A product of the 2024-2025 Minnesota Parks Artist-in-Residence Program (MnPAiR), heart+land is a new interpretive feature spanning (2) regional parks in central Minnesota: Sherburne County’s Two Inlets at Bde Heḣaka – Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans and Robert Ney in Wright County. The installation pairs new signage with a mobile phone app to showcase the history, cultural significance, and unique environmental connections of our central Minnesota landscape—all through the lens of native plants.

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

August 16th, 10am-noon at Robert Ney Regional Park

August 23rd, 10am-noon at Two Inlets at Bde Heḣaka – Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park

Events will feature artist-led discussions and exploration of the games in the mobile app. Art and product demonstrations, children’s activities, and refreshments will be provided. The event is free; registration is not required but encouraged! Scan the QR codes below for a link to register—all registrants will receive an invitation to download the app once it is live.

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

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.