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The Minnesota Cities magazine is a publication of the League of Minnesota Cities. It's a bimonthly magazine available in print and online. The target audience is generally city staff and elected officials throughout the state of Minnesota. The magazine provides them with in-depth feature stories and practical information about governing and managing cities.
ROCORI Trail Connects Three Cities After Years of Collaboration
July-Aug. 2023 issue (pages 30-32) The ROCORI Trail project didn’t start when the asphalt was paved. It didn’t start when grants and other funding came through. It started 18 years ago “with some trail-enthusiastic residents who got together at the café and just had a conversation,” said Kevin Mooney, Richmond parks and recreation director, who has been with the department for 19 years. |
Spring Grove Advances 2023 Plan With Help From Rural Design Cohort Program
Sept.-Oct. 2023 issue (pages 20-21) Residents of Spring Grove discussed the need for more space five years ago, especially in regards to the school district’s K-12 building and finding enough space for all the youth sports and arts activities. |
Howard Lake Set to Open State’s First Net-Zero Library
Jan.-Feb. 2024 issue (pages 21-22) Howard Lake ran the risk of losing its library. A Great River Regional Library System largescale assessment found that Howard Lake was the smallest, most outdated, and most under-used library in its system. To stay an active member, Howard Lake needed to consider upgrading. |
Progress Slow, but Present in Appleton
March-April 2024 issue (pages 20-21) Ron Ronning grew up in Las Vegas, but he spent summer vacations in Appleton visiting his grandparents and many relatives. “Coming back to Appleton on vacation in the summer was like going to Disneyland for me. My grandparents owned a café in town. It was fabulous,” said Ronning, who’s now retired and has lived in Appleton for years. |
Lonsdale’s New Skate Park Exceeds Expectations in Its First Year
May-June 2024 issue (page 21) Lonsdale’s skate park hasn’t even been up and running for a full spring-summer season yet, but it’s already a popular spot. “The skate park has been used way more than I think anyone anticipated,” said Lonsdale City Administrator Joel Erickson. “Certainly me. It’s the word ‘skate park,’ so you immediately focus on skateboards, right? Well, that couldn’t be further from the truth.” |
Silver Bay Sees Multiple Redevelopment Projects Happening All at Once
July-Aug. 2024 issue (pages 20-21) The City of Silver Bay in northern Minnesota is surrounded by beauty — from Black Beach along Lake Superior to Tettegouche State Park — so it should come as no surprise that it’s a travel destination for many. This was particularly true during the COVID-19 pandemic when it saw an influx of visitors. |
Staying Social: Tracy Creates More Ways for Residents to Mingle
Sept.-Oct. 2024 issue (page 21) During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Tracy recognized that its residents were tired of being cooped up. As a result, the city implemented multiple social infrastructure projects to get people out and socializing again, according to Tracy Public Library Director Val Quist. |
Grow Perham Fills Housing Needs
Nov.-Dec. 2024 issue (pages 20-21) Something was missing in Perham. Large employers in town saw a need for affordable housing for their employees and potential employees. |
Battle Lake Hatchery Row: Before and After
Jan.-Feb. 2025 issue (pages 20-21) Val Martin lived in a neighboring community and was familiar with Battle Lake when she started working for the city in 2015. The public works director gave her a tour of Battle Lake, and Martin asked about West Henning Street, just off Lake Avenue, the main drag in town. |
Pine City Honors Businesses and Residents for Voluntary Property Improvements
March-April 2025 issue (pages 20-21) In Pine City, an ongoing commitment to community is taking shape as local businesses and residents invest in improvements and beautification projects across the city. These efforts, driven by individual property owners, have not gone unnoticed. |
Food Pantry in Bricelyn Fills Need With City’s Help
May-June 2025 issue (page 21)
Before launching the Bricelyn Food Pantry, organizers spoke with people in the community about their past experiences at food shelves. Many recalled feeling shame, judgment, and an overall lack of compassion.
May-June 2025 issue (page 21)
Before launching the Bricelyn Food Pantry, organizers spoke with people in the community about their past experiences at food shelves. Many recalled feeling shame, judgment, and an overall lack of compassion.