Tom Schmitz was recently re-appointed to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) as a Commissioner for District Five. There are 13 commissioners in total, with two for each of the six districts and one at-large commissioner.

NEW ULM — Former New Ulm Park and Rec Director Tom Schmitz is continuing to make his mark known in Southern Minnesota.

Schmitz was re-appointed to his District 5 seat on the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC). The district spans from the southwest corner to Faribault, Waseca, and Le Sueur counties in central southern Minnesota.

Schmitz had previously served on the commission since it was established in 2013, to carry out recommendations for grants from the Legacy Parks and Trails Fund. These grants are given to parks and trails of regional significance of each district, which is separated from the seven-county MSP area.

Schmitz was not selected for re-appointment in 2020. His replacement Ted Suss moved out of District 5 in 2023, and Schmitz chose to finish out the last year of Suss’ four-year term right as he was retiring from New Ulm’s Park and Rec Department.

By that time, Schmitz said the organization was a well-oiled machine, different from when everything was starting.

“It was building an organization from scratch,” he said. “In those first few years, there was some initial work involved in creating and getting the commission up and running. We were taking the authority away from the Minnesota DNR who had been administering these grants and moving the grant administration to this new commission.”

By being re-appointed, Schmitz will serve as District 5 Commissioner until 2028. When asked about the thought process of throwing his hat in the ring again, he said it was simple.

“I’m passionate, especially about regional parks and trails, and the Legacy Amendment programs,” Schmitz said.

Schmitz said across the GMRPTC’s six districts, 80 of Minnesota’s 87 counties are represented. Around $9-10 million dollars are administered a year in grants to regionally designated parks and trails. The GMRPTC only receives 20% of the legacy money given to parks and trails, with the remaining 80% split between the DNR and Metropolitan Area Council.

Currently, there are no regionally designated parks in Brown County. Schmitz said he hopes to designate at least one park in New Ulm to fill this gap. Of the park and trail units in New Ulm, he said Hermann Heights Park and the Minnesota River Parkway would be the best candidates for selection.

The Minnesota River Parkway covers the parks and trail system in New Ulm that runs along the Minnesota River, like Riverside Park.

Overhis next four years serving, Schmitz said he has a few priorities he would like to address.

“Number one, to make sure the entities in the district that may be eligible for funds are aware of them,” he said. “Then provide more and better public outdoor recreation at these parks and trails,” he said. “Certainly having a close connection to the New Ulm area, would be very excited to see it able to tap into this program and provide more public amenities.”

Schmitz said he is looking to continue offering park, trail, and recreation opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

“There are many benefits to that, including health,” he said. “People tend to be healthier and live longer when they physically recreate outdoors.”

If he feels as good four years from now as he does today, Schultz said he will continue to serve District 5 as long as he is able.

For more information, visit https://www.gmrptcommission.org/