Dakota County Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2020

county newsletter

spring/summer 2020

PERFORMANCE ISSUE 2020

COMMUNITY

A warranted change Page 11

PARKS

Programs & events Page 15

GO GREEN

Recycle this, not that

Balancing act Providing high-quality services in a cost-effective way Page 26

Page 23

Postal Customer

ECRWSS

Dakota County Board of Commissioners Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55 Hastings, MN 55033-2372

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ADVANCED MAIL

Please recycle

The health and well-being of every Dakota County resident is important. In this edition, we look at initiatives that support the wellbeing of the 428,484 residents who live here. Even with growing service demands and rising costs of programs and projects, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is pleased to report that in 2020 Dakota County will maintain the metro area’s lowest tax rate and Minnesota’s lowest County property tax per capita. These low tax rates are the result of planning and prioritizing the services we provide in a cost-effective way without sacrificing quality, so you get the best value for your tax dollar.

Contents Feature Page 26

BALANCING ACT Our community is better off when residents who need a little extra help get what they need to live healthier, more productive lives. Dakota County provides vital services — such as medical, disability, elderly and housing assistance — that make life better for thousands of residents every year. Find out how we deliver these high-quality services in a cost-effective way.

D E PA R T M E N T S

Page 3

Page 7

Page 11

Page 15

Page 23

IN BRIEF

OUR WORK

COMMUNITY

PARKS

GO GREEN

We’re expanding a high-speed cable network to improve emergency services and traffic flow and provide secure information exchange between county buildings, 911 dispatch, schools, hospitals and more.

How well we provide services to residents doesn’t just happen. We rely on an in-house team to help us deliver the service residents want and need efficiently and effectively.

Most outstanding arrest warrants are the result of missed court dates.

Being resourceful in how we resolve them can free up law enforcement, save money and still hold people accountable.

Fishing is a popular pastime that doesn’t have to take you to northern Minnesota. There are plenty of opportunities for fishing — from beginning to advanced anglers — right here in Dakota County parks.

Recycling can be confusing, but we aim to change that by providing a basic designated list of recyclables and clear labeling for everyone across Dakota County.

F O L LOW U S

2 | www.dakotacounty.us | spring/summer 2020

3 EXPANDING BROADBAND 5 REACHING OUR RESIDENTS 6 DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Getting connected Broadband ensures reliable and efficient services

Traffic signals, public health nurses, 911 calls and elections are critical services that Dakota County and other local governments provide — and they all rely on an integrated fiber-optic cable network.

spring/summer 2020 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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In Brief | Expanding broadband types of data. While outages on the I-Net are rare, the system provides multiple paths to send information from one location to another, so we can minimize the effect of an outage on the work we do and the services we provide.

$50,000 per year savings by installing our own cable

So far, we have installed nearly 320 miles of high-capacity cable beneath roads, trails and other public land across the county. We’ve replaced outdated copper cables with highspeed fiberoptic lines that safely move data and work more efficiently. This complex network connects libraries, schools, county service centers and city halls — forming an institutional network, or I-Net. Courtrooms, National Guard armories, hospitals, county parks, colleges and even the Minnesota Zoo use the I-Net to provide services.

318 MILES Of cable would stretch from Apple Valley to Canada

The network enhances public safety, too. Emergency dispatchers receive 911 calls and talk with law enforcement and first responders through the network. The I-Net also allows us to continually monitor the county-owned Byllesby Dam, so we can react quickly when water conditions change.

Our Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) is connected through the I-Net. The ATMS allows real-time adjustments to the signals, such as changing their timing based on traffic volume, to help improve traffic safety and flow along county roads. Thus far, 66 of the 305 traffic signals are connected to the I-Net. In 2020, at least 25 more signals are expected to be added.

The county is responsible for storing sensitive information — court records, medical documents, tax files and other

4 | www.dakotacounty.us | spring/summer 2020

The network improves our customer service. Customers can conveniently pay for skis or other rental equipment by credit card at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center. Residents and visitors can access Wi-Fi in county buildings to complete applications or do homework. Library visitors can use maker technology such as editing software and 3D printers.

Public health nurses can check in with certain patients by video rather than having to schedule home visits.

The I-Net saves money, too. Property tax dollars are used to pay for onetime cable installation and for maintenance, but we don’t have to pay for and rely on cable providers to connect most county buildings and facilities. For instance, rather than paying a private cable provider, we installed our own cable between a county office in Hastings and the Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount — reducing our costs by $50,000 a year. Cities and schools can also save money by partnering with the county to access the network at a lower rate.

In Brief | Reaching our residents As we bring additional county, city and school buildings onto the network, we coordinate with partners to install the fiber as part of other road or construction projects. That way we’re not paying to dig a second time.

We’re always looking ahead and planning future connections. Last year, we connected a new Inver Grove Heights fire station to the I-Net knowing that we’ll extend that connection to the regional SMART Center law enforcement training facility that will be built nearby.

…we coordinate with partners to install the fiber as part of other road or construction projects.

The I-Net doesn’t provide internet service to private homes, but it could serve other uses. The Dakota Broadband Board, a partnership among Dakota County and cities, has the fiber capacity to allow internet service providers to leverage that infrastructure and offer commercial broadband to businesses and homes, improving service and lowering costs.

Our priority is to continue finding cost-effective ways to use, maintain and expand this underground information superhighway to enhance public safety and provide reliable services that residents depend on every day.

Spreading the word Besides this award-winning newsletter, Dakota County communicates with residents in a host of digital ways.

The county’s website, email lists and social media feeds all provide different and convenient ways to get the latest news and information to our residents.

16,000 addresses three years ago — an increase of more than 156 percent. These topic-based email newsletters contain information on the environment, parks, libraries, public health, public meetings and an array of other subjects.

The Dakota County website — your one-stop shop to find information on every county department and service — had more than 3.8 million visits in 2019 — compared with more than 2.9 million in 2014, an almost 31-percent increase in five years.

Our social media presence continues to grow, too. In the last two years, the county’s Facebook page has nearly tripled from 1,578 followers to 4,728 in December 2019. Twitter and LinkedIn followers increased by 37 percent and 30 percent, respectively, in the last year.

In 2018, the website’s 3.89 million visits were more than the in-person visits to the county’s parks, greenways and libraries combined (3.75 million).

Email and social media services provide a more targeted approach to get information to the people who need it.

They have also seen increased use.

Almost 42,000 email addresses now receive e-news from the county compared to a little more than

+ +

These increases help us deliver more news and information about what we do and the services we provide to more people. Don’t be left out. Sign up for the county’s e-news by going to www.dakotacounty.us and searching e-news. Or, you can go to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram and NextDoor and search Dakota County.

42,000 e-news subscribers 4,728 Facebook followers 3.8M website visits in 2019

100% spring/summer 2020 | www.dakotacounty.us |

5

In Brief | Dates for your calendar

Plan on it Know what to do this spring and summer March 18

April 17

Meet local employers from 3–6 p.m. at Wentworth Library to learn how to develop the skills needed to get your first job. www.dakotacounty.us/library, search first job readiness.

Residents and business owners are invited to the Western Service Center from 7:30–9 a.m. to hear about the current state of the county and ask questions of the County Board chair and county manager. Register at countyadmin@co.dakota.mn.us.

Teen Job Fair

March–June Fix-It Clinics

Get free help fixing everything from shorts to lamps. Find dates, times and locations at www.dakotacounty.us, search fix-it clinics.

March 31

Tour de Trash Learn what happens at a landfill, compost site, recycling center and The Recycling Zone on a field trip from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. $10 fee covers busing and lunch. www.dakotacounty.us, search tour de trash.

April–May WHEP

Volunteer with the Wetland Health Evaluation Program and help monitor county wetlands through field and lab research. www.dakotacounty.us, search whep.

April–June

Transportation Options 101 Learn about transportation options available in Dakota County. www.dakotacounty.us, search godakota.

• April 7, 2–3 p.m.

Northern Service Center, West St. Paul • June 25, 1–2 p.m.

