Dakota County Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2017

county newsletter

Fall/Winter 2017

OUR WORK

Cracking down on crime Page 7

COMMUNITY

A match made in heaven Page 14

PARKS

Programs & events Page 15

A win-win scenario Get involved with County government Page 26

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

Online or mail-in survey

Postal Customer

Page 33

ECRWSS

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

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ADVANCED MAIL

Your Board of Commissioners and every employee at Dakota County strive to make our county a premiere place to live and work. To be most effective, we rely on you to tell us your needs and wants for parks, libraries, transportation, public health, public safety and more. There are lots of ways to know what’s happening in county government and to share your feedback. In this issue, we highlight a few of those opportunities and invite you to take a short survey at the end of this newsletter — either online or by mail.

Your input is important and will help us in our short- and long-term planning for Dakota County.

Contents Feature Page 26

A WIN-WIN SCENARIO To make the most informed decisions possible, we rely on input from the people our work impacts the most — our residents. There is a lot that good public participation does for our County. Learn about the best ways to get involved and make a difference.

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

Two more roundabouts will be added to county road intersections by the end of 2018. Learn why they’re a better choice for some locations.

We’re partnering with local cities and using cutting-edge technology to access cellphone and other digital data to give crime victims a voice and increase convictions.

Knowing what we have to offer and how well we offer it is an important first step in creating age-friendly communities in Dakota County.

Snow or no snow, winter is a spectacular time to head out to Dakota County parks. Put these top 10 things on your forever wild bucket list this season.

What better way to reduce organic waste than to stop producing it in the first place.

Learn the real cost of wasted food and what you can do to ‘save the food.’

F O L LOW U S

2 | www.dakotacounty.us | fall/winter 2017

3 THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD? 5 ASK THE WEBMASTER 6 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

STRAIGHT

RIGHT TURN

STRAIGHT

LEFT TURN

The best thing since sliced bread?

When it comes to roundabouts, many drivers say ‘yes’

In Dakota County, there is a growing number of roundabouts — 10 so far that intersect statecounty, county-county or countycity roads, and two more in the works over the next two years.

Why? The answer is simple — they’re safer, and they keep people moving.

fall/winter 2017 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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In Brief | The best thing since sliced bread?

CHEAPER

With roughly a quarter of all traffic fatalities in the United States associated with intersections, finding solutions that keep drivers and pedestrians safer while improving traffic flow is critical — and roundabouts do just that.

In the long run, overall operation of a roundabout can be less costly than a signalized intersection.

There are no electricity needs and no upkeep for technical hardware and signal timing equipment, and there are savings from the societal cost of serious crashes.

Roundabouts are also more effective in managing traffic during power outages, which can also spare critical resources when there is increased demand.

SAFER Studies show roundabouts reduce the types of crashes that cause death or serious injury by 80 percent at intersections where signals were previously used for traffic control. The physical shape of a roundabout lowers the speed of drivers moving through the intersection and eliminates left-hand turns within the intersection — reducing the number and most severe points of potential vehicle conflicts.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, roundabouts improved driver safety by reducing injury crashes by 76 percent and fatal crashes by 89 percent. Roundabouts are relatively new in Dakota County, but crash data from 2013–2015 shows accidents at the 158 signalized intersections in the County resulted in 38 serious injuries and six deaths, while accidents in the roundabouts that intersect with County roads have resulted in zero deaths and zero serious injuries.

BETTER

Reduced vehicle speeds in and around roundabouts improve pedestrian crossing opportunities, and roundabouts with a splitter island allows pedestrians to focus on one traffic stream at a time.

QUICKER Another benefit of roundabouts — reduced delay time. Drivers slow down and yield rather than stop, and there is no waiting for left turns.

Since installing the roundabout at County Roads 50 and 60 in Lakeville in 2015, drivers experience significantly less delay — from 53 seconds to 4 seconds in peak morning traffic and 122 seconds to 5 seconds in peak afternoon traffic.

4 | www.dakotacounty.us | fall/winter 2017

Landscaping in and around roundabouts adds natural elements to communities and helps transition traffic between high- and low-speed areas or between residential and commercial areas. Roundabouts also help decrease hard accelerations and vehicle idling time — reducing environmental impacts.

Roundabouts keep us moving — safely. With their numbers increasing over the coming years, they’re sure to continue delivering big benefits for all of us.

For more information visit www.dakotacounty.us, search roundabouts.

In Brief | Ask the webmaster NEW ROUNDABOUTS THROUGH 2018 • County Roads 8 (Oakdale Ave.) and 73 (Wentworth Ave. E.), West St. Paul • State Highway 3 (South Robert Trail) and County Road 26 (70th St.), Inver Grove Heights STRAIGHT

Talk to us Q: I am interested in job opportunities through your county.

Q: My fiancé and I are looking to get married soon. We are looking

Is there a newsletter or other method to receiving these notices when they are made available? — Justin D.

at maybe getting married at the courthouse. Who would we need to contact to figure out how to go about this? — Stephanie C.

A: Yes, Dakota County provides a couple different options to stay RIGHT TURN

LEFT TURN

ROUNDABOUT OR NO ROUNDABOUT? A number of factors are considered when deciding whether or not a roundabout is the best traffic control option at an intersection. A roundabout may be a good alternative if:

up to date on job opportunities.

A weekly newsletter with job listings can be emailed directly to your inbox. To sign up, go to www.dakotacounty.us and search e-news. You can also join Dakota County’s LinkedIn page to receive opportunities in the county. Go to www.linkedin.com and search Dakota County.

Q: I am looking for the legal description of my property in order to complete a Transfer on Death Deed as part of my estate planning. Can you tell me where to find the legal description of the property? — Bill K.

• An intersection has high crash or severity rates.

A: The legal description for your property is on a lot of different

• An intersection has balanced traffic flows.

documents although it is sometimes listed under different labels. Instead of looking for “legal description,” look for the terms “plat” and “lot and block” on your property card or look for the term “tax description” on your tax statement. Go to www.dakotacounty.us and click on Property Information Search to find the property card and tax statement for your address.

• The intersection location is flat.

• Major reconstruction is needed to meet traffic demands.

• It is more cost effective compared to other options.

Q&A

Job opps, saying “I do,” and property descriptions and boundaries

A: To get married at a Dakota County courthouse, go to www.mncourts.gov and search Dakota County weddings. You can call judges directly to set up a time and location.

On the day of the wedding, you’ll need to bring the marriage license, legal identification and two witnesses age 16 or older.

Q: We just bought our house and are looking to put a fence in the backyard. How do we get the accurate boundary lines for our property?

— Christi C.

A: You have a few different options to get accurate boundary lines. You can use the County’s Property Information Search website if the property was platted, which is completed for most developed areas.

Go to www.dakotacounty.us and click on Property Information Search.

You can also contact the County’s Surveyor’s Office at 952-891-7087 to see if a survey has been filed. If you can’t find the information you need, you can have your property surveyed by a private surveyor.

Before putting in any fence, you should also contact your city to make sure of their requirements.

fall/winter 2017 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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In Brief | Dates for your diary

Plan on it Know what to do this fall and winter September–December

Sept. 30

Get free help repairing broken household items. www.dakotacounty.us, search Fix-it Clinics.

Safely dispose of hazardous household waste for free from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Burnsville Maintenance Facility, 13713 Frontier Court in Burnsville. www.dakotacounty.us, search HHW events.

Fix-It Clinics

• Saturday, Sept. 16, noon–3 p.m.

Inver Glen Library • Saturday, Oct. 21, noon–3 p.m.

Heritage Library

HHW Drop-off

Oct. 7 & 14

Buckthorn Busters

• Saturday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Our Lady of Guadalupe 401 Concord St., St. Paul

Head to Lebanon Hills Regional Park from 9–11 a.m. to help remove and haul the invasive buckthorn.

Must be age 12 or older. www.dakotacounty.us, search volunteer.

Sept. 18–Nov. 6

October–December

• Saturday, Nov. 18, noon–3 p.m.

