 (Archived)
• Enger Park Golf Course, 2021 (Archived)
• Hartley Park, 2014 (Archived)
• Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, 2022 (Archived)
• Hillside Sport Court, 2023 (Archived)
• Irving Park, 2015 (Archived)
• Lincoln Park, 2016 (Archived)
• Lower Chester Park, 2018 (Archived)
• Morgan Park, 2013 (Archived)
• Memorial Park, 2012 (Archived)
• Quarry Park, 2016 (Archived)
• Spirit Mountain Recreation Area Plan Update, 2017 (Archived)
• St. Louis River Corridor Neighborhood Parks, 2016 (Archived)
• West Duluth Sports Corridor, 2015 (Archived)

In the process of developing projects or identifying options to address existing challenges, reports or studies may be developed.

All documents linked below open in a new window.

• Chester Bowl Thom Storm Chalet Section 106 Review, 2025 (Archived)
• Duluth Traverse Summer Visitor Profile, 2021 (Archived)
• Shoreline Mitigation Feasibility Study - North Shore, 2023 (Archived)
• Shoreline Mitigation Feasibility Study - Park Point Recreation Area, 2022 (Archived)
• Hartley Pond Feasibility Study - Alternative Assessment Summaries, 2024 (Archived)
• Hartley Pond and Dam Feasibility Study Report, 2024 (Archived)
  • Appendix A: FEMA Preliminary Floodplain, 2024 (Archived)
  • Appendix B: Existing Conditions SWMM Model Inputs and Outputs, 2024 (Archived)
  • Appendix C: Alternative Concept Designs SWMM Model Inputs and Outputs, 2024 (Archived)
  • Appendix D: Concept Design Drawings, 2024 (Archived)
  • Appendix E: Draft Alternative Floodplains, 2024 (Archived)
  • Appendix F: Alternative Summary Sheets, 2024 (Archived)
  • Appendix G: Stakeholder and Public Input Summary for the Hartley Pond and Dam Feasibility Study, 2024 (Archived)

Trail plans are intended to guide future development and connectivity of their respective trails or projects. These plans describe relevant opportunities and challenges, and detail strategies for moving forward. Trail plans inform subsequent design and construction.

All documents open in a new window.

• Campus Connector Trail, 2019 (Archived)
  • Appendix A - I, 2019 (Archived)
• Cross City Trail (CCT), 2017 (Archived)
• Cross Country Ski Trail Plan, 2015 (Archived)
• Duluth Traverse (DT), 2017 (Archived)
• DWP Trail System Technical Standards & Trail Use Plan, 2019 (Archived)
• Grand Avenue Nordic Center, 2015 (Archived)
• Lakewalk Interpretive Plan, 2022 (Archived)
• St. Louis River Corridor Trails Plan, 2017 (Archived)
• St. Louis River Estuary Water Trail, 2017 (Archived)
• Trail and Bikeway Plan, 2011 (Archived)
• Waabizheshikana: The Marten Trail, 2019 (Archived)
• Waabizheshikana: The Marten Trail Heritage Trail Interpretive Plan, 2021 (Archived)