Western Service Center, Apple Valley

State of the County Address

April–May

HHW Drop-off Safely dispose of chemicals, confidential material and electronics for free ($10 fee for TVs and computer monitors) from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. www.dakotacounty.us, search one-day collection.

• April 25, Cal Ruedy Public Works Building, Hastings • May 2, Lakeville Central Maintenance Facility, Lakeville

April 25

Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros

April–November

County Road 26 — Eagan Reconstruct County Road 43 intersection. Traffic detoured.

County Road 23 — Greenvale Township Reconstruct from 307th Street to Eveleth Avenue. Traffic detoured.

April–November

County Road 73 — Rosemount Reconstruct from Bonaire Path north to city limit. Traffic detoured.

May–November

County Road 9 — Lakeville Reconstruct 194th Street intersection. Intermittent detours.

County Road 70 — Lakeville Reconstruct from County Road 5S to County Road 23. Traffic detoured.

Celebrate children’s literacy with bilingual storytime, live entertainment and more from 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Wentworth Library. www.dakotacounty. us/library, search el dia.

County Highway 78 — Castle Rock Township

May–July

Highway 3 — West St. Paul

Rideshare 101 Free hands-on training for using rideshare options like Uber and Lyft. www.dakotacounty.us, search godakota.

• May 29, 2–3 p.m.

Northern Service Center, West St. Paul • July 21, 1–2 p.m.

Western Service Center, Apple Valley

June 17

April 15-May 20

Spores Galore! Public Health Emergency Exercise

Master waste reduction, recycling and composting and learn to inspire others on Wednesdays, 6:30–9 p.m. at Dodge Nature Center. www.dakotacounty.us, search master recycler.

Help us evaluate our emergency response to an anthrax attack during a statewide preparedness exercise.

Participants will walk through a dispensing point to help identify areas for improvement. To participate, email phhan@co.dakota.mn.us.

Master Recycler/Composter Class

Construction updates

6 | www.dakotacounty.us | spring/summer 2020

Reconstruct from Highway 3 to County Road 79. Traffic detoured.

June–August

Construct pedestrian crossing at Crawford Drive. Traffic detoured.

July–September

County Road 9 — Lakeville Reconstruct Icenic Trail/Heritage Drive intersection. Intermittent detours.

August–September

County Road 42 — Burnsville Overlay from west county line to County Road 5. Intermittent detours.

Find a full list or have updates sent to your inbox at www.dakotacounty.us, search road construction.

Data

ta Da

D at a

7 ENSURING TOP-NOTCH SERVICE 9 PROPER DRUG DISPOSAL 10 KNOW COUNTY ROADS

ta a D

Always improving %

Making sure the service we provide is always top-notch

We provide more than 200 services to residents — from food assistance to parks and housing support to road maintenance.

To help make sure we do it efficiently and cost-effectively, we rely on an in-house team of specialists.

spring/summer 2020 | www.dakotacounty.us |

7

Our Work | Ensuring top-notch service This team, known as the Office of Performance and Analysis, plays the roles of consultant, evaluator, number-crunching analyst and adviser. They gather and provide data to help us understand changes in county demographics, so we can improve how we provide services. They gather and analyze resident feedback, such as the Residential Survey.

They work with us to find ways to save money by making our work more efficient and effective, and their input helps the Dakota County Board of Commissioners prioritize how they spend taxpayer dollars.

They also help make services more convenient for you. Working with staff, they found ways to improve the drop-off process at The Recycling Zone in Eagan, which sees 63,000 visitors a year. Instead of getting out of your car to have your driver’s license scanned, now you stay in your car while your household hazardous waste and recyclables are unloaded

by The Recycling Zone staff.

It’s still free for most items, and it gets you in and out more efficiently to save you time.

Our in-house team of specialists makes sure we always strive to do better.

Our team’s analysis helped improve library hours. We created consistent Sunday hours at six library locations, and last year began opening all locations an hour earlier and closing them just a half-hour earlier. Most locations are now open an additional three hours each week. We were able to make this change by adjusting staff schedules, rather than hiring additional employees, while providing the same high level of service.

The team helped us to be innovative when we looked for a better way to

IMPROVING THE DROP-OFF PROCESS FOR

63,000 VISITORS

8 | www.dakotacounty.us | spring/summer 2020

REDUCING PUBLIC HEALTH COSTS BY

$22,000

treat people who have tuberculosis.

Treatment for the disease requires that a public health nurse observe a patient take medications daily.

Our staff studied how to provide that care without the need for at-home visits, which can be intrusive and more costly.

Now nurses interact with their patients by video, saving an estimated $22,000 in the first year, including nearly $18,000 in staff time and more than $4,400 in mileage expenses. The program is only in its second year, but it has proven to reduce cost, improve service to patients and free up nurses’ time to treat additional clients.

Our team can conduct its own research to improve services rather than hiring more costly consultants who aren’t as familiar with the county.

Our social services staff now have a new way of auditing their work to help people with disabilities get a job or housing, and they don’t have to hire an expensive firm to conduct those reviews. We were able to do that by

REDUCING SOCIAL SERVICES AUDITING COSTS TO

$0

Our Work | Proper drug disposal PULL studying hundreds of pages of client reports and developing a consistent way to review them in the future.

Our team also helps us expand services in a fiscally responsible way, such as when we planned to add camper cabins at Whitetail Woods Regional Park. The existing three cabins are in high demand — they were reserved 87 percent of the time in a recent one-year period.

Our team studied the best number and size of new cabins to be built.

They recommended two cabins and suggested designs to reduce future maintenance and repair costs. We plan to open the two new cabins later this year.

Getting rid of meds the right way Last year, Dakota County residents turned in 12,480 pounds of prescription drugs for proper disposal — that’s the equivalent of four compact cars.

9

LOCATIONS

There are nine drop-off boxes located throughout the county — at the Sheriff’s Office in Hastings and at police stations in Apple Valley, Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St. Paul and West St. Paul.

Many cities also hold prescription drug take back events. The collected meds from both the boxes and these events are brought to the Dakota County Drug Task Force to be counted before they’re sent to an incinerator to be destroyed.

Continually evaluating how we do business and improving the high-quality services we provide is important in making the most of your tax dollar. Our in-house team of specialists makes sure we always strive to do better.

IMPROVING LIBRARY SERVICE HOURS AT

MEDICATIONS DROP BOX

To find the best location to drop off your unused medications, visit www.dakotacounty.us and search prescription drug drop-off.

12,480 POUNDS

OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Prescription drug drop-off boxes provide an easy way for residents to get rid of their unused and expired medications — limiting the supply of drugs accessible to those who might abuse them. They’re important tools in helping us stem opioid addiction in our communities.

Using these boxes to dispose of prescription drugs also keeps drugs from being washed or flushed down the drain where they can contaminate our drinking water.

Keep leftover meds out of innocent hands

In the last five years, the total number of pounds collected increased by 71 percent. spring/summer 2020 | www.dakotacounty.us |

9

Our Work | Know county roads

The road more traveled Other than the signs along the roadway, it’s sometimes hard to know whether you’re on a state or county roadway.

In general, county roads connect one city to another — like County Road 50 between Lakeville and Farmington — or connect a city to a state or interstate highway — like County Road 42 between Apple Valley and Interstate 35. Some are thoroughfares through a city — like County Road 8 (Wentworth Avenue) in West St. Paul. State highways like Highway 55, Highway 52 and Highway 3 are generally longer and connect multiple counties together.

Knowing the difference matters because it helps commuters know who to contact when issues arise — congestion, potholes or non-functioning signals— and what roads are involved when they provide input on long-term county roadway plans.

Long-term planning keeps our transportation system in good condition and helps us build new roads and bridges where we need them to keep communities connected.

Over the past five years, we added more than 36 miles of roadway lanes to the 415-mile county road system to keep commuters traveling efficiently.

415

miles of county roads

95–97% earned fair or good rating

95

%

bridge sufficiency rating

10 | www.dakotacounty.us

Every two years, the Minnesota Department of Transportation rates the surface quality of our paved roads. For more than 10 years, 95–97 percent of our roadways earned a fair or good rating because of how we maintain them. Good ratings mean lower maintenance costs over the road’s life cycle.

Over the past two years, we replaced five outdated bridges along county roads — bringing our average bridge sufficiency rating to 94.6 percent — among the highest in Minnesota.

To continually improve, we’re working on two major plans that will have a huge effect on our transportation system in the coming years. Having a clear understanding of which roads are part of the county system can help everyone

provide the feedback needed to keep Dakota County on the move and deliver good value for your tax dollar.

2040 Transportation Plan The County Transportation Plan is updated every 10 years to plan and prepare for community and retail growth across the county over the next 20 years and to identify the County’s longterm transportation investment needs.

Concepts and recommendations are in the works and will be available for public feedback through June 2020. Find more at www.dakotacounty.us, search 2040 transportation plan update.

County Road 42 A visioning study for County Road 42 — Burnsville to Rosemount — will begin in 2020. The study will look at traffic growth and planned land use through 2040. It will also provide the framework for cost‐effective ways to improve travel and safety of vehicles and pedestrians as well as community connections across County Road 42. Watch our website and social media for public meetings and input opportunities.

11 CLEARING ACTIVE WARRANTS 13 EXPANDING OUTREACH 14 MEETING THE NEEDS

A warranted change A better way to resolve misdemeanor warrants

Most people with an active warrant for their arrest aren’t felons wanted for murder or aggravated assault. Most aren’t making our communities more dangerous. In fact, a large majority — about 80 percent — of warrants are because someone missed a court date.

spring/summer 2020 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Community | Clearing active warrants

80%

About of warrants are because someone missed a court date.

By resolving warrants in a community setting, it means Sheriff’s deputies and police officers don’t have to spend hours arresting and booking low-level offenders.

Missing a court date can happen for any number of reasons. Some people don’t have a way to get to the courthouse, have physical or mental health problems, can’t afford to miss work, or can’t post bail or pay fines.

Once an arrest warrant is issued, many are scared to go out in public for fear of being picked up, which makes it difficult to find and keep a job or residence. Some may be experiencing homelessness or have chemical dependency. In these instances, treatment coupled with a plan for ongoing services and supports will do more to promote long-term public safety than a stint in jail.

Court locations at the Dakota County Northern Service Center in West St. Paul, Western Service Center in Apple Valley and Judicial Center in Hastings allow you to post bail or bond without being arrested, but they can sometimes be intimidating for those with mental health issues or who can’t afford bail.

44

Dakota County warrants cleared in 2018

A complicated judicial system Once you have a warrant for your arrest, it can be difficult to navigate the judicial system. For example, you can turn yourself in at numerous locations across the county, but different locations have different processing times.

You can also turn yourself in at the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office or any city police department, but they are required to arrest and book you before posting bail — a process that could take more than a day, depending on when you turn yourself in to authorities.

12 | www.dakotacounty.us | spring/summer 2020

For people with mental and physical health issues or chemical dependency, this could mean missed medical or therapy appointments.

Getting residents unstuck That’s why Dakota County partners with other law enforcement agencies to host warrant resolution events.

These events help people get unstuck from the judicial system by providing a place to address active warrants for misdemeanor crimes and resolve court cases without being arrested.

They are usually held in a community location to make the process less threatening.

In November 2018, Dakota County conducted its own warrant resolution event at the Northern Service Center. Forty-eight warrants were cleared with 44 of them from Dakota County. The event also resolved three warrants from Scott County and one from Rice County.

Community | Expanding outreach In June 2019, we partnered with Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties for a warrant resolution event at Washington Technical Magnet School in St. Paul. The oneday event cleared 1,383 warrants — 93 from Dakota County.

93

Dakota County warrants cleared in 2019 Holding people accountable Resolving warrants doesn’t mean people get off scot-free. Each person is given a new court date to settle their charges, but they no longer live looking over their shoulder. They are free to find jobs and housing or continue medical or mental health treatment, but they still take responsibility for their actions.

Increasing law enforcement efficiency Warrant resolution events are also helpful to law enforcement. By resolving warrants in a community setting, it means sheriff’s deputies and police officers don’t have to spend hours arresting and booking low-level offenders. They can instead use their time making the community safer.

For more information on Dakota County warrant resolution events, go to www.dakotacounty.us and search warrants.

Maximizing our resources We’re all about maximizing our resources and saving tax dollars.

That’s why investing in volunteers is so important. Last year, more than 5,000 people donated their time and talents to help us complete more than $1 million worth of projects we otherwise couldn’t pursue and to reach and educate others in their community.

Most volunteers receive basic training that includes news about our current projects and services. That information spreads when volunteers go home and share it in their communities.

More than 20 Homework Help tutors volunteer to get kids the extra help they need to succeed in school. We piloted this program and helped nearly 300 students at the Burnhaven Library during the 2017–2018 school year. Now in its third year, the program is offered at both Burnhaven and Galaxie library locations two days each week. More than 400 K–12 students took advantage of the program in 2019.

For those who can’t visit the library in person because of illness or disability, our newly launched Library Home Delivery program can bring a variety of resources to your doorstep — courtesy

of our volunteer corps. Contact the library location nearest you for details.

Similarly, 109 people donated their expertise at our Fix-It Clinic events since 2016, giving new life to items that would otherwise be considered waste. More than 500 residents visited our 2019 clinics which resulted in 851 items being repaired — keeping 3,835 pounds of waste out of our landfills.

Since 2014, 290 volunteers received training as Master Recyclers/ Composters. Now, they’re helping educate our communities about what waste goes where, so we can recycle better. They’ve shared their knowledge with nearly 60,000 residents in the last five years. Likewise, 23 Master Water Stewards are helping residents learn how to keep our water clean, through education and the construction of rain and native gardens.

These are just a sampling of the many volunteer and outreach opportunities we offer — we add new opportunities every year. Our volunteer ranks have grown by nearly 50 percent in each of the last five years. If you’re interested in getting involved, visit www.dakotacounty.us and search volunteering.

VALUE IN 2019: >$1M 300

STUDENTS HELPED

720

ITEMS REPAIRED

60,000

RESIDENTS REACHED

50%

MORE VOLUNTEERS EACH YEAR

spring/summer 2020 | www.dakotacounty.us |

13

Community | Meeting the needs

A comfortable place for everyone At Dakota County, we want our spaces and services to meet the needs of all our residents and visitors, and the Dakota County Library is leading the way in doing just that.

Recently, three library locations were remodeled to add calming spaces.

Galaxie in Apple Valley, Pleasant Hill in Hastings and Heritage in Lakeville now have rooms with furniture and other supports to aid those with autism and other disabilities when they’re feeling overwhelmed.

more to help residents of all abilities communicate and regulate sensory input. The kits are available at the service desk for use in the library.

A two-year Innovations Grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services is helping us provide staff training on ways to make our services and spaces more inviting for people of all abilities. As a result, we’re modifying our social media content to reach those with hearing or vision impairments.

Additionally, we’re partnering with the Metro Deaf School to provide American Sign Language programs, and we added Sensory-Friendly Saturdays at some locations to make library spaces more inviting for those on the autism spectrum or with sensory sensitivities.

Our material checkout stations are also designed at a height that is accessible for patrons of all ages and abilities.

90% More than

of participants report feeling more welcome at the library

45

programs are offered for or about disabilities To make the spaces as welcoming as possible, we partnered with the Autism Society of Minnesota and Fraser, a provider of autism and early childhood mental health services, to design and equip the spaces. The rooms are open for anyone to use.

Accessibility kits are offered at all library locations. The accessibility kit includes noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, a white board and much

We also added programs specifically for those with disabilities and about disabilities to foster greater understanding and inclusion. A Department of Human Services grant has allowed us to offer 45 such programs since June 2018. More than 90 percent of participants report feeling more welcome at the library, more connected to the community, and more informed on issues and topics of disability and inclusion after attending a program.

14 | www.dakotacounty.us | spring/summer 2020

We are responsive to suggestions about how we can do better. When we discovered that it was hard to maneuver a wheelchair into one of our conference rooms, we rearranged the shelving to make it more accessible.

If there is a way to make a library service or facility easier to use for you or your family, tell us at askalibrarian@co.dakota.mn.us or stop by the library service desk.

