News & Project Updates

Browns Creek State Trail between Hazel Street and Stonebridge Trail will be closed intermittently throughout June 2026 for culvert repairs.

The contractor plans to keep the trail open nightly but expects periodic daytime closures.

When I was last on the Trail, April 29th, while checking bluebird houses, I saw the most interesting thing.  In a pond on the northern part of the trail, two big trumpeter swans were digging in the shallow pond mud with their long necks, and stirring up vegetation.  Two beautiful little wood ducks were alongside nibbling on what vegetation floated up to the surface. Pretty neat encounter.  I thought that they were just feeding.  I snapped a couple photos and moved on.  

Our next ride on the trail was Mother’s Day, May 11th, or 10 days later.  My wife Carol and I, plus two good friends, were out enjoying the day and checking the 18 bluebird houses again.  Now, at swan pond, there is a very large mound of mud, with a swan sitting on top, likely on eggs.  10 days ago there was nothing there, just two swans digging in the mud.  Quite a construction project in only 10 days.  I looked up swan nesting behaviors and this is typical.  They usually build on top an existing muskrat or beaver hut, but absent that, they will build their own nesting platform.  They lay 4-6 eggs, which take about a month to hatch.  So, in mid June these proud parents should have a group of cygnets to chase around the pond.  I think I’ll name these swans Siegfried and Odette. 

(See photo below)

Bonus: Update on the trail bluebirds.

Currently there are 8 houses occupied by our bluebirds.  Two of these houses have 11 babies already hatched.  And there are 26 eggs distributed among the other 6 houses.  So, 37 total eggs plus babies for the first nesting this spring.  The bluebirds typically nest twice per year, but they lay fewer eggs the second time. Since 2014 when we first started the Gateway bluebird trail, over 600 of these little blue gems have fledged and flown away. Such a joy.

A huge thanks to all River Market Co-op shoppers who said "Yes" to rounding up their purchases during the month of April.

Round Up funds donated to the Trail Association to help purchase equipment, support plantings, advocate for trail extension, and maintain the trails for the enjoyment of all the users.

Each cashier asked their customers if they wish to round up for the monthly non-profit association. As a thank you, the GBCTA offered a special gift certificate and some Gateway-Brown's Creek goodies to the cashier who net the most Round Up dollars.

Congratulations to Maddy, our Round Up winner!

Spring is here!  Ospreys are paired up on nests and the morning chorus is getting a little more interesting.

This is just a REMINDER that the Gateway Trail and Brown's Creek Bird Walks are planned for Saturday, May 9, 2026: 7:00 a.m. at the Gateway Trail/Hwy 96 crossing and 8:30 a.m. at Brown’s Creek Nature Preserve, 8312 Neal Ave N, Stillwater.

DATE: SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026
EVENT: Gateway Trail Bird Walk
TIME: 7:00-8:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Gateway Trail/Hwy 96 Crossing, located at Gateway State Trail, Stillwater, MN 55082

GPS COORDINATES: 45.079640994222714, -92.89679903385633
INFORMATION:  We will leave the parking lot at 7:00 a.m. and return to the starting point at 8:00 a.m.  We will identify as many species as we can by sight and sound during the hour. Bring binoculars if you have them. This is usually a good time and place to see migrant warblers.

GPS COORDINATES: 45.070340, -92.844382
INFORMATION: We will leave the nature preserve parking area at 8:30 a.m. and return to the starting point at 9:30 a.m.  Again, we will identify as many species as we can by sight and sound during the hour. Bring binoculars if you have them. This is usually a good time and place to see resident and spring migrant birds.

See more at: https://www.gatewaybrownscreektrail.org/event-6641301

WEATHER CONTINGENCY: Drizzle or light rain is OK, but the walks will be cancelled (by email notice) if it’s very windy or significant precipitation is likely. If in doubt, text Marie Culhane at 651-353-5782 on the day of the event.

