Comment on New Dakota County Regional Park

Editor's Note: Dakota County Commissioner Tom Egan represents Mendota Heights, Lilydale, Mendota and a portion of Eagan. He was elected to office in 2004 and is now serving his second four-year term. Egan will write regularly to Patch readers about county government.

From years of experience, the Dakota County Board knows how important timing can be in acquiring land for strategic purposes. This was especially true in 2008 when the opportunity presented itself to the County Board to purchase 456 acres of land in Empire Township, commonly referred to as the Butler Trust property, for purposes of developing a centrally located regional park. 

This incredibly beautiful land is next to the 2,840-acre Vermillion Highlands modified Wildlife Management Area (the "Vermillion Highlands property").
In 2010, the County Board authorized the consulting firm of Sanders, Wacker, Bergly, Inc. to prepare the park development master plan and refine collaborative recreation on the Vermillion Highlands property.

In March of 2011, the County Board reviewed three park concepts and comments from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the University of Minnesota (owner of nearby UMore Park) and Empire Township. Presentations were made to the Vermillion Highlands steering committee, and the Empire, Rosemount, Farmington, and Lakeville park committees.  An open house was held April 18, 2011 on the concept plan and on Aug.  2, 2011 the County Board approved the preferred refined concept for the park.

Year-Round Recreation, Aboretum Proposed

This park land contains a number of unique and varying characteristics making planning and development challenging. To the north, the land extends like a stovepipe. The land to the south varies greatly.

Proposed major improvements are located in the eastern plateau and northern portion of the park and include a visitor center/trailhead, trails, picnicking, event areas, nature/water play areas, unique camping cabins, off-leash dog area, disc golf course, interpretive facilities, gardens and maintenance facility.

It is expected that there will be uses in the park for both summer and winter recreational activities.

There are uses proposed for this park not available in any other Dakota County Regional Park such as an “agboretum.” The agboretum is proposed as a collaborative teaching and food production area that combines tradition and innovation in agriculture and horticulture and engages visitors on food and health.  

It is hoped that this will be a collaborative recreation and learning park, with the park acting as the central hub for visitors while providing varied fun and meaningful recreation that raises awareness, understanding and appreciation of our relationship with nature.

Public Comments Welcome

The Dakota County Board authorized the release of the draft plan for this park Dec. 13 for a thirty-day review period from Dec. 13, 2011 to January 12, 2012. The draft plan can be reviewed online. Physical copies of the draft plan are also available at all Dakota County libraries and Lebanon Hills Visitor Center. 

An open house for the public is scheduled for 5:30–8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5 at the Dakota County Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Ave. in Apple Valley.

It is expected that there will be a number of community and stakeholder presentations during the review period.  

The draft plan will then be returned to the Dakota County Park and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Dakota County Physical Development Committee of the Whole for adoption in early 2012.

This clearly presents exciting opportunities for expanded recreational activities in Dakota County for all of our residents.