Your Parks

PROGRAMS & EVENTS • SPRING & SUMMER 2020

The joy of fishing INSIDE

Family Fridays Music in the Park Day Camps

www.dakotacounty.us/parks

A fun time — hook, line and sinker If you’re looking for a great way to spend time outdoors — alone or with family and friends — fishing is a perfect activity. With lots of access to local shoreline in Dakota County, fishing is a tradition that all ages can enjoy. It’s also a good way to get outside, enjoy nature and spend quality time with loved ones.

When you think of fishing, you might think of popular lakes found in northern or central Minnesota such as Leech, Red or Mille Lacs, but did you know that Dakota County Parks offers great fishing opportunities closer to home?

Many lakes in Dakota County parks support a variety of fish species ranging from “dock friendly” crappie and sunfish to more exciting challenges such as northern pike and largemouth bass. You don’t even need to own a boat. You can fish for free from the piers at Holland and McDonough lakes in Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan or Thompson Lake in Thompson County Park in West St. Paul. Shore fishing is a draw at Lake Byllesby in Lake Byllesby Regional Park near Cannon Falls, at Trout Brook and the Cannon River in Miesville Ravine Park Reserve near Miesville, or from the Minnesota River shore along the Minnesota River Greenway in Burnsville. A fishing license is not required for ages 15 years and younger.

program held each year in early June.

Over the past 5 years, more than 800 kids learned and practiced new fishing skills and had fun with “fishy” activities at the program.

More than

300

No equipment? No problem. Free fishing poles and tackle boxes are available at the Lebanon Hills Regional Park Visitor Center and for campers of all ages staying at the Lake Byllesby and Lebanon Hills campgrounds during the summer months. More than 300 fishing poles are loaned out Memorial Day through Labor Day each year to park guests.

fishing poles are loaned out each year

More than

800

kids learned and practiced new fishing skills

If you’re new to the sport, beginner level courses are available through Dakota County Parks' Outdoor Education Program. Kids can also learn how to fish at the Take a Kid Fishing

Take a kid fishing www.dakotacounty.us/parks, search take a kid fishing

e e Frvent e

Where to catch 'em

How to take a kid fishing PLAN AHEAD. Let your kids help plan the trip and pack supplies.

CATCH YOUR BAIT. Buy minnows or night crawlers or let the kids dig for worms or use pieces of hot dogs or corn kernels. Properly dispose of all unused bait.

USE SIMPLE TACKLE. Buy a good, ultra-light rod and reel with a spool of 2–4-pound test line and small hooks (size 10 or smaller).

DRESS RIGHT. Be prepared to go from shorts to a wind-breaker or rain jacket and back again. Wear sunglasses and a hat for sun protection.

BRING THE BASICS. Pack snacks like pretzels, fruit, sandwiches and water; bugspray; sunscreen; towelettes; and a small first-aid kit.

ie pp Cra sh nfi Su s s Ba th ou em fish t rg La el Ca n e an lley Ch Wa t u Tro ss

ite

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Holland Lake Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Eagan

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Ba

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Wh

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Lake Byllesby Lake Byllesby Regional Park, Cannon Falls

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McDonough Lake Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Eagan Thompson Lake Thompson County Park, West St. Paul Trout Brook & Cannon River Miesville Ravine Park Reserve, Miesville

PREPARE FOR NATURE’S CALL. Know where the nearest restroom or outdoor toilet is.

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MAKE IT FUN. Allow time and give permission for wading in the water, skipping stones or catching frogs, so they’ll want to go fishing again.

BE SAFE. Remind kids to check behind them before casting, how to properly bait a hook and about safety rules around water.

MAKE MEMORIES. Most kids are satisfied catching lots of smaller fish rather than fewer, bigger fish.

Target areas with a high likelihood of success and take pictures.

Biking Boating

• •

• •

• •

Camper cabin Camping Canoeing/Kayaking

• •

Cross-country skiing Dog on-leash

Pick up a Parks and Greenways Guide at any park facility.

Dogsledding/Skijoring Fishing

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•

•

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Gardening Geocaching Hiking

• •

Horseback riding

In-line skating

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Kicksledding Mountain biking

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Picnicking Play area Recreational bonfire

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Skate skiing Sledding Snowshoeing Swimming

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Visitor Center Walking

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Nature play Paddleboarding

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Horseshoes Ice skating

Whitetail Woods Regional Park

Thompson County Park

Archery

Spring Lake Park Reserve

Miesville Ravine Park Reserve

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Lake Byllesby Regional Park

PARKS AND GREENWAYS

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Equipment Rental

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PROGRAMS & EVENTS HOMESCHOOL LAB YOUTH KNEE-HIGH NATURALISTS

Discover nature with a child through hands-on activities, outdoor exploration, art projects, storytime and more.

Ages: 3–6 Fee: $8/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Marvelous Mud

Explore the world of mud, learn how it is made and what you can do with it.

Create art to take home.

Activity Number: 112001-01 • Thu, April 9; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 112001-02 • Sat, April 18; 10–11:30 am

Rain and Water

Explore water — from your tap to the lake. Observe pond life and create water art to take home.

Activity Number: 112001-03 • Thu, May 7; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 112001-04 • Sat, May 9; 10–11:30 am

A Parade of Ants

Discover the world of ants. Build a giant ant hill, view the world as an ant and go on a bug hunt.

Activity Number: 112001-05 • Thu, June 11; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 112001-06 • Sat, June 13; 10–11:30 am

Sun and Shadows

See how the sun moves, learn how shade and sun are different and make a suncatcher to take home.

Activity Number: 112001-07 • Thu, July 9; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 112001-08 • Sat, July 11; 10–11:30 am

Grasshoppers Galore

Explore the life of a grasshopper and its habitat through hands-on bug catching and prairie exploration.

Activity Number: 112001-09 • Thu, Aug. 6; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 112001-10 • Sat, Aug. 8; 10–11:30 am

Goldenrod and Galls

Learn about goldenrod and the many animals — including monarch butterflies and gall wasps — that rely on it.

Activity Number: 112001-11 • Thu, Sept. 10; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 112001-12 • Sat, Sept. 12; 10-11:30 am

Use the park as your lab for handson study and scientific inquiry and experimentation.

Ages: 6–12 Fee: $8/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Tree Identification

Celebrate Arbor Month by learning to identify native Minnesota trees by buds, bark and branches.

Activity Number: 111501-01 • Wed, April 1; 1–3 pm

Invertebrate Investigate

Explore the world of centipedes, snails and other spineless wonders and their role in the environment.

Activity Number: 111501-02 • Wed, May 6; 1–3 pm

Fishing Frenzy

Learn about Minnesota's fish families and cast a line to try to land a lunker.

Activity Number: 111501-03 • Wed, June 3; 1–3 pm

Prairie Ecology

Discover North America's most endangered habitat through grasses, flowers, animal evidence and games.

Activity Number: 111501-04 • Wed, Sept. 9; 1–3 pm

SCOUT BADGES

Earn your scout badge, petal or adventure in these two-hour programs.

Fee: $8/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Brownie Girl Scouts: Bug Badge

Learn about insects and catch and examine them up close.

Ages: 6–9 Activity Number: 112302-01 • Tue, Sept. 15; 6–8 pm

Junior Girl Scouts: Animal Habitats

Investigate animal and endangered habitats and learn what you can do to help protect them.

Ages: 9–11 Activity Number: 112303-01 • Thu, Sept. 17; 6–8 pm

Bear Cubs: Fur, Feather and Fins

Learn about endangered species and examine plants as part of your adventure.

Ages: 8–9 Activity Number: 112307-01 • Tue, Sept. 22; 6–8 pm

www.dakotacounty.us/parks Click programs & events

Webelos: Into the Woods

Take a hike to examine park ecosystems and the role animals and plants play in ecosystem health.

Ages: 9–11 Activity Number: 112308-01 • Thu, Sept. 24; 6–8 pm

SENSORY-FRIENDLY SUNDAYS Learn about the seasons and what's happening outdoors through books and activities in our indoor classroom.

Ages: 5–10 Fee: Free Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Springtime

Activity Number: 111002-01 • Sun, April 5; 10–11 am

Summertime

Activity Number: 111002-02 • Sun, Aug. 23; 10–11 am

CAMPS LITTLE RIPPERS MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP

Join us for a day camp designed for young riders, taught by experts from Valley Bike and Ski. Bring your mountain bike and helmet.

No previous experience required.

A limited number of bikes available for rent.

Ages: 6–10 Fee: $30/youth Mountain Bike Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110406-01 • Wed, June 10; 9 am–noon Activity Number: 110406-02 • Wed, Aug. 12; 9 am–noon

SMALL FRY FISH CAMP

Join us for a day camp designed for young anglers. Learn the basics of fishing, how to cast, tie knots and get out on the water to catch the big one.

Ages: 6–8 Fee: $35/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110407-01 • Fri, June 12; 9 am–3 pm

FISH CAMP

Explore the world of Minnesota fish through hands-on games and activities and spend the afternoons learning to cast, catch and release.

Ages: 8–12 Fee: $90/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110401-01 • Wed–Fri, June 17–19; 9 am–3 pm

BOOKS IN THE WOODS CAMP

A camp for our littlest nature explorers. Read a different book each day and use the story to explore the park.

Ages: 4–6 Fee: $75/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110412-01 • Mon–Fri, June 22–26; 9 am–noon

MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP

Grab your mountain bike and helmet and join the experts from Valley Bike and Ski to learn bike handling skills, bike maintenance, trail maintenance and more. No previous experience required. A limited number of rental bikes available.

Ages: 10–15 Fee: $100/youth Mountain Bike Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110403-01 • Mon–Thu, July 6–9; 9 am–noon Activity Number: 110403-03 • Mon–Thu, Aug. 3–6; 9 am–noon

MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP FOR GIRLS

Grab your mountain bike and helmet and join the experts from Valley Bike and Ski to learn bike handling skills, bike maintenance, trail maintenance and more. No previous experience required. A limited number of rental bikes available.

Ages: 10–15 Fee: $100/youth Mountain Bike Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110403-02 • Mon–Thu, July 6–9; 9 am–3 pm

ARCHERY CAMP

Learn the basics of archery, including proper technique and range safety, through fun activities and spend afternoons target shooting.

Ages: 8–12 Fee: $90/youth Archery Shelter Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 110402-01 • Wed–Fri, July 15–17; 9 am–3 pm Activity Number: 110402-02 • Wed–Fri, Aug. 26–28; 9 am–3 pm

WILDERNESS SURVIVAL CAMP

Learn to survive in the woods by constructing survival shelters, building fires, and learning knot-tying skills, wayfinding and more.

Ages: 8–12 Fee: $150/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110404-01 • Mon–Fri, July 20–24; 9 am–3 pm

PROGRAMS & EVENTS JUNIOR NATURALISTS CAMP

WOODCOCK WALK

NATURE'S MARVELS CAMP

MILKWEED PAPERMAKING WORKSHOP

Get a feel for science in the field.

Work with park naturalists and ecologists to track and study plant and animal populations.

Ages: 10–14 Fee: $150/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110417-01 • Mon–Fri, Aug. 10–14; 9 am–3 pm

Master the art of camouflage, stealth, balance and awareness in nature.

Ages: 6–8 Fee: $90/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110416-01 • Wed–Fri, Aug. 19–21; 9 am–3 pm

FAMILY

Discover the well-camouflaged woodcock and take a walk to try to spot and hear this fascinating bird.

Ages: 8 and older Fee: $8/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111702-01 • Fri, April 10; 7:30–9 pm

Use milkweed fluff — a byproduct of our land restoration efforts — and other natural fibers to create paper cards for a Mother's Day gift or other uses.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $10/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110206-01 • Sun, April 26; 10 am–noon

PATIO POTS FOREVER WILD FAMILY FRIDAY

Join us for family fun on the first Friday of every month with park activities and s'mores.

All ages Fee: Free Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Fit in Nature

Get active with a nature walk, healthy activities and games.

Activity Number: 111001-01 • Fri, April 3; 6–7:30 pm

Spring Scavenger Hunt

Head outside for a springtime walk and phenology scavenger hunt.

Activity Number: 111001-02 • Fri, May 1; 6–7:30 pm

Fantastic Frogs

Dive into the world of frogs and toads.

Learn about their life cycle and habitat and play fun games.

Activity Number: 111001-03 • Fri, June 5; 6–7:30 pm

Picnic in the Park

Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy yard games in the park.

Activity Number: 111001-04 • Fri, July 3; 6–7:30 pm

Take Flight

Explore the world of flight by flying a kite, birdwatching and catching bugs.

Activity Number: 111001-05 • Fri, Aug. 7; 6–7:30 pm

Campfire Stories

Join us around the campfire for stories and songs.

Activity Number: 111001-06 • Fri, Sept. 4; 6–7:30 pm

Join us on Mother's Day to build a small patio pot. Learn about the importance of native plants for local pollinators.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $15/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111302-01 • Sun, May 10; 9–11 am

NATURE NIGHT

Join us for free family fun each season with park activities and s'mores.

All ages Fee: Free Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park

Kalpulli Ketzal Coatlicue

Join us for our spring family nature night at Thompson County Park with dancers from Kalpulli Ketzal Coatlicue, a community of indigenous people who learn and share Aztec dancing rooted in an understanding of the environment.

Activity Number: 111003-01 • Fri, May 22; 7–8:30 pm

Campfire Stories

Join us for stories and songs around the fire.

Activity Number: 111003-02 • Fri, Sept. 11; 7–8:30 pm

www.dakotacounty.us/parks Click Programs & Events

PARENT/CHILD CANOE

Spend an evening with your child learning the basics of canoeing and having fun with games and activities on the water.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $10/person Schulze Beach Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111902-01 • Tue, June 9; 6–8 pm Activity Number: 111902-02 • Tue, July 7; 6–8 pm

LEARN TO FISH

Learn everything you need to know to fish from Minnesota Trout Unlimited and Trout in the Classroom.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: Free; registration required Holland Lake Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111104-01 • Sat, June 13; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 111104-04 • Thu, July 16; 6–8 pm North Shelter Thompson County Park Activity Number: 111104-02 • Thu, June 25; 6–8 pm Activity Number: 111104-03 • Sat, July 11; 2–4 pm

MONARCH MIGRATION

Learn about the life of a monarch, including its amazing migration.

Catch monarchs in our prairie and participate in monarch tagging.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $8/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111703-01 • Sat, Sept. 5; 10 am–noon

PARENT/CHILD ARCHERY

Learn basic shooting techniques and range safety through games and activities.

Ages: 8 and older Fee: $15/person Archery Shelter Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 110101-02 • Sun, Sept. 13; 1–4 pm

NATURAL DYES WORKSHOP

Learn the basics of dying fabric with natural botanicals found in your backyard. Create your own scarf to take home.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $10/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110207-01 • Sun, Sept. 20; 9–11 am

PARENT/CHILD KAYAK

Spend an evening with your child learning the basics of kayaking and having fun with games and activities on the water.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $10/person Schulze Beach Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111901-01 • Tue, June 16; 6–8 pm Activity Number: 111901-02 • Tue, July 14; 6–8 pm

PUPPET WAGON

Join us for family-friendly puppet shows and activities by the City of Eagan’s puppet wagon.

All ages Fee: Free Visitor Center Trailhead Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110203-01 • Fridays, June 19–Aug. 7; 10–10:45 am

INTRO TO TROUT STREAMS Learn about trout streams and fly fishing with Minnesota Trout Unlimited.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: Free; registration required Trout Brook Shelter Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Activity Number: 111104-05 • Sat, Aug. 1; 10 am–noon

ADULT WILD ART

Join us to create art inspired by nature. Sponsored in part by Dakota County Library. A Minnesota Legacy program.

Beyond Perfection: Making books with what you have

Join Minnesota Center for Book Arts instructors to create a one-of-a-kind book using obsolete materials. Bring your own materials or use ours.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: Free; registration required Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park Activity Number: 110201-01 • Sat, April 11; 9–11 am

Printing with Nature

Join the Textile Center to learn different printmaking methods that capture the complex designs of leaves and flowers. Print onto a fabric tote bag.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: Free; registration required Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 110201-02 • Sat, April 25; 9–11 am

Call 952-891-7000 to register Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Painting Birds in Watercolor

Learn how to sketch your favorite birds to guide your painting and explore several watercolor techniques from Artistry.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: Free; registration required Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110201-03 • Sat, Sept. 19; 9–11 am

FLY FISHING WORKSHOP

Join the Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota for an in-depth introduction to fly fishing, casting techniques and fly tying.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $30/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111102-02 • Tue, April 21 & 28; 6–8 pm

INTRO TO FLY FISHING FOR WOMEN

Join us for a hands-on introduction to fly fishing, designed especially for women, taught by the Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $15/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111102-01 • Sat, April 25; 10 am–noon

HAMMOCK-MAKING WORKSHOP

Explore the art of hammock making and begin making your own.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $40/person Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park Activity Number: 110205-01 • Sat, April 25; 1–5 pm

WILDFLOWER WALK

Hike with a naturalist when the spring ephemerals are in full bloom. Learn basic wildflower identification while exploring trails.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $8/person Trout Brook Shelter Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Activity Number: 111403-02 • Sat, May 2; 9–11 am East Shelter Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 111403-01 • Sat, May 9; 9-11 am

REGISTRATION To register online, search for the program using the activity number or a key word in the program title.

Registration is not required for free programs unless noted. Satisfaction is guaranteed.

BIRDING ON THE MISSISSIPPI

Explore the Rock Island Swing Bridge and its unique vantage point of the Mississippi River while learning birding tips.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: Free; registration required Swing Bridge Park Shelter Mississippi River Greenway Activity Number: 111701-01 • Sun, May 3; 8–10 am

BUCKTHORN SPOON CARVING

Learn how to carve a spoon with instructors from Women's Woodshop using freshly cut buckthorn and traditional Nordic carving techniques.

Tree anatomy, axing out a blank, knife holds, drying and finishing will all be covered.

Ages: 18 and older Fee: $60/person Camp Sacajwea Retreat Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111710-01 • Thu, April 23; 6–9 pm

MOUNTAIN BIKE WORKSHOP FOR MEN Learn mountain biking skills for men from Valley Bike and Ski. Topics include bike handling skills, equipment, safety, trails and more.

For all skill levels. Limited number of demo bikes available for use.

Ages: 15 and older Fee: $50/person Mountain Bike Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110301-01 • Wednesdays May 20, 27 & June 3; 6–8 pm

MOUNTAIN BIKE WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN

Learn mountain biking skills for women, taught by women, from Valley Bike and Ski. Topics include bike handling skills, equipment, safety, trails and more. For all skill levels. Limited number of demo bikes available for use.

Ages: 15 and older Fee: $50/person Mountain Bike Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110301-02 • Wednesdays May 20, 27, & June 3; 6–8 pm Activity Number: 110301-03 • Wednesdays July 29, Aug. 5 & 12; 6–8 pm

PAYMENT Payment is due at registration.

All major credit cards are accepted.

IF WE NEED TO CANCEL Cancellations posted at www.dakotacounty.us/parks.

BACKYARD AGRICULTURE: BEEKEEPING BEYOND THE BASICS

If you already keep bees, this is the class for you. Join JoAnne Sabin to learn more about bee behavior, hive management and equipment beyond the basic woodenware and hive tool.

Get the latest news about bee health, swarms and simple queen rearing.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $30/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111301-01 • Thursdays, May 28 & June 4; 6–9 pm

BEGINNING BIRDING

Explore the restored Thompson Lake and learn basic birding tips and identification. Binoculars available.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $8/person North Shelter, Thompson County Park Activity Number: 111705-01 • Fri, May 29; 6–8 pm

FIX-IT CLINIC

Why buy what you already have?

Get outdoor gear, clothes and other equipment fixed for free, learn valuable repair skills and swap gear with others at this specialized Fix-it Clinic and Swap.

All ages Fee: Free Dakota Lodge, Thompson County Park Activity Number: 112401-01 • Sun, Sept. 27; noon–3 pm

EVENT EARTH DAY VOLUNTEER EXPO

Make every day Earth Day by learning about volunteer opportunities in and near Dakota County that support a healthy environment. A wide variety of volunteer events and locations are available throughout the year.

All ages Fee: Free Dakota Lodge, Thompson County Park • Wed, April 22; 6–8 pm

IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL Refund policy is posted at www.dakotacounty.us/parks, click Programs & Events.

SCHOLARSHIPS Call 952-891-7000.

TAKE A KID FISHING

Catch some quality time with a child in your life. Bring your own pole or borrow one of ours. Visit hands-on fishing stations to practice knot-tying, casting, baiting a hook and more.

Event opens at 11 a.m. for those with special needs, disabilities or sensory sensitivities.

All ages Fee: Free North Shelter, Thompson County Park • Sun, June 7; noon–3 pm

SUMMER SOLSTICE PARTY

Enjoy live music, yard games, food and fun now that summer is here.

All ages Fee: Free Amphitheater Whitetail Woods Regional Park • Sat, June 20; 5–9 pm

MUSIC IN THE PARK

Head to Whitetail Woods for entertaining musical performances and tasty food trucks.

All ages Fee: Free Amphitheater Whitetail Woods Regional Park • Tue, June 30; 5–7 pm • Tue, July 28; 5–7 pm • Tue, Aug. 25; 5–7 pm

ART IN THE PARK

Join local arts organizations for an afternoon of fun and engaging art activities and performances. Explore hands-on art stations. Event opens at noon for those with special needs, disabilities or sensory sensitivities.

All ages Fee: Free North Shelter, Thompson County Park • Sun, Aug. 2; 1–4 pm

WILD RIDE MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL

Ride some of the best mountain bike trails in the state. Multiple bike demo trailers and local bike shops will offer bike tune-ups, clinics, group rides and more. Free bike check-out available. Beer and hot food available for purchase.

All ages Fee: Free Mountain Bike Shelter Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sat, Sept. 19; 10 am–4 pm

ACCESSIBILITY At least three weeks before the program, tell us what accommodation would make the program accessible to you or your family.

EQUIPMENT Provided unless specified.

Celebrate. Gather. Relax.

Plan your next outing with family, friends or co-workers at a Dakota County park picnic shelter.

www.dakotacounty.us/parks, search picnic shelters

Hiking Horse Trail

(Pass Required)

Canoe Route Paved Trail

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Lebanon Hills Visitor Center SIMPLIFYING Parking

RECYCLING 25 DESIGNATED LIST OF RECYCLABLES

Equestrian Trailer Parking Restroom Restroom & Shower Portable Toilet Hiking Fire Ring Picnic Area Picnic Shelter Shelter Beach Playground Fishing Pier Boat Launch - Non-motorized Canoe/Kayak Rental Park Boundary Private Property www.dakotacounty.us/parks

Recycle this, not that Big changes coming to your recycling cart

We know recycling can be confusing. What we recycle can depend on the city we live in and sometimes varies from what our neighbors recycle because they have a different hauler. We aim to change that.

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Go Green | Simplifying recycling

The most significant change is the adoption of a basic “designated list of recyclables” that everyone — residents, businesses, schools and government — must recycle. The designated list is printed on the next page and is available on the county website at www.dakotacounty.us, search recycling list.

The list contains many of the items we already recycle — plastic bottles, containers and jugs; paper and

Other 2020 changes require haulers across the county to collect all items on the designated recycling list. Most haulers already collect these items and more, but the designated list ensures all haulers collect at least those items.

In 2020, haulers will be required to provide color-coded labels with clear language and images on all new carts and dumpsters, and by 2022, carts and dumpsters currently in use will get updated labels, too.

In addition, haulers must begin providing standardized recycling

messaging — developed by the county — to all customers at least once each year and must standardize their invoices, so they are easier to understand.

Property owners of multifamily units such as apartment buildings, townhomes and condominiums are also required to make changes, including providing standardized recycling education to tenants, properly labeling recycling and trash containers and making sure recycling containers have large enough capacity to collect all recyclables from the building.

Starting in 2022, haulers must achieve a higher recycling rate or offer weekly recycling service to all their residential customers.

With a current recycling rate of 55 percent in 2018, Dakota County has a long way to go to meet the state mandate of recycling 75 percent of waste by 2030. Standardizing our recycling requirements across the county is a giant step forward in helping us get there.

Standardizing what is recycled is a giant step toward getting us to 75 percent Dakota County recycling rate:

2030 Goal — 75%

Making recycling as easy as possible and ensuring everything that can be recycled gets recycled is important to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners, so in 2019, they approved changes to the county ordinance that addresses how we deal with our waste.

cardboard; cartons; metal cans; and glass bottles and jars. It also includes items that are not allowed in the recycling cart — batteries, food, diapers and more. Recycling everything on the designated list is required by residents, including residents in multifamily units, by 2021 to avoid violating the new ordinance.

Educating residents about the change is key in 2020, but continued violation could result in extra fees or haulers leaving behind non-recyclable items to prevent contaminating their load.

2018 — 55%

Standardizing the basic items that we all recycle — no matter where you live in Dakota County or the hauler you have — benefits everyone.

It makes recycling easier, reduces contamination, increases market demand for our recyclables, decreases waste going to landfills and, most important, helps our environment.

RECYCLE THIS PAPER

— DESIGNATED LIST OF RECYCLABLES

CANS

— empty and rinse • Metal food and beverage cans

• Newspaper and inserts • Magazines and catalogs • Mail and office paper

GLASS

CARDBOARD

— empty and rinse, caps on • Food and beverage bottles and jars

— flatten • Paperboard — cereal, cracker and tissue boxes • Corrugated cardboard

PLASTIC

CARTONS

— empty and rinse, caps on Beverage bottles

— empty and rinse, caps on • Beverage, soup, broth and milk cartons

Beverage, milk and laundry jugs

• Juice boxes

Food containers

NOT THAT

— NOT ALLOWED IN RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING CARTS

• Batteries • Clothing and textiles • Diapers • Food • Hazardous materials — chemicals, electronics

• Medical waste — sharps, medication • Metal cylinders • Napkins and tissues • Paper cups and plates

• Plastic bags and film • Shredded paper • Styrofoam • Tanglers: hoses, chains, cords, string lights

spring/summer 2020 | www.dakotacounty.us | 25 For disposal options, check www.dakotacounty.us, search green guide.

F E A T U R E

Balancing act

Providing high-quality services in a cost-effective way

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spring/summer 2020 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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B A L A N C I N G

A C T

Our community is better off when residents who need a little extra help get what they need to live healthier, more productive lives. Dakota County provides vital services — such as medical, disability, elderly and housing assistance — that make life better for thousands of residents every year. Find out how we deliver these high-quality services in a cost-effective way.

The services we provide help us care for residents with chronic diseases, educate young families and protect older residents and people with disabilities. Our work touches all stages of life — from prenatal health home visits for low-income families to burial assistance for our military veterans. We know how successful we are at delivering these services because we evaluate our efforts. We also share what’s working well and always look for ways to improve.

92% of visited

mothers had a healthy birth

3 ,228 checkups in 2018

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STARTING YOUNG The steps to living a healthy life begin early, and we do our part to make sure Dakota County’s youngest residents get a good start.

Sometimes that begins before birth. Young women, many from low-income families who qualify for government benefits such as Medical Assistance or are at high risk of pregnancy complications, work with public health nurses through the Family Health Program to get the help they need to have a healthy pregnancy. Nurses provide health tips and information to these women and refer them to specialized services when needed.

In 2018, our nurses visited 745 families in this program.

Also that year, 92 percent of children born to mothers who had been visited by a public health nurse had a healthy birth weight.

Helping kids as they grow is important too, including getting them set up with doctor visits, recommended immunizations, and food and child care assistance.

Through our Child and Teen Checkups program, we connect some of the lowest-income families in the county with vital health care services. This ensures they receive necessary care and education to prevent health problems, so they can keep their medical costs in check later in life. Checkups can include preventative medical care, dental visits and even mental health and developmental services. We don’t perform the services, but we connect families with doctors, dentists and other specialists who can.

In 2018, 54 percent of kids who were eligible for this program had at least one checkup. That was higher than the state average of 51 percent, but we know there’s more work to do. We reach out to these families to let them know why it’s important to schedule a checkup for their child, remind them to get an appointment, offer help with scheduling or transportation and provide one-on-one meetings as needed to help them through the process. Our outreach contributed to 3,228 checkups among low-income children in 2018.

STAYING HEALTHY There are other ways we help families stay healthy.

Our public health nurses offer immunization clinics throughout the year for adults and children who may not have insurance that covers immunization costs.

Residents can make an appointment or attend one of our monthly walk-in clinics. Last year, we gave 2,319 immunizations, the most in five years and 36 percent more than the 1,696 we gave in 2018. On top of that, we helped make getting a flu shot easier by holding off-site clinics at a health fair, homeless shelter and other locations. During those off-site clinics, we met with more than 150 people who received a total of nearly 300 immunizations.

2,319 immunizations given in 2019

For every $1 we spend on staffing, we collect

$4.37

in child support payments

We are more successful than other counties in securing child support. For every $1 we spend on staffing, we collect $4.37 in payments. Statewide, that number is only $3.26 in child support for every $1 in staffing. We help families collect more child support on average in Dakota County. They average $3,957, or 30 percent more than the statewide average of $3,049.

We’re proud of our cost-effective service in this area.

GETTING BACK ON TRACK Children have a greater chance at success now and later in life if they stay in school. However, for some kids, challenges at home cause them to miss class and become truant.

During the 2018-2019 school year, we partnered with school districts across the county to help 488 youth with truancy problems. We identify what is keeping them from being successful in school, such as family challenges or mental or chemical health concerns.

We work with families to get students the help they need and to make sure they are in the correct school program.

As a result of our truancy reduction efforts, 39 percent of these kids improved their school attendance. We continue to work with more than half of the kids to address the issues that keep them out of school. This can include providing tips to parents, connecting students with mental or chemical health treatment resources and finding alternative school options.

Some mothers and their children receive nutritional food and health resources through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. WIC provides nutrition and breastfeeding education, immunizations and health care referrals to those with no or low income.

In 2018, we provided nutrition and breastfeeding education to 9,638 women and children.

We also work with the courts to collect and distribute child support payments. This money helps a parent with primary custody of their child pay for housing, groceries and other essential items. In 2018, we managed nearly 12,500 child support cases totaling $31.6 million in child support that benefited more than 14,100 children.

39% increase in school attendance

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B A L A N C I N G

A C T

10 ,500 calls and visits for help in 2018

Domestic Violence Housing Crisis Mental Health Crisis Elderly/Disabled Maltreatment

Chemical Dependency Crisis

HELPING IN CRISIS Residents turn to us for help in some of their most stressful, challenging times. It might be a mental health crisis, life-threatening problems with drug and alcohol dependency or a lack of housing. We answer their call, learn about their situation, identify their most critical needs and find resources or other service providers who can help to improve their situation.

In 2018, we took more than 10,500 calls and visits from adults looking for help. On average, about 39 percent of these people were facing a housing crisis, such as the threat of eviction or homelessness. Another 31 percent were experiencing a chemical dependency crisis. Concerns about abuse or maltreatment of developmentally disabled or elderly adults made up about 17 percent of these cases while another 9 percent involved a mental health crisis. A variety of issues from employment to domestic violence made up the remaining 4 percent of cases.

We also help people who voluntarily seek treatment for drug or alcohol abuse, including about 500 people at any given time who receive state-funded assistance for chemical dependency treatment services. Fifty-six percent of residents who contacted us to enroll in a substance abuse program in 2018 completed it. That’s better than the state average of 51 percent. Residents can lead healthier and more productive lives when they receive the treatment they need.

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We’re often the first contact for residents facing homelessness or an uncertain future in their home.

