Champion of Paul Bunyan Trail dies

Terry McGaughey remembered as man who could get things done.

McGaughey's first involvement with the Paul Bunyan Trail dates back to 1983. In 1988 the Legislature authorized establishment of the trail. He served at the trail's volunteer coordinator. He told the Parks and Trail Council of Minnesota he had worked with the Legislature on recreational trail projects dating back to 1962.

McGaughey, 71, also helped establish the Minnesota Designated Canoe and Boating Routes, helped form the Minnesota Canoe Association, co-founded an Audubon chapter and was a member of the original governing board of the Deep Portage Conservation Reserve in Cass County.

Todd Holman, program director at the Minnesota Nature Conservancy, Baxter City Council member and trail supporter, said McGaughey was a dear friend and his death was tragic.

Holman described McGaughey as one of the most visionary people he knew, who not only had the knack to come up with the vision for the Paul Bunyan Trail but saw the processes, necessary steps, collaboration, friendships and partnerships needed to accomplish its creation.

"We're going to miss him," Holman said. "He didn't just have that energy himself, he was able to communicate that drive, vision and energy to those around him, and I was one of them."

McGaughey was no stranger to the halls of the state Capitol, tirelessly advocating for the Paul Bunyan Trail.

"If it wasn't for Terry McGaughey the Paul Bunyan Trail would not exist today," Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, said. "Terry was a very persuasive person, where this was his passion. Our community certainly benefited by having Terry McGaughey be a great advocate for the Paul Bunyan Trail."

Koering said McGaughey stuck with the Paul Bunyan Trail project for more than 20 years.

"He was in our office at least a couple of times every session and really provided us with information we needed when we went back to our constituents." Koering said. "Terry really had all of his homework done."

Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, said McGaughey's perseverance made the trail a reality and provided a great example of giving back to one's community.

"We're just so thankful for everything Terry did," Ward said. "It's because of Terry's work and efforts and undying persistence that we have what we have today."

U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., a biking enthusiast and trail advocate also conducted an annual "Ride with Jim" event near the trailhead of the Paul Bunyan Trail in Baxter which McGaughey helped to organize. The congressman made a brief statement Wednesday after learning of McGaughey's death.

"Terry was a truly rare person who stood up to be counted and serve his community any way he could, he was a real treasure and a good friend," Oberstar said. "The world is a better place for his having been here, he's really going to be missed."

Lisa Paxton, chief executive officer for the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, said McGaughey had the expertise and persistence to get things done.

"There was not a more tireless supporter or promoter of trails than Terry," said Paxton. "The Paul Bunyan Trail could have been named the McGaughey Trail for the commitment he made to not only launching the trail but the continued expansion over the years. I think it illustrates what one person with a vision and a passion can accomplish. He gave so much of his life to the trail, and I think he shared his knowledge with other communities as well. He will be missed." Paxton said community members now need to step forward and finish the trail in memory of McGaughey.

"We're going to need the community to continue the legacy that he started by finishing the trail and its southern route to Crow Wing State Park and the connection of the Cuyuna Trail through Brainerd to the Cuyuna Lakes Area," said Paxton.

Baxter Mayor Darrel Olson said McGaughey was a tremendous asset, not just for Baxter but for all communities through his countless hours lobbying for trails in St. Paul.

Olson said McGaughey was invaluable for his insight and knowledge in planning trails.

"A lot people probably don't realize what all he did behind the scenes. He was a great cheerleader for the trail systems," Olson said. "It's a tremendous loss for all of our communities and he will be hard to replace."

To Brainerd Mayor James Wallin, McGaughey was "Mr. Trails" and Wallin said he was saddened to hear of McGaughey's death Wednesday afternoon.

A few years ago Wallin presented McGaughey with the city's Tower Award in recognition of McGaughey's efforts.

"I just commend and appreciate all he did, all the hard work he put in for the trails we have and enjoy now," Wallin said. "He's going to be missed. He was a really, really nice guy and I'm devastated by his demise."

In April, McGaughey won the Reul Harmon Award, a lifetime achievement award from the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, for his more than 25 years of supporting, lobbying and promoting the 110-mile Paul Bunyan Trail as volunteer trail coordinator.

In 2008 he received the council's Government/Citizen Action Award.

McGaughey didn't live in Nisswa, but he was chosen as the 1995 Nisswa Citizen of the Year because of his work with the Paul Bunyan Trail, said Nisswa Mayor Brian Lehman. Lehman said McGaughey also has been part of the Friends of Nisswa Park committee, which has been working since December of 2006 to build a park on Nisswa Lake.

Lehman said Nisswa has become a destination, where people often come with their bicycles, to ride and to shop.

"The Paul Bunyan Trail is one of the pivotal reasons why Nisswa has become Nisswa and Terry McGaughey is a big part of that, obviously," said Lehman. "There's a lot of people who will miss him. I will miss him."

Last year Paul Bunyan Cyclists Brainerd dedicated a day of riding in honor of McGaughey for his efforts in helping create the trail system. Emily Lanin, Paul Bunyan Cyclists board member, said the group plans to make it an annual ride in honor of McGaughey.

"I guess it will be a memorial ride now," Lanin said.

Roger Landers of Nisswa, a biker, skier and trail advocate, served with McGaughey on trail committees. He remembered McGaughey as being an aggressive advocate and visionary who stuck with a project.

"He saw a good use to recycle the abandoned railroad grade," Landers said. "Everybody else fumbled on this. He found the vision and stuck to it."

Article Published: 07-22-2010