There is no cost and no registration required for either of these events.  I will send two more reminder emails  - one on April 25, and May 7.

The GBCTA (Gateway-Brown's Creek Trail Association) is the lucky recipient of round up contributions at the River Market Co Op in Stillwater this month. Through the end of April, shoppers will have the option to round up their purchases to the next dollar level to help support work on the GBCTA. Contributions will help with this year's advocacy work, maintenance on the trails, tree planting, and more. 

Thanks for rounding up to help our trails!

Few users of the Gateway Trail are aware of the contributions made by Peter Seed, a public finance attorney and outdoor enthusiast who volunteered countless hours to secure the Gateway as a state trail. Despite facing intense opposition from a small local contingent, Peter and a group of determined and forward-thinking founders, along with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, county and city governments, and the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota, successfully bid to secure the first segment of trail on an abandoned Soo Line railroad track. They continued their efforts in the state courts to ensure the trail would be officially preserved for public benefit and use. And later convinced the legislature to dedicate additional funding for a second segment to complete the acquisition.

Peter was an avid trail user and served on the board in various capacities until his passing in September 2025. His legacy will remain a permanent part of the Minnesota landscape.

A memorial service will be held on August 8, 2026, at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in White Bear Lake.

Click here to learn more about the history of the Gateway Trail.

The forecasted temperatures for Friday, January 23rd, are dangerously low. To keep trail users safe, the 2026 Gateway Trail Candlelight Hike has been canceled. 

Please stay safe and warm.

Source: State Trail Visitor Survey results available from Minnesota DNR : Nov 13, 2025 | News release | Minnesota DNR

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released a study of state trail visitors. The survey engaged more than 2,200 trail visitors during the 2024 summer season, with surveyors talking with trail visitors on site at paved state trails throughout Minnesota. There were also 900 post-visit surveys collected.

The survey showed a high level of satisfaction among state trail users. Of those surveyed, the vast majority (97%) were satisfied with their state trail experience. In addition, 92% of respondents said they felt safe during their visit to the state trail and 94% indicated they were likely to recommend state trails to friends and family.

An estimated 2.3 million visitors to state trails contribute $102.5 million in annual economic output to local and state economies. Spending is driven by tourists who stayed overnight in connection with their trail visit, who are responsible for almost one-quarter of state trail visits. This spending supports more than 626 jobs in communities around the state and is an important factor in Minnesota’s outdoor recreation industry.

The survey results highlight the importance of maintaining state trails, with 80% of respondents prioritizing trail maintenance. The DNR has invested in maintenance projects consistent with feedback from state trail visitors. Thanks to one-time funding provided during the 2024 legislative session, $2 million was invested in state trail maintenance and improvement projects in 2024 and 2025. Work has been completed on 13 state trails including: crack sealing, trail surface repairs, vegetation management to improve sightlines on trails and intersections, bridge repairs and culvert replacements, trail stabilization, and improved wayfinding and safety signage.

According to the survey results, visitors participate in a variety of activities on state trails. The most common activity is walking (50% of respondents), with biking on self-propelled bicycles the second-most popular activity (25%). Dog walking (16%), running or jogging (14%), viewing or photographing wildlife and scenery (8%) and biking with an e-bike (6%) are also common activities on state trails.

Minnesota state trails are a network of multi-use trails authorized by the state legislature and maintained by the Minnesota DNR for various recreational activities. The system includes more than 1,500 miles of trail that connect communities and public lands across the state. The trails pass through a variety of landscapes, including forests, prairies, lakes and river valleys. State trails are free and open year-round.

The complete state trail visitor survey report is available on the DNR’s state parks and trails reports webpage. More information about Minnesota state trails on the DNR website.

In addition to the sweet delight of roasted marshmallows, two food trucks will be on-site the night of the Gateway Trail Candlelight Hike.

Menus: 

Xstream Cuisine - Minneapolis - Roaming Hunger

Home - Eggroll Queen

Learn more about the Candlelight Hike on our Events page.