Wentworth Library

Matter of Balance Series Learn real-world strategies to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels for older adults. Class meets Mondays, 1–3 p.m. at Thompson Park Activity Center and includes group discussion and exercise. www.dakotacounty.us, search preventing falls.

Sept. 29

Tour de Trash Take a field trip from 8:30 a.m.– 3:30 p.m. and learn what happens at a landfill, compost site, recycling center and The Recycling Zone. $10 tour fee covers lunch and busing. Tour meets at Lebanon Hills Visitor Center in Eagan. www.dakotacounty.us, search Tour de Trash.

Sept. 30

National Public Lands Day Bring your family to Jensen Lake in Lebanon Hills Regional Park from 9 a.m.–noon to help restore natural habitats. See Parks programs and events guide in this newsletter.

Sensory-friendly Saturdays Kids, including those on the autism spectrum, are invited to explore books, music and play at this free program for ages 3–8. Registration required. www.dakotacounty.us/library, click programs.

• Saturdays, Oct. 7 & Dec. 2 10:30–11:15 a.m.

Wentworth Library • Saturdays, Oct. 28, Nov. 18, Dec. 16 10:30–11:15 a.m.

Wescott Library

Nov. 18

Local Author Fair Meet local authors and attend free writing and publishing workshops from noon–4 p.m. at the Galaxie Library in Apple Valley. www.dakotacounty.us/library, search local author fair.

6 | www.dakotacounty.us | fall/winter 2017

We have your back Being prepared when disaster strikes If a disaster strikes, we want you to know we’re here for you.

Dakota County partners with various organizations to make sure we have a network of resources at our disposal if a disaster strikes. We regularly coordinate with these partners to make sure we have the resources in place to provide you with medication, food, shelter, debris removal and the other basic services you may need.

We also have emergency preparedness plans in place to help guide our response efforts and a state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center to coordinate operations across the County.

We work with federal, state and city governments, and other local agencies to train and practice our disaster response to foster proactive working relationships and garner support to secure resources across the County when we need it most. It also helps us to refine our emergency preparedness plans to make sure we can help you get your life back to normal as soon as possible.

You can help by making sure your family is prepared for the disasters most likely to hit our area. Know how to make a family plan, what to put in your emergency supply kit, and more at www.dakotacounty.us, search emergency preparedness.

Follow Dakota County Government on Twitter and Facebook for emergency updates and alerts.

7 USING TECHNOLOGY TO STOP CRIME 9 TROUBLE-FREE PASSPORTS 10 TAKING CARE OF OUR HEROES

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A new way to crack down on crime Using cutting-edge technology to help stop domestic abuse-related crimes.

Whether it’s using software to extract cellphone data or analyzing web traffic, members of the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office’s Electronic Crimes Task Force are using their unique skills to bring offenders, especially those involved in domestic abuse cases, to justice.

fall/winter 2017 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Our Work | Using technology to stop crime 10

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cases in 2016 — providing evidence that helped secure

The task force is empowering and giving a voice to crime victims throughout the county.

Since the task force was formed in 2015, it has had a major impact — working on nearly 260 cases in 2016, a more than 37-percent increase from the previous year. Evidence — usually extracted from cellphones, tablets and computers — is being used to help get more convictions in cases involving harassment, stalking, and violation of protection and domestic abuse orders.

The need for the task force became apparent when law enforcement started noticing more evidence crucial to solving cases being stored electronically. Gathering the

evidence, managing the caseloads, and keeping up with the advancement of technology proved difficult. To help combat the issues, the Sheriff’s Office joined forces with law enforcement partners across the county to form the specialized team.

The task force has expanded recently, and currently there is an agreement with nine cities in Dakota County and the county’s Drug Task Force to be a part of the team. The cities the Sheriff’s Office is partnering with include Burnsville, Lakeville, Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Rosemount and Hastings. Five detectives — from the Sheriff’s Office, Apple Valley and Burnsville — and two county forensic examiners make

8 | www.dakotacounty.us | fall/winter 2017

up the task force, which allows more cases to be investigated than ever before. Four members of the task force have completed a rigorous certification process through the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists and are now considered certified experts in their field. No other forensics unit in Minnesota has accomplished this feat.

The partnership is providing great results for crime victims and residents — faster turn-around time on solving cases, stronger cases for the County Attorney’s Office to prosecute, and better public education about electronic crimes. The public is also learning how to be better users of social media and cellphones to prevent

Our Work | Trouble-free passports 20

An easier path to 20 20 20 getting your passport Make your travel planning trouble-free If you travel to countries outside the United States, you need a passport — no matter how old you are.

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more convictions being victimized, which is another goal of the collaborative effort.

Along with domestic violence-related cases, team investigations helped solve high-profile crimes, including three murders in Dakota County.

The task force also helped crack a murder case in the state of Virginia by offering a crucial tip that unlocked the victim’s cellphone, leading to the arrest of a suspect.

The task force ensures we possess some of the best investigative tools around. Other counties have reached out to the Sheriff’s Office to learn about the task force and its successes.

Getting through the passport process can seem daunting, but Dakota County is a good place to apply for one. Our main passport office is located at the Western Service Center in Apple Valley, where we process more than 10,000 passports every year. You can also apply at the Administration Center in Hastings.

Making sure you have the correct paperwork and knowing what to expect when you apply for your passport makes the process easier. Here are some tips to help make your passport expedition a smooth one.

20

20

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Plan ahead. Passports can take up to 6–8 weeks depending on application volume and time of year.

Photos may be taken at each location for a fee, or you may bring your own.

Special requirements apply when submitting your own photo. See website for requirements.

Check or money orders ONLY for payment of passport fees.

Each child and both parents must be present when applying for children under the age of 16.

Adult passport renewals are completed by mail only.

When applying for your passport, don’t forget to bring your:  Completed passport application.

Wait times at the Western Service Center can be 20 minutes to 2 ½ hours depending on time of day.

The busiest times are all day on Fridays and Tuesday and Thursday evenings when the office is open until 5:30 p.m. Applications are accepted until 30 minutes before closing.

 Social Security Number.

Appointments are not required.

For more information, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search passport.

 Proof of citizenship. See website for options.  Proof of identity. See website for options  Passport photo if providing your own.  Payment.

Use black ink ONLY to complete the application.

fall/winter 2017 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Our Work | Taking care of our heroes

Heroes with benefits Making sure we take care of our veterans

If you served in our military — whether on active duty or not — or you are the family member of a military veteran, you may have many well-deserved state and federal benefits coming to you, and we want to help you access them.

Veterans who didn’t serve outside the U.S. borders or who weren’t physically injured often worry about taking benefits away from other vets who they feel need or deserve them more, but the benefits you qualify for don’t take away from anyone else. In fact, anyone who‘s worn a military uniform is encouraged to get in touch with Dakota County Veteran Services to learn more about the variety of benefits available, including:

1

va pension. A tax-free monetary benefit paid to low-income wartime veterans or their surviving spouse or dependent.

2

state special needs programs.

A one-time financial assistance grant is available to veterans who have experienced a financial hardship due to job loss or another financial crisis or who are temporarily disabled and need financial assistance. This program also offers veterans who meet income guidelines yearly grants to assist with optical and dental needs.

3

burial and memorial benefits.

Resources for military funeral honors, burial in state or national cemeteries, headstone markers, medallions and Presidential Memorial Certificates.

Know more about the benefits you qualify for at www.dakotacounty.us, search veterans. Call 651-554-5601 to meet with a veteran service officer at any County service center, at colleges located in Dakota County or, if your mobility is limited, schedule a home visit.

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here to help If you need help with a variety of smaller tasks that you can no longer perform on your own, the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program may be able to help. Through the program, community members are available to help veterans with: • Driving to appointments • Cleaning the house • Mowing the lawn • Shoveling snow • Community meals • Social events • Financial support Contact Dakota County Veteran Services at 651-554-5601.

