Parks and trails to get a new chief

Published 9:31 am Tuesday, March 4, 2014

ST. PAUL — Minnesota state parks and trails will be getting a new chief.

Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr said he’ll appoint Assistant Commissioner Erika Rivers to serve as director of the Parks and Trails Division when its current director, Courtland Nelson, retires in April.

Rivers currently oversees three divisions for the commissioner’s office: Parks and Trails, Fish and Wildlife, and Enforcement.

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She began working closely with the Parks and Trails Division in 2010, when she managed the development of the master plan for Minnesota’s newest state park on Lake Vermilion.

Rivers will oversee a $103 million annual budget and a staff of 1,200 full- and part-time employees. Minnesota’s state parks and trails host more than 9 million visitors each year.