Minnesota Parks Artist-in-Residence (MnPAiR)

a project by Lindsay Buck, @_freshlypressed

logo illustration by Arabella Howell

heart+land tells the story of a region, through the lens of the plants that call it home.

A product of the 2024-2025 Minnesota Parks Artist-in-Residence Program (MnPAiR), heart+land is an interpretive trail experience that encourages visitors of all ages to learn, play, and discover as they move through the landscape.

Learn about the history, cultural significance, and unique environmental connections of central Minnesota by exploring maps, plant profiles, and games in conjunction with the interpretive trails at (2) regional parks.

Trails featured in the app include the Pond Loop at Robert Ney Regional Park in Wright County, and the Lower Prairie Loop at Two Inlets at Bde Heḣaka - Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park in Sherburne County.

The launch of the app will be celebrated with a free public event at each park:

August 16th, 10am–noon at Robert Ney Regional Park
event details and registration

August 23rd, 10am–noon at Two Inlets at Bde Heḣaka – Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park
event details and registration

We invite you to join us in exploring the new trail signage and mobile app games, while partaking in art and product demonstrations, children’s activities, and refreshments that celebrate connections to the land. 

The trail and app will be free and open to the public for self-guided tours anytime after the app launch on August 16th.

Download heart+land for ioS:

Available soon on Android – Check back for updates!

app preview

The 2024-2025 Minnesota Parks Artist-in-Residence Program (MnPAiR) is an initiative of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission in partnership with Sherburne and Wright County Parks and Recreation Departments, with funding from the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment. More about the MnPAiR program can be found here.