11 COMMUNITIES FOR A LIFETIME 13 AGE WELL 14 SHARING OUR LIBRARY RESOURCES

VOLUNTEER & WORK OPPORTUNITIES

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

PARK PROXIMITY

WALKING & BIKING OPPORTUNITIES

EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGY

HEALTHY & AFFORDABLE FOOD OPTIONS

ACCESSIBLE HOUSING

Communities for a Lifetime Helping residents live fulfilling lives in Dakota County

Within the next three years, Dakota County’s population of adults age 65 or older will nearly double from the 39,816 it was in 2010.

By 2030, that number is expected to triple.

fall/winter 2017 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Community | Communities for a Lifetime These demographic changes make it more important than ever for us to know what’s needed to be ready to help residents age in place and provide a more livable community for us all.

That’s why Dakota County Public Health is helping our cities prepare as best they can for the demographic shift that has already started and will continue to grow in the coming years. We’re leading “Communities for a Lifetime,” an initiative that brings together private and public partners to create more supportive neighborhoods that help all our residents age well in their own homes and communities.

How do we do that? We start by creating a profile for each of the 11 major cities in Dakota County.

The profile compares scores on a wide range of features that are

important in creating age-friendly communities that support not just aging adults, but all of us. The scores are produced by evaluating features of the city including — among other things — accessible housing; available transportation options; opportunities to walk or bike around the community; proximity to park space and healthy, affordable food options; flexible employment and volunteer opportunities; and effective technology to keep residents connected.

Each city received an overall score calculated using the AARP Livability Index — an online tool that factors in 40 measurable metrics and 20 public policies chosen by the AARP’s Public Policy Institute.

The profiles examine factors that influence a person’s ability to age in that community. For example, split

level homes can separate key areas — like the laundry room on one floor and the kitchen and bathroom on another. This can create challenges for people that have a disability or a mobility issue. Shedding light on how prevalent certain types of homes are within our communities will raise awareness of the need to offer a wider variety of accessible housing options — and targeted home modification programs. As more attention is drawn to this issue, the greater the likelihood we’ll start to see more new businesses and construction companies helping to modify homes in Dakota County.

Making sure our communities are affordable for our residents is another reason we’ve taken on this initiative.

Assisted living facilities can cost from $3,000–$6,000 a month and nursing homes can run closer to $100,000

From 2010–2030 our 65+ population will triple 2010 12 | www.dakotacounty.us | fall/winter 2017

Community | Age well a year. We want your savings to go as far as possible in providing a healthy, fulfilling life. Because a lot of older adults have paid off their mortgages, it makes financial sense to try and help them stay in their homes as long as possible if that’s where they want to be. It also gives them the opportunity to stay connected to the communities they’re familiar with and love.

Age well Check out our resources for area seniors

This year, many Dakota County cities are creating comprehensive plans that will guide their future. Our Communities for a Lifetime profiles will help leaders as they put their plans together. Profiles are available online for the cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St. Paul and West St. Paul. View the full report of your city at www.dakotacounty.us, search city profiles.

We want all of our residents to be happy and healthy in Dakota County.

That’s why we offer several programs specifically designed to help our older population stay active and engaged in their community.

2030

62+ Walking Group. One of the best things you can do to age well is remain active or become active, if you’ve lived a sedentary lifestyle. Join a 62+ walking group that meets at the Earley Lake Trail in Burnsville at 9 a.m. on Fridays.

You can also start your own group. www.dakotacounty.us, search walking group 62.

A Matter of Balance. Learn how to protect yourself against dangerous falls in this eight-week course that teaches the skills you need to protect yourself as you age. www.dakotacounty.us, search matter of balance.

MnCHOICES Assessment. Call for this free, in-home assessment to help determine what support services might benefit you. You’ll learn if you (or a loved one) might want to access services such as adult day service, home-delivered meals, transportation, personal care assistance, or help adapting your home to be more accessible. Call 651-554-6336 to schedule. www.dakotacounty.us, search aging.

We work with a variety of community partners and agencies to connect you with everything from transportation options to advice on modifying your home to help you stay in it as long as possible. Learn more about the resources you may qualify for at www.dakotacounty.us, search communities for a lifetime.

fall/winter 2017 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Community | Sharing our library resources

Libraries and schools — a match made in heaven Working with local schools to share our resources Like cake and ice cream, Bert and Ernie, and rock and roll, some things are just better together. The same can be said about libraries and schools. It only makes sense to pool the resources of both to make sure our children have the tools they need to learn.

access to all library materials when they start classes in September.

Library, Hoopla Digital and RBdigital as well as a host of other resources.

The pilot project allows students to access online one-on-one homework help, research tools, e-books, audiobooks, electronic magazines and print books — all fine free.

Or, students can go to any Dakota County Library location and check out hard copy materials — the same as you would with a regular library card.

That’s why Dakota County Library teamed up with Burnsville-EaganSavage School District 191 and the Scott County Library to provide virtual library cards to all students at Burnsville High School.

Burnsville High School students can log into their online accounts by going to the Library website and entering their school district’s three-digit number (191) followed by their student ID number.

More than 1,900 cards were handed out last May, so students will have

Once logged in, the students can check out online resources from Cloud

LOG IN:

14 | www.dakotacounty.us | fall/winter 2017

We’re not done yet. The Library plans to expand student cards to the rest of the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 over the next months.

There are also plans to include more school districts in the future. The Library is working with Apple Valley High School in District 196 to enroll more than 1,700 students.

Your Parks PROGRAMS & EVENTS • FALL & WINTER 2017

Bucket list top

PLUS:

Cross-country Ski Lessons Full Moon Snowshoe Trails by Candlelight www.dakotacounty.us/parks

park musts FOLL THE FUNOW FACEBOOON K

Bucket list top Outdoor fun heats up in winter Some of the best outdoor recreation in Minnesota happens during the winter season, and Dakota County parks are a great local option when snowflakes are falling. You can enjoy prized crosscountry ski trails, go on a snowshoe adventure, enjoy a lit sledding hill, experience winter-themed events and programs for all ages, and much more. Here’s a look at the top 10 ways to spend your winter in Dakota County parks.

1

2

1 Cross-country skiing

2 Snowshoeing

Our diverse cross-country ski trails provide a unique experience for skiers of all abilities. Indulge your passion for the outdoors on our award-winning crosscountry ski trails at Lebanon Hills Regional Park — known as some of the best in the state. Beautiful trails are also available at Spring Lake Park Reserve and Whitetail Woods Regional Park. Rent cross-country ski equipment during the winter season at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center.

Snowshoeing brings people to Dakota County parks year after year. With trails in five parks — Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Miesville Ravine Park Reserve, Spring Lake Park Reserve, Thompson County Park and Whitetail Woods Regional Park — the variety of scenery on your snowshoe adventure is spectacular. Snowshoe through Lebanon Hills Regional Park, accompanied by a guide and the moon, during our Full Moon Snowshoe Hike.

6 Winter hiking

7 Biking

A winter hike on our traditional or paved trails remains a favorite. With more than 50 miles of beautiful yearround hiking trails across Dakota County parks, you’re sure to find a scenic trail near you. Hiking programs are available to help you stay active and engaged with nature when the snow is falling.

Mountain biking doesn’t stop just because there’s snow on the ground.

Riders enjoy testing their endurance and skill riding fat-tire bikes on our famous mountain bike trails at Lebanon Hills. The winding trails of various skill levels can challenge the most experienced rider or be the perfect place for a beginner to break into the sport.

6

7

3 Camping

3

Perched among dense pine trees, three camper cabins at Whitetail Woods offer a private and peaceful escape from reality. Spend the day sledding, cross-country skiing or hiking in the park, and a cozy night inside. The cabins are in high demand, so make your reservations early.

4 5 4 C elebrating New Year’s Eve Our annual New Year’s Eve party is always a hit. From the ball drop at 7:59 p.m. to the lit sledding hill to the dance party, there’s something special about ringing in the New Year in the wild. Be sure to join us this year for family-friendly indoor and outdoor activities at Lebanon Hills.

