The Dakota County Board of Commissioners takes its role as a steward of county tax dollars seriously. The board is committed to providing essential and valued services in efficient, effective and innovative ways. In this performance edition of the Dakota County Newsletter, learn about the many ways we serve residents and taxpayers.
Contents
Feature: Page 26 Road ways
Dakota County provides a safe and efficient county transportation system for residents, motorists, pedestrians and others. Learn how we repair, maintain and expand a system of 44 county roads with more than 1,000 lane miles.
Page 3 IN BRIEF
A renovation of Wentworth Library will give residents better access, more meeting space and updated youth areas.
Page 8
OUR WORK
Find out how SMART Center training prepares thousands of regional first responders to help people in crisis.
SECTIONS
Page 11
COMMUNITY
Learn how more than 15,000 volunteers have helped provide quality services and activities over the past 10 years.
Page 15 PARKS
Explore the ways we restore the county’s parkland and preserve natural areas. See a list of rare plants discovered along the way.
Keeping you informed for 53 cents
Page 23
GO GREEN
Get the rundown on how to recycle plastics the right way and how they are made into other products.
The Dakota County Newsletter is a cost-effective way to share county news and show how your tax dollars are used. We keep the newsletter cost down by producing it twice a year and combining it with the Dakota County Parks program guide. County staff write and design the newsletter. Printing is awarded through a competitive bid process. The cost to print and mail this newsletter is just 53 cents per household.
Contact:
Mary Beth Schubert, Communications and Public Affairs Director, marybeth.schubert@co.dakota.mn.us or call 651-438-8179
In Brief
Big changes coming
Wentworth Library renovation will create updated spaces
This year, a major renovation of the 32-year-old Wentworth Library will provide visitors with significant improvements and updated technology. As demands for library services are changing, Dakota County is preparing the library to better meet the needs of the community.
In Brief
The renovation will mark the first major upgrade to Wentworth since 2008. Residents provided important feedback during community engagement that helped shape the final design.
Library staff who serve customers daily also had ideas to provide spaces that better serve the evolving needs of the community.
When completed, residents will notice more spaces for meetings and study groups — a growing use of libraries. The library is also updating zones dedicated to children and teenagers, a quiet reading area as well as new fixtures and furniture.
The project also includes:
• Improved accessibility, such as a relocated service desk and lower bookshelves
• Technology to support virtual meetings
• Renovated and relocated restrooms
• More efficient building systems such as security, electrical, heating and cooling
At your service
License centers keep you moving
Dakota County is focused on creating meaningful spaces that make the community feel welcome.
The children’s section is designed to inspire imaginative play for young visitors and provide space for children and their caregivers to connect. The teen area will feature a friendly atmosphere designