Parks & Recreation

Youth on Trails - Media

Check this page for news articles, photos, stories, and other media regarding Youth on Trails.

Initial Press Release - 12/8/21: https://duluthmn.gov/media/WebSubscriptions/93/20211208-93-6666.pdf
Minnesota Public Radio article - 12/12/21: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/12/12/mobile-bike-fleet-duluth-accessible-playground-rochester-projects-state-grants
Duluth Parks & Recreation Summer 2023 Program Brochure - page 20: 2023-duluth-parks-program-brochure-for-web.pdf (duluthmn.gov)
Youth on Trails Launch Press Release - 5/25/23: https://duluthmn.gov/media/WebSubscriptions/93/20230525-93-7417.pdf
WDIO - 5/25/23: https://www.wdio.com/front-page/local-news/duluth-parks-and-recreation-launches-youth-on-trails-mountain-biking-program/
WDIO - 8/10/23: Youth on Trails program takes kids mountain biking - WDIO.com – With you for life
VIDEO - Summer 2023 video clips! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u29QzNeP7AY&feature=youtu.be
Northern News Now - 7/16/24: https://www.northernnewsnow.com/2024/07/17/duluth-parks-rec-receives-statewide-award-mountain-biking-program/
Fox 21 - 7/23/24: https://www.fox21online.com/2024/07/23/duluth-park-recreational-staff-recognized-for-engaging-youth-bike-program/

Awards

Youth on Trails received a 2023 Award of Excellence from the Minnesota Recreation & Parks Association (MRPA) in the Programs & Events category
Youth on Trails also received the 2023 Tommy Johnson award from the MRPA, a 'best of the best' award across all Parks & Recreation programs, projects, initiatives, and management practices in Minnesota for 2023.

From Michelle Snider, Executive Director of MRPA:

“A major goal of the Awards of Excellence program is to increase public awareness and appreciation of the excellent parks, trails, and recreation services available in Minnesota.”

Connecting children to nature and the outdoors is at the core to our profession. The Youth on Trails program is impressive with its high level of collaboration at the City and with community partners and by the inclusive nature of this program to breakdown barriers to provide youth the accessibility to outdoor recreation in the sport of mountain biking.

In addition to the Award of Excellence distinction for the Youth on Trails program, presented at Monday’s Council meeting (7/22/24), Youth on Trails was the top scoring program amongst all entries received by the MRPA Awards Committee,” explained Snider. “This program will also receive a second award, the Tommy Johnson award, or the “best of the best award,” which will be presented at the January 2025 MRPA Annual Meeting.”