8 Making s’mores

9 Kicksledding

There’s nothing better on a crisp night than sitting around a campfire watching marshmallow ooze over graham crackers and chocolate. Our Forever Wild Family Friday night, the first Friday of every month at Lebanon Hills, features campfire stories, activities and plenty of s’mores all for free. The event is the perfect way to wind down a week and spend some quality time around the campfire.

A fun way to tour nature with your young ones, kicksledding is becoming a fast favorite with outdoor enthusiasts. Use your kicksled in the parks when there is light snow on the ground or rent one of ours for only $5 an hour at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center and give it a whirl.

Courses are available for beginners eager to learn.

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5 Sledding Grab your sled, tube or toboggan and hit the hill at Whitetail Woods Regional Park. The 53-foot hill, which is lit at night, provides a winter thrill for all ages. Another sledding hill at the Visitor Center Trailhead in Lebanon Hills is also popular. Head into the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center after a day on the hill to warm up by the fire.

10 V isiting the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center The Lebanon Hills Visitor Center is a unique place to spend time on a winter day, whether you are learning about animals and other things in the parks or warming up by the fire after a morning ski.

You’ll find park and program information; a great space to gather a group; and snowshoes, classic-style cross-country ski equipment, and kicksleds to rent.

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PROGRAMS & EVENTS

www.dakotacounty.us/parks Click Programs & Events

River to River Greenway Thompson County Park LILYDALE

BigRivers RiversRegional RegionalTrail Trail Big

MENDOTA

WEST ST PAUL

156 SOUTH ST PAUL

35E MENDOTA SUNFISH HEIGHTS LAKE

Big RiversRiver Regional Trail Minnesota Greenway

494

13

52

3

Spring Lake Park Reserve

56

EAGAN INVER GROVE HEIGHTS

31 43

77

Mississippi River Regional Trail

494

32

55

BURNSVILLE

35E

35W

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

71

38 ROSEMOUNT

APPLE VALLEY

33

52

42

55

NININGER TWP

COATES

46

HASTINGS

85

31

54

47

Dakota Woods Dog Park

9

MARSHAN 316 RAVENNA TWP TWP

62

EMPIRE TWP

23 FARMINGTON

35

42

42

VERMILLION

66 LAKEVILLE

61

VERMILLION TWP

91

Miesville Ravine Park Reserve

50 HAMPTON

Whitetail Woods Regional Park

EUREKA TWP

3

NEW TRIER

HAMPTON TWP

DOUGLAS TWP

50

61

MIESVILLE

20

80

52

56

85

CASTLE ROCK TWP

86

GREENVALE TWP

19

Archery Biking Boating Camper cabin Camping Canoeing/Kayaking

WATERFORD TWP

NORTHFIELD

Cross-country skiing Dog off-leash Dog on-leash Dogsledding Fishing Gardening

RANDOLPH TWP RANDOLPH

88

47 SCIOTA TWP

Lake Byllesby Regional Park

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Geocaching Hiking Horseback riding Horseshoes Ice skating In-line skating

Kicksledding Mountain biking Nature play Paddleboarding Picnicking Play area

Recreational bonfire Ski skating Sledding Snowshoeing Swimming

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

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 Spider Secrets Learn how to spot spiders, how they create their webs, and make your own web to take home.

Activity Number: 212001-01 • Thu, Oct. 5; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-02 • Sat, Oct. 14; 10–11:30 am Seeds and Nuts Examine seeds and nuts, learn about their differences, find seeds in nature and create your own seed art.

Activity Number: 212001-03 • Thu, Nov. 2; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-04 • Sat, Nov. 18; 10–11:30 am Snow and Ice Discover the differences between snow and ice on a nature walk and learn to paint with ice.

Activity Number: 212001-05 • Thu, Dec. 7; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-06 • Sat, Dec. 16; 10–11:30 am A Snow Flea Circus Learn about snow fleas, discover how they and other insects survive the winter, and look for signs of these critters on a nature walk.

Activity Number: 212001-07 • Thu, Jan. 4; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-08 • Sat, Jan. 20; 10–11:30 am Fantastic Foxes Discover how foxes talk with their tails, learn about their sense of smell through fun sensory activities and explore the park for fox habitats.

Activity Number: 212001-09 • Thu, Feb. 1; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-10 • Sat, Feb. 3; 10–11:30 am Maple Trees and Syrup Learn about maple trees, how to identify them, and find out how to tap a tree for sap.

Activity Number: 212001-11 • Thu, Mar. 1; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-12 • Sat, Mar. 17; 10–11:30 am

SCOUT BADGES Earn your scout badge or adventure in these two-hour programs.

Fee: $8/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Daisy Girl Scouts — Rosie Petal Learn ways to make our world a better place and how you can help our planet by being green while earning your petal.

Ages: 5–6 Activity Number: 212301-01 • Sat, Oct. 7; 10 am–noon Tiger Cub Scouts — Tigers in the Wild Learn what you need to prepare for a hike, go on a hike and finish with a campfire while completing your adventure. Ages: 6–7 Activity Number: 212305-01 • Sat, Oct. 14; 2–4 pm Wolf Cub Scouts — Finding Your Way Complete your adventure by learning how to read, using a compass and a map — including symbols and keys — and by going on a scavenger hunt. Ages: 7–8 Activity Number: 212306-01 • Sat, Oct. 21; 10 am–noon Brownie Girl Scouts — Hiker Badge Learn what to bring on a hike and how to read a map, and take a hike with a naturalist while earning your badge. Ages: 6–9 Activity Number: 212302-01 • Sat, Oct. 21; 2–4 pm Bear Cub Scouts — Fur, Feathers and Ferns Take a hike to learn about endangered species and examine plants while completing your adventure.

Ages: 8–9 Activity Number: 212307-01 • Sat, Nov. 4; 10 am–noon Webelos — Into the Woods Learn about the park's ecosystems and the roles animals and plants play in maintaining their health. Take a hike and examine creatures up close while earning your badge. Ages: 9–11 Activity Number: 212308-01 • Sat, Nov. 4 ; 2–4 pm

Junior Girl Scouts — Geocacher Badge Learn how to use a GPS unit and find geocaches in our park while earning your Geocacher Badge.

Ages: 9–11 Activity Number: 212303-01 • Sat, Nov. 18; 2–4 pm

WILD RANGERS Explore the park with a naturalist once a month and learn new skills.

Ages: 10–14 Fee: $8/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park

HOMESCHOOL LAB Use the park as your lab for hands-on study and scientific inquiry and experimentation.

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

Fall Forests Survey the woods from bottom to top and discover some of the ways inhabitants get ready for winter.

Activity Number: 211706-01 • Wed, Oct. 11; 4:30–6 pm

Fabulous Fungus Find out all about these fascinating organisms and their role in the park's ecosystem.

Activity Number: 211501-01 • Wed, Oct. 4; 1–3 pm Tracking Learn how to identify tracks and signs of animals and get out into the park to practice your tracking skills.

Activity Number: 211501-02 • Wed, Nov. 1; 1–3 pm Biology of Owls Explore the world of these nocturnal predators. Dissect pellets and head out into their habitat.

Activity Number: 211501-03 • Wed, Dec. 6; 1–3 pm Ice Art Discover how to create art with ice and snow and make your own wintry masterpieces.

Activity Number: 211501-04 • Wed, Jan. 3; 1–3 pm Snow Snakes Try your hand at this historic game. Craft your own snow snake to take home and practice.

Activity Number: 211501-05 • Wed, Feb. 7; 1–3 pm Navigation Learn the art of wayfinding and how to navigate the park without technology.

Activity Number: 211501-06 • Wed, Mar. 7; 1–3 pm

Oh Deer!

Explore the world of white-tailed deer and learn how to spot their signs in the park.

Activity Number: 211706-02 • Wed, Nov. 8; 4:30–6 pm Night Hike Learn about adaptations for working the "night shift" as we check out the park as it goes dark.

Activity Number: 211706-03 • Wed, Dec. 13; 4:30–6 pm Under the Snow Discover the world of organisms that spend the winter under the surface of the snow.

Activity Number: 211706-04 • Wed, Jan. 10; 4:30–6 pm Making Tracks Learn to interpret the signs animals leave behind and explore the park for evidence.

Activity Number: 211706-05 • Wed, Feb. 21; 4:30–6 pm Who Goes There?

Listen to the language of the forest and discover how animals can tell you what is going on.

Activity Number: 211706-06 • Wed, Mar. 14; 4:30–6 pm WINTER GIFTS Use our supplies to make winter gifts.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Nature's Gnomes Create a gnome for a forest, front step or backyard.

Ages: 6–12 Fee: $8/youth Activity Number: 210203-02 • Sat, Dec. 2; 10 am–noon Build a Birdhouse Craft a birdhouse to give to someone special.

Ages: 10–14 Fee: $15/youth Activity Number: 210203-01 • Sat, Dec. 9; 10 am–noon

PROGRAMS & EVENTS DAY CAMPS Join us during breaks or on school release days for winter day camps.

Leap into Leaves Explore the ways our woods and their inhabitants are getting ready for winter through hikes, games, experiments and art.

Ages: 6–10 Fee: $30/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210406-09 • Thu, Oct. 19; 9 am–3 pm Winter Wilderness Survival Try your hand at shelter building, fire starting, ice fishing and other outdoor skills to survive winter.

Ages: 8–12 Fee: $75/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210406-10 • Wed–Fri, Dec.27–29; 9 am–3 pm Winter Wizards Learn about the science and magic of winter weather through experiments, games and park exploration.

Ages: 8–12 Fee: $30/youth Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park Activity Number: 210406-11 Fri, Jan. 26; 9 am–3 pm Snowshoe Archery Biathlon Test your Olympic abilities with biathlon, one of the most challenging sports. Practice skills and then hit the course.

Ages: 10–14 Fee: $30/youth Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 210406-06 • Fri, Feb. 16; 9 am–3 pm Spring Fever Explore the park in spring and learn about the science behind it through fun hands-on activities and time on the trails.

Ages: 8–12 Fee: $75/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210406-12 • Wed–Fri, Mar. 28–30; 9 am–3 pm

www.dakotacounty.us/parks Click Programs & Events

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS FOR YOUTH Learn the basic skills of classicstyle cross-country skiing in a kid-friendly environment.

Ages: 8–12 Fee: $15/youth Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210601-01 • Sun, Jan. 7; 10 am–noon Activity Number: 210601-02 • Sat, Jan. 27; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 210601-03 • Sun, Feb. 4; 10 am–noon Activity Number: 210601-04 • Sat, Feb. 24; 2–4 pm

Invented by Nature Explore the natural inspiration behind some everyday objects and discover what could inspire your next great invention.

Activity Number: 211001-06 • Fri, Mar. 2; 7–8:30 pm

FAMILY

RAPTOR WATCH Search the skies over Schaar's Bluff for migrating raptors.

Binoculars provided or bring your own.

Ages: All ages Fee: Free Gathering Center Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 211707-01 • Sun, Oct. 22; 1–3 pm

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

Ages: All ages Fee: Free Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Bats, Bats, Bats Explore the world of bats with fun hands-on activities and more.

Activity Number: 211001-01 • Fri, Oct. 6; 7–8:30 pm Full Moon Fun Meet the moon through myths, stories, games and the spotting scope.

Activity Number: 211001-02 • Fri, Nov. 3; 7–8:30 pm Sounds of the Night Join us for a scavenger hunt and use your ears to search for the sounds of winter. Bring a headlamp or flashlight.

Activity Number: 211001-03 • Fri, Dec. 1; 7–8:30 pm Fun on the Ice Enjoy an evening of family fun on the ice under the lights. Bring your skates or try one of our kick sleds for free.

Activity Number: 211001-04 • Fri, Jan. 5; 7–8:30 pm Sledding Party Bring your sled for a fun party on our lit sledding hill.

Activity Number: 211001-05 • Fri, Feb. 2; 7–8:30 pm

PARENT CHILD ARCHERY Learn basic shooting techniques and range safety through games and activities for kids and their parents.

Ages: 8 and older Fee: $15/person Archery Shelter Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 210101-02 • Sun, Oct. 15; 1–3 pm

COBWEBS AND CACHES Use a GPS unit to find hidden jack-o-lantern caches and collect Halloween trinkets. Bring your own GPS unit or borrow one of ours. Costumes encouraged.

Ages: All ages Fee: $5/person; youth 5 and younger free Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211002-01 • Sat, Oct. 28; 5–8 pm FULL MOON HIKE Explore the woods on a guided family hike under the full moon.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $5/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211401-01 • Sun, Dec. 3; 4–6 pm PARENT CHILD CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS Learn the basic skills of classic-style cross-country skiing in a family-friendly environment.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $15/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210602-01 • Sun, Jan. 7; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 210602-02 • Sat, Jan. 27; 10 am–noon Activity Number: 210602-03 • Sun, Feb. 4; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 210602-04 • Sat, Feb. 24; 10 am–noon

OWL OUTING Delve into the world of owls and take a hike for a chance to hear and see these nocturnal hunters at work.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $5/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211702-01 • Fri, Jan. 12; 5–7 pm FULL MOON SNOWSHOE Explore the woods on a guided hike under the light of the full moon.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $10/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211401-02 • Wed, Jan. 31; 5–7 pm

ADULT FALL COLORS CANOE Learn how to paddle and portage and experience the brilliant colors of fall.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $15/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211901-01 • Sun, Oct. 1; 9–11 am TAMARACK BOG WALK Hike with a naturalist to the tamarack bog and gather around the campfire to learn what makes it so unique.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $5/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211408=01 • Sat, Oct. 7; 3–6 pm WILD ART: NEEDLE FELTED LEAVES Learn how to turn loose fluffy wool into a felted leaf using warm colors of fall with the Textile Center. A Minnesota Legacy program.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: Free; pre-registration required Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 210202-02 • Sun, Oct. 22; 9–11 am

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

WILD ART: CLAY ART — FOR THE BIRDS Join Artistry to learn basic ceramic hand-building techniques to create a bird sculpture and a bird house or bird feeder out of clay. A Minnesota Legacy program.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: Free; pre-registration required Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210202-04 • Sat, Mar. 10; 9 am–noon PARKS AND PINTS: CREEPY CREATURES Explore the world of Minnesota's spookiest and creepiest animals while enjoying a pint. Bring your own bottle of wine or beer.

Participants will receive a commemorative pint glass.

Pre-registration required.

Ages: 21 and older Fee: $10/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211602-01 • Fri, Oct. 27; 7–8:30 pm BUILD YOUR OWN SNOWSHOES Learn about snowshoes and build your own traditional wood pair for recreation or decoration.

Materials provided.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $160/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211708-01 • Sun, Nov. 5; 10 am–3 pm BACKYARD AGRICULTURE: BEEKEEPING BASICS Discover all you need to know to start your own apiary with JoAnne Sabin of the Minnesota Beekeepers Association. Learn about honeybee biology and behavior, hive management, swarm prevention, and equipment.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $40/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211301-01 • Thu, Jan. 11, 18, & 25; 6–9 pm BACKYARD AGRICULTURE: EDIBLE LANDSCAPING Create an edible landscape in your backyard by learning how to incorporate vegetables, fruits and flowers with ornamental plants in home landscapes.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $8/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211301-02 • Thu, Mar. 8; 7–8 pm

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS Learn about equipment, trails and technique in this introduction to classic-style cross-country skiing.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $30/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210603-01 • Sat, Jan. 6; 10 am–noon Activity Number: 210603-02 • Sat, Jan. 6; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 210603-03 • Sun, Jan. 21 ; 10 am–noon Activity Number: 210603-04 • Sun, Jan. 21 ; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 210603-05 • Sun, Feb. 11; 10 am–noon Activity Number: 210603-06 • Sun, Feb. 11; 2–4 pm

EVENTS NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY Give a hand to care for the land.

Help us improve the health and quality of the park with fun park restoration projects.

Lunch provided.

Ages: All ages Fee: Free, registration required.

To register, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search volunteer in parks.

Jensen Lake Trailhead Lebanon Hills Regional Park • Sat, Sept. 30; 9 am–noon 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 be on hand for bike tune-ups, clinics, group rides and more. Free bike check-out available. Beer and hot food available for purchase.

Ages: All ages Fee: Free West Trailhead Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210801-01 • Sun, Oct. 7; 10 am–4 pm TEEN SLEDDING PARTY Bring your sleds for a night on the big hill. Enjoy DJ music and roaring bonfires.

Ages: 13 and older Fee: Free Empire Shelter Whitetail Woods Regional Park Activity Number: 210807-01 • Fri, Dec. 29; 6–8 pm

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY Celebrate all things winter with candlelight ice skating, hiking, and snowshoeing; slide on our lit sledding hill; and warm up at a roaring bonfire; or head inside for a magician, live animals and storyteller. Stay for the countdown and ball drop at 7:59 p.m. Bring your own sleds and ice skates.

Snowshoe rental available. Hot food available for purchase from food trucks.

Ages: All ages Fee: $10 person at the door.

Youth ages 5 and younger free.

No pre-registration.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210802-01 • Sun, Dec. 31; 5–8 pm CANDLELIGHT HIKE Enjoy the park by flickering candlelight and warm-up at roaring bonfires. Snowshoe rental available. Hot food available to purchase from food trucks.

Ages: All ages.

Fee: $5/person at the door.

Youth ages 5 and younger free.

No pre-registration.

Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park Activity Number: 210805-01 • Fri, Jan. 12; 6–9 pm

CANDLELIGHT WALK Enjoy the Mississippi River by soft candlelight from the newest segment of the Mississippi River Trail and warm up at roaring bonfires. Hot food available to purchase from food trucks.

Ages: All ages.

Fee: $5/person at the door.

Youth ages 5 and younger free.

No pre-registration.

Gathering Center Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 210806-01 • Fri, Jan. 26; 6–9 pm TRAILS BY CANDLELIGHT Cross-country ski, hike, ice skate and snowshoe by candlelight; slide on a lit hill; and warm-up at roaring bonfires. Ski and snowshoe rental available. Bring your own sleds and ice skates. Hot food available to purchase from food trucks.

Ages: All ages Fee: $10 person at the door.

Youth ages 5 and younger free.

No pre-registration.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210803-01 • Sat, Feb. 10; 6–9 pm

INFORMATION 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.

PAYMENT Payment is due at registration. All major credit cards are accepted.

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

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

SCHOLARSHIPS Call 952-891-7000.

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.

NEED EQUIPMENT? Rent kicksleads, snowshoes and cross-country ski equipment at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center.

www.dakotacounty.us/parks, search equipment rental.

Daylight, moonlight or candlelight.

Any light is the right light for family programs in Dakota County Parks.

www.dakotacounty.us/parks, click programs and events

23 SAVE THE FOOD

Food for thought Save money and save the planet by curbing food waste

Forty percent of all food goes uneaten each year in the United States. All of that spoiled meat, limp lettuce and other wasted food costs the average family of four about $125 a month or $1,500 a year.

fall/winter 2017 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Go Green | Save the food It also wastes resources. When we throw food in the trash or compost pile, we waste the water, energy, labor, pesticides and land used to grow and transport it. About 25 percent of our nation’s fresh water is used to grow food that goes uneaten. On top of that, once wasted food reaches landfills, it produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

Dakota County is partnering with the Ad Council and Natural Resources Defense Council through the ‘Save the Food’ campaign to bring awareness to food waste. The campaign combats food waste from its largest source — people just like you. Consumers collectively waste more food than grocery stores, restaurants or farms.

Saving food starts with you.

Here’s what you can do:

SHOP YOUR KITCHEN FIRST Check your pantry, fridge and freezer to see if you already have items on your shopping list to avoid buying double.

SERVE SMALLER PORTIONS TO THE KIDDOS We want our kids to try new foods, but studies show many children have to try a food up to 15 times before accepting it. Start with small portions to minimize untouched food. You can always offer seconds when they’re interested.

BE REALISTIC ABOUT MEAL PLANNING Write down your activities for the week and figure out what days you actually need to cook — it might only be three meals. Use that as a guide for your shopping list and stick to it.

24 | www.dakotacounty.us | fall/winter 2017

REVIVE LIMP VEGGIES A quick soak in ice water for 5 to 10 minutes is often enough to reinvigorate wilted veggies. Bendy carrots will straighten right up, lettuce will crisp, and limp broccoli will find its strength again.

BUY LOOSE AND SAVE A TON If fruits or veggies are sold by weight —asparagus, bananas and grapes — you can break up the bunch and only buy what you need. You can even get a cabbage chopped in half at the deli counter.

REINVENT LEFTOVERS Get inspired with apps and websites like BigOven.com or Allrecipes.com that let you search recipes by ingredients you already have.

DON’T LOSE FOOD IN THE FRIDGE Move food that should be eaten soon to a designated area in the fridge and mark it with an “Eat First” sign.

EAT FIRST

Shedding your shredding How to dispose of shredded paper Shredded paper from confidential materials doesn’t go in your recycling cart. With new technology, shredded paper causes problems at sorting facilities and often doesn’t get recycled.

Instead of putting shredded paper in curbside recycling, use seasonal collection events or one of the many businesses that offer professional confidential material destruction, so personal information stays secure, and your paper gets recycled.

The next Master Recycler/Composter class is scheduled for Thursdays, Oct. 5–Nov. 9 from 6–8:30 p.m. at the Burnhaven Library. Cost of the course is $30.

Go to www.dakotacounty.us, search Green Guide, for ways to dispose of all your household items.

Learn more at www.dakotacounty.us, search master recycler.

Don’t let radon lurk in your home

SCHEDULE A LAZY NIGHT

Pick-up your free test kit

We often go to the store hoping to prepare fresh meals all week, but the truth is we don’t have the time or energy to cook every night. Plan a few lazy nights to use leftovers or have an informal potluck with friends.

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that seeps up from the soil where it can collect in indoor spaces — like the basements of homes.

PUT IT ON ICE You can freeze almost anything — soups, pasta, sauces and bread. It’s like pushing a pause button for a no-hassle meal later. Keep freezer burn out by keeping air out.

Visit www.dakotacounty.us, search food waste, to learn about tools, classes, food storage guides and tips on meal planning.

With new advancements, recycling processes are always changing.

Become a skilled recycler and help others know the latest recycling tips and techniques by becoming a Master Recycler/Composter. You’ll learn from experts, receive a detailed handbook, go on field trips and put your skills to work volunteering 30 hours at programs and events or by teaching others.

Radon leads to nearly 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year.

It’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking.

The bad news is radon could be seeping into your home, and there would be no symptoms to warn you, even if you’re breathing in high levels.

A lung cancer diagnosis could be your first indication.

The good news is that Dakota County can help you prevent long-term exposure. All you have to do is stop by the Western Service Center in Apple Valley and pick up a free radon test

kit. Run it for four to seven days in your home and return it. We’ll analyze your test, send you your results and offer guidance on what to do next, depending on your radon level.

Two-thirds of the state of Minnesota is considered high-risk for radon. In Dakota County, nearly 40 percent of the radon test kits returned show elevated levels of radon. Newer homes are generally set up to be radon resistant, but each home and land parcel is unique and getting your radon level checked to make sure your venting system is working properly is recommended. Play it safe by picking up your free radon test kit.

Visit www.dakotacounty.us, search radon.

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F E A T U R E

A win-win

scenario WHEN YOU GET INVOLVED IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT — WE ALL WIN

F E A T U R E

ON A DAILY BASIS, WE MAKE DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THE LIVES OF MORE THAN 418,000 PEOPLE IN DAKOTA COUNTY. IT’S A BIG RESPONSIBILITY, AND SOMETHING WE TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY. TO MAKE THE MOST INFORMED DECISIONS POSSIBLE, WE RELY ON INPUT FROM THE PEOPLE OUR WORK IMPACTS THE MOST — OUR RESIDENTS. Participating in government gives you the opportunity to share your opinions on important topics in your community. It’s a way to communicate with your commissioners, county staff and other residents to problemsolve and share ideas that make communities better. Our growing county is made up of all types of people with different backgrounds, beliefs and opinions. Encouraging public participation on initiatives that may have significant impact on our residents helps ensure we’re hearing the concerns and views of everyone who lives here. To do that, we use surveys, open houses, community initiatives, commissioner interaction, volunteering, advisory groups, and so much more.

There is a lot that good public participation does for our county. When you engage with county government, we’re able to make more informed strategic decisions on where to build roads or parks, what the future of our libraries should look like, or what we should be doing to help keep our environment cleaner. When we work together to find

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solutions, the decisions we make better reflect the interests and values of the people we serve, and it helps increase the value you get from your tax dollars. Greater involvement also helps to build transparency and responsiveness and to hold us accountable for the work we do.

Soliciting and gathering input can be a time consuming process. It’s not simply asking, “What do you want?” Many resources and employee hours go into making sure we’re asking the right questions and listening to what you have to say. We know collecting information from you isn’t useful or cost effective unless we do something with it, so we weave the feedback and data we collect into almost every fiber of how we operate — the way we plan, build infrastructure, deliver services, educate, recreate and much more. Many times the input we get on each issue includes a wide range of viewpoints. The Board of Commissioners weigh each perspective to find a balance and make decisions that they think will ultimately be best for the county. It’s the Board's job to use your input to make those tough decisions and to be good stewards of your tax dollars.

Having good public participation in government can make for a good partnership — the County can keep a closer pulse on what residents need and want, and residents can have their voices heard and learn more about how decisions are made and how the County impacts their everyday life.

There are lots of ways to be engaged with and make a difference in Dakota County government — whether it’s simply to offer an opinion or to actively serve on a long-term committee. Here are a few examples of what you can do.

GET INVOLVED Serve on a committee. Serving on one of our citizen advisory committees is a great way to gain intimate knowledge of issues in Dakota County. These committees bring together residents who have interests in a variety of areas including libraries, County policy, job training, the environment, law enforcement or pubic art displays. The job of committee members is to promote public awareness of these issues and act as community liaisons. As a group, they help shape policies, serve as advocates, define community standards, provide expertise, and conduct independent research, all while reflecting the diverse interests of fellow residents.

Some of the committees — including the Planning Commission and Public Art Citizen Advisory Committee — make recommendations directly to the Board of Commissioners about things like environmental and natural resources proposals or what art to place in public buildings. Other groups, including the Library Advisory Committee, work directly with department directors on topics like program development and long-term planning.

Recently, a citizen committee worked with the Sheriff’s Office to provide input that ultimately led to the decision that drones shouldn’t be used for random surveillance purposes, something the committee thought residents would be concerned about. The committee also helped eliminate a rule that prohibited deputies with tattoos from wearing short-sleeve uniform tops. Deputies can now wear short-sleeve uniform tops with approved tattoos.

The County Board of Commissioners appoints members to the nine citizen advisory committees in Dakota County.

Applicants must apply to serve. If you’re interested, check for openings at www.dakotacounty.us, search committee vacancies.

Be an advocate. Providing constructive input is not

just for adults. The Teen Advisory Group organized by the Library is a group of teen volunteers who share ideas on books and music to add to the Library’s collection and on Library programs and community involvement. Using this forum, teens made a difference in the offerings at the Library including the addition of new teen programs, like Doctor Who Jeopardy and Harry Potter events, and new CDs from local musicians.

For more information, visit www.dakotacounty.us/library, search Teen Advisory Group.

Volunteer. Answering surveys, writing to elected

officials, and attending public meetings is how many have traditionally opted to get involved in government, but you can also get involved by volunteering. Our volunteers make our parks and libraries better, keep our roads and the environment cleaner, and help people live healthier and more enjoyable lives. In return, volunteers learn about county government and the services we provide, they get hands-on experience that can prepare them for a job or

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F E A T U R E

career, they network and develop friendships, and they become part of a group that works together to make our county a great place to live. Within the last year, our list of volunteers has rapidly grown to more than 2,000.

Individuals or businesses can volunteer. Dozens of opportunities are available — join our Green Squad recycling team, adopt a highway, help at a Fix-it Clinic, assist a probation officer or restore natural resources. Volunteers can use their hours for work and school credits. Businesses can volunteer work units for projects that will assist in their team building efforts or to help their teams understand more about how government works.

There are many benefits to volunteering for Dakota County, but one of the most recognized is the amount of money it saves taxpayers. In 2016, volunteers worked more than 39,000 hours — saving the County an estimated $921,000.

Learn how to become a Dakota County volunteer at www.dakotacounty.us, search volunteer opportunities, or call 651-438-4635.

SHARE IDEAS Attend an open house. Open houses are the

perfect forum for you to offer feedback and get your questions answered about an upcoming project. Conducting an open house also gives us the chance to provide you with accurate information, which is a great first step in understanding how a project or issue could affect you. Open houses not only help form partnerships between residents and the County, they also provide an opportunity for residents to get to know others interested in similar issues, so they can engage in a two-way dialogue to learn more about others’ needs.

A vital component of large-scale planning processes, open houses help to mold projects from the very beginning and getting you involved early in the project planning process starts an exchange of ideas that is beneficial to both project managers and to communities. During project planning, we normally don’t hold just a single open house and call it good.

For long-term projects, we conduct several open houses or community meetings to gather as much data and feedback as possible. We record the information and incorporate appropriate input into project plans.

Participate in surveys. Surveys are also an

important tool we use to gather countywide data and opinions on a variety of topics. We use surveys to help guide things like master planning and how to address current trends, like our growing population, in the future.

Every two to three years we conduct a scientific residential survey that provides opportunities for residents to rate, among other things, their quality of life and the job we’re doing. In 2016, residents continued to rate their quality of life as very high. The rating was higher compared to the benchmark for other counties in the nation. Residents also applauded a majority of the work we do, giving high marks to our services that help provide a good economy and strong sense of community.

A number of surveys were also recently sent to gather feedback on the County’s library system, recreation in County parks, and other major County issues like affordable housing, transportation and growth.

Many of the surveys are available online and, we invite you to let us know what you think by taking a few minutes to enter your feedback. If you don’t have access to a computer, let us know, and we’ll send the survey to you by mail.

relationships. A diverse team of representatives that include members of the faith community, school district, city and county staff, and others, meets regularly to help identify and address community issues.

As a start, a welcome packet is being developed to promote resources and amenities available to both new and existing South St. Paul residents. The online packet features businesses, services, community events, and neighborhood highlights and history to help newcomers learn about and participate in the community.

It’s easy to get involved with county government when you know what’s happening.

Support community engagement.

Another way to get involved with local government is through a recently launched initiative called Discover Together. This initiative is helping us take a new approach to gathering feedback and collaborating with community partners to address residents’ most crucial long-term needs. The project uses a proactive approach to help the County and its partners better understand the challenges residents and their communities face — things like poverty, educational shortcomings, social divides, affordable housing, and business development — so we can work together to find solutions.

Currently we’re working with the community of South St. Paul to host discussions and listen to ways residents think their community can be improved, and to build

The program will engage the community in phases and test ideas and solutions along the way — using what we learn to develop action plans for short and long-term improvements in South St. Paul. Residents can share their ideas at community forums, where feedback will be collected and used to develop a plan of action that, among other things, will increase community pride, welcome new residents, celebrate diversity, and empower youth. The goal is to develop a model that can be used in communities across Dakota County.

Visit www.dakotacounty.us, search Discover Together, for more information about the program.

STAY INFORMED It’s easy to get involved with county government when you know what’s happening, and communicating with residents is something we pride ourselves on. There are several ways for you to get information about news, events, services, projects and other happenings in Dakota County government. Here are the top five.

Web. Our comprehensive website offers everything you

need to know about Dakota County government at your fingertips 24/7. On our web, you’ll find current news and events, project information, policies, upcoming programs, information about volunteering, opportunities to sign up for e-newsletters, and much more. In 2016, our web received 8.1 million page views in nearly 3.6 million sessions. Visit us at www.dakotacounty.us.

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F E A T U R E

Social media. Our Facebook and Twitter pages help us engage directly with you every day, so we can quickly answer questions and provide accurate information.

On our pages, you’ll find educational and fun videos, job opening information, news, a forum to connect with other residents, and snapshots of the difference we’re making in people’s lives. In the first six months of 2017, we had more than 17,350 interactions on Facebook and more than 3,000 engagements on Twitter. Like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

E-news. Knowing what’s happening at Dakota County

is easy when you sign-up to get County news sent directly to your email inbox. Electronic newsletters on topics such as parks, libraries, job opportunities, environment, public health, veteran services and more are sent periodically.

It’s a free service, and there are 20 topics to choose from.

All you need to do is sign up for one or more that interest you. Go to www.dakotacounty.us, search e-news.

Ask the Webmaster. When you have questions or comments about something in County government and don’t know who to talk to or where to go to get the information, ask our webmaster. Your request for information will be sent to the correct contact, and you’ll get a call, if requested, or the information will be sent to your email inbox. Send your question or comment to dakotaweb@co.dakota.mn.us.

County newsletter. This newsletter is an important tool in our communications toolbox. Each edition goes indepth on several topics to let you know what’s happening in county government, help create greater understanding of what we do, and show how your tax dollars are spent. The newsletter is sent to all Dakota County residents twice each year in March and September.

SHARE YOUR OPINION Making Dakota County a great place to live and work doesn’t just happen. From maintaining roads to maintaining property records, protecting the environment to protecting children, finding homes for those in need to finding justice for victims, the Board of Commissioners oversees the work of county government and they care about what you think. That’s why they work to be accessible and responsive and look for opportunities to get input from the people they represent — you.

You’re invited to learn more and to let your commissioner know what you think about County issues.

Learn more. Explore our website, follow us on social media, sign up for enews, ask questions.

Get involved. Attend open houses, serve on a citizen committee, volunteer, give feedback on surveys.

Attend meetings. Stream or go to Board meetings

that are held twice each month in Hastings. Residents have an opportunity to address the Board on pertinent issues at the meetings. A schedule is available on our website.

Reach out. Telephone or email your commissioner directly. Contact information is listed inside the back page of this newsletter.

When you engage with County government by learning more, getting involved and letting us know what you think, we all win.

GET INVOLVED TODAY Take a short survey to let us know what you think about several issues, including residential housing, organics collection, traffic congestion and more. The survey is available online at www.dakotacounty.us, search newsletter survey or, if you don’t have access to the web, complete the printed survey and follow the instructions on the back for returning it by mail. Survey results will be included in the March 2018 newsletter.

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TELL US WHAT YOU THINK We use your feedback to help guide the future of Dakota County. Tell us what you think about topics from housing to traffic and communication to taxes. The eight-question survey will take less than five minutes to complete. Both online and mail-in options are available.

What you think makes a difference. Thank you.

1 What do you like best about living in Dakota County? (choose top two)  Location  Open space  Sense of community/belonging  Parks/lakes  Low taxes  My neighborhood  Schools  People  Other (please describe)_______________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 2 What do you feel is the most serious issue facing Dakota County right now? ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

3 What types of residential housing do you think should be added to Dakota County? (choose top three most important)  Housing for seniors and those who are retired  Housing for young families that they can afford  Apartments, townhomes or condos  Spacious, higher-priced single-family homes  Emergency housing for people at risk of being homeless  Other housing options (please describe)____________________  I think the current mix of housing options is sufficient

4 Dakota County recently started offering updates about county services and information using social media (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn). Please check all of the sources you use to get information about Dakota County.  Social media  Dakota County website  Dakota County’s mailed newsletter  Newspaper or TV news  Word of mouth (friends, family, neighbors, co-workers)  Other (please describe)_______________________________  News from Dakota County does not interest me

< Tear along perforated line

Easy online survey

Visit www.dakotacounty.us, search newsletter survey.

Mail in survey

Answer the questions below and follow the return instructions on the back of this page.

5 When driving on a Dakota County highway (such as Cliff or Pilot Knob roads, Kenwood Trail, Wentworth Ave. or County Road 42), how often do you experience traffic backups that cause a significant delay in your trip?  Almost always  Sometimes  Rarely  Never  Not applicable

6 The state requires counties to find ways to divert food waste from the trash. The County started a pilot project last year that allows people to drop off food waste 24/7 in a secure container in West St. Paul. If there was a drop-off point for food waste close to your home, would you use it?  Yes  No  Maybe

7 Dakota County has the lowest property taxes (per person) of any county in Minnesota. The County government portion of your residential property taxes is about 23 percent. Do you consider your county property taxes:  Too high for the services provided  Too low for the services provided  About right

8 Please answer the following two questions about yourself. This information will be used only to compare people’s answers to this survey and not to identify you in any way.

Where in Dakota County Which category contains your age? do you live?  18-24  45-54  Apple Valley  25-34  55-64  Burnsville  35-44  65-74  Eagan

 75 +  Farmington or Hastings  Inver Grove Heights  Lakeville  Rosemount  South St. Paul or West St. Paul  Mendota Heights, Mendota or Sunfish Lake  Any of the rural cities or townships

1

2

Remove survey along perforation Fold on dashed lines

Seal with clear tape on blue guidelines

Dakota County 2017 Survey

3

Mail

Your Commissioners Mike Slavik 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.

Kathleen A. Gaylord District 2

T: 651-438-4428 Includes the cities of South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Sunfish Lake, and Inver Grove Heights Precincts 1 and 8–10.

Front row: Kathleen A. Gaylord, Mike Slavik (Chair), Thomas A. Egan Back row: Mary Liz Holberg, Chris Gerlach, Liz Workman, Joe Atkins

Thomas A. Egan

Email: board@co.dakota.mn.us

District 3

Contact us

T: 651-438-4429 Includes the cities of Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, and Eagan Precincts 1–7 and 9–12.

LILYDALE MENDOTA MENDOTA HEIGHTS

Joe Atkins

T: 651-438-4431 Includes the city of Burnsville.

Mary Liz Holberg

2

EAGAN INVER GROVE HEIGHTS

BURNSVILLE

5

APPLE VALLEY

Liz Workman District 5

SOUTH ST. PAUL

SUNFISH LAKE

3

District 4

T: 651-438-4430 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.

WEST ST. PAUL

4

7 ROSEMOUNT

NININGER

VERMILLION

6

EMPIRE

1

LAKEVILLE FARMINGTON

MARSHAN

NEW TRIER

T: 651-438-4411 Includes the cities of Rosemount Precincts 3 and 5, and Apple Valley.

MIESVILLE

HAMPTON EUREKA

CASTLE ROCK

Chris Gerlach District 7

RAVENNA

VERMILLION TWP

District 6

T: 651-438-4243 Includes the city of Lakeville.

HASTINGS

COATES

HAMPTON TWP

DOUGLAS

RANDOLPH TWP RANDOLPH SCIOTA

GREENVALE

WATERFORD NORTHFIELD

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You know we take laptops, lawn mowers and paint at The Recycling Zone.

But did you know we also accept your sharps, eyeglasses and holiday lights?

Know what else we take at www.dakotacounty.us search Recycling Zone Need paint or household cleaners?

Find free products on our reuse shelf.

Drive up.

Drop off.

Do good.