Sometimes this is further complicated by mental illness or other challenges. Our Housing Support Program helps an average of 834 people each month by providing housing assistance funds and support services with a goal of preventing people from becoming homeless or being jailed or placed in a treatment facility. With the help of community partners, we’ve increased the number of beds available for people facing a housing crisis by 25 percent.

For those who are already experiencing a housing crisis, we partner with Matrix Housing Services to offer a homeless shelter that rotates among faith communities in Dakota County during the winter months. During the 2018-2019 winter season, the shelter served 236 people. Demand for shelter assistance this winter was even higher.

Low-income parents often struggle to pay for child care while they go to work. State and federal child care assistance funds are available to families who meet certain income and work requirements. The county acts as an arm of these agencies to distribute the funds locally.

From June 2018 to May 2019, we provided child care assistance funds to an average of 1,280 families and 2,023 total children. The average amount of child care benefits each family received for the year was $16,489.

834/mo Average of

people helped with housing assistance

Increased number of beds available by

25% with our partners

SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED Dakota County is home to 25,100 military veterans.

We help veterans find the benefits and resources they and their families are entitled to based on their service.

That includes federal, state and local benefits, including pension, education, health care and others.

In 2018, we helped 4,176 veterans gain access to those well-deserved benefits. Dakota County veterans received a total of $198 million in federal benefits that year.

Residents and volunteers in our community go out of their way to assist veterans and their families in times of need. In addition to tracking down benefits owed to veterans, we help the volunteer Dakota County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organizations assist veterans and active duty service members and their families. That volunteer help could include family physical and emotional support during a deployment or financial assistance. Through the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program, 581 veterans received 1,400 hours of volunteer help from residents and community partners in 2019 to accomplish everything from lawn care to grocery shopping.

We also assist veterans who are involved in the criminal justice system, including those serving time in jail, to access resources and benefits they are eligible to receive. The services help some veterans while they are in custody and other programs prepare them for success upon their release. In 2019, we helped 37 veterans in the Dakota County jail get mental health and chemical health services, health care and disability benefits, and employment resources. Some also received housing services when released.

monitoring. In 2018, we monitored 608 residents to ensure they met the conditions of their sentence.

The Sentencing to Service program is another alternative for some adults in the criminal justice system. Instead of being in jail, they complete supervised work projects in the community such as roadside cleanup. In 2018, they completed 44,154 hours of service. Also that year, the Sentencing to Service program reduced jail costs by $844,000 in 2018.

4 ,176 veterans gained access to well-deserved benefits

We also have a responsibility to work with others in the criminal justice system. We manage programs that allow residents who are serving a criminal sentence but who are allowed by court to complete their sentence outside of jail, such as through electronic home

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B A L A N C I N G

A C T

BEING PART OF THE COMMUNITY We want Dakota County to be a safe place for seniors to maintain healthy, productive lives, so we provide services to help them live independently or get the assistance they need when living on their own is no longer possible. We share information and resources that allow them to stay connected and remain part of the community. In 2018, we helped 5,700 people receive services that allow them to remain in their homes.

Staying active is an important step in physical and mental wellbeing, especially as our population ages.

We’re helping residents find ways to stay active and learn how to exercise and get around safely. Last year, more than 600 residents participated in our Simple Steps program that encourages adults of all ages to walk regularly, either independently or with a group.

That’s important in keeping our staff healthy too —

during the same year, more than 100 staff participated in the Simple Steps program.

Protecting older or vulnerable adults from abuse or maltreatment is a priority. Maltreatment could include physical or emotional abuse, poor care, or theft of their money or property. When we receive abuse or maltreatment reports, we take action and provide the services needed, find new care providers or refer the case to law enforcement for more investigation.

Reports of maltreatment of vulnerable adults has grown in recent years. In 2018, we opened 707 investigations of reported maltreatment, a 4 percent increase over the previous year. Nearly all cases were initially reviewed within a week of the report, and nearly 80 percent of our investigations were completed within two months. And in 2018, 98 percent of people who received our services after they had been maltreated were safe when their case was resolved.

98% maltreatment

600 Simple Steps participants

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victims safe when case was resolved

OFFERING A RIDE Reliable transportation can be a barrier for residents to live successfully on their own. If they don’t have a way to get around, keeping a job can be difficult.

Other residents need a way to get to the store or to medical appointments. Our GoDakota travel training program helps them learn about public and private transportation options available across the county.

Last year, more than 930 participated in the training to learn about the services available in their area.

Finding a way for residents who can work but need a way to get to their job can help them live more independently, so we partnered with Lyft, a rideshare company, to provide transportation for residents who receive county services, including those with developmental disabilities.

This partnership grew from 23 riders in the first month to nearly 200 just nine months later. The service has been successful — 70 percent of riders told us they are able to work more hours after a month of using Lyft to get to and from their job. We recently expanded this service to older adults who qualify for county assistance.

We help people of all ages get through a crisis, receive the medical or financial help they need, remain productive citizens, improve their wellbeing and enjoy a healthy life in Dakota County. It’s our responsibility to find the best ways to serve residents and make the best use of your tax dollars. We’re in great shape in this area, but we’re always looking for ways to do better.

It’s our responsibility to find the best ways to serve residents and make the best use of your tax dollars. We’re in great shape in this area, but we’re always looking for ways to do better.

70% of riders are able to work more

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Count everybody The U.S. Census counts every adult and child once every 10 years.

When every person is counted, we all benefit. Our population determines how much federal funding our communities get for housing, schools, roads, jobs, health care and other essential programs.

Be counted and encourage your neighbor to be counted, too.

Watch your mailbox for 2020 Census information.

Visit 2020Census.gov

Your Commissioners

Contact us

Email: board@co.dakota.mn.us Front row: Kathleen A. Gaylord, Mike Slavik (Chair), Thomas A. Egan Back row: Mary Liz Holberg, Chris Gerlach, Liz Workman, Joe Atkins

Mike Slavik

Kathleen A. Gaylord

District 1

T: 651-438-4427

Includes the cities of Coates, Farmington, Hampton, Hastings, Miesville, New Trier, Randolph, Vermillion, Northfield Precinct 2; townships of Castle Rock, Douglas, Empire, Eureka, Greenvale, Hampton, Marshan, Nininger, Randolph, Ravenna, Sciota, Vermillion and Waterford.

District 2

Joe Atkins

Mary Liz Holberg

T: 651-438-4430

T: 651-438-4243

District 4

Includes the cities of South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Sunfish Lake, and Inver Grove Heights Precincts 1 and 8–10.

Includes the cities of Inver Grove Heights Precincts 2–7; Eagan Precincts 8 and 13–17; and Rosemount Precincts 1–2, 4, and 6–7.

Thomas A. Egan

Liz Workman

T: 651-438-4429

T: 651-438-4431

T: 651-438-4428

District 3

Includes the cities of Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, and Eagan Precincts 1–7 and 9–12.

District 5

District 6

Includes the city of Lakeville.

Chris Gerlach District 7

T: 651-438-4411

Includes the cities of Rosemount Precincts 3 and 5, and Apple Valley.

Includes the city of Burnsville.

Keeping you informed for less than 40 cents Letting you know how your tax dollars are spent is important to Dakota County commissioners, and this newsletter is a costeffective way to do just that.

Its design is meant to create an appealing look and feel, so you’ll read it cover to cover.

To keep costs down, we limit production to twice a year and

combine it with the Dakota County Parks program guide.

The newsletter is written and designed by county staff.

Printing is awarded to the lowest bidder through a competitive bid process. The total cost, including postage, per residential household is 38 cents — less than the cost of a postage stamp.

Contact information Mary Beth Schubert, Communications Director marybeth.schubert@co.dakota.mn.us 651-438-8179

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NEW LOOK. CARSIDE SERVICE.

Dispose of household hazardous waste and recycle electronics and other household items at The Recycling Zone in Eagan.

Drop-off hours Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

9 a.m.–8 p.m. noon–8 p.m.

9 a.m.–5 p.m.

8 a.m.–5 p.m.

A valid driver’s license or photo ID. is required when dropping off materials.

The Recycling Zone 3365 Dodd Road, Eagan www.dakotacounty.us, search recycling zone

Drive up.

Drop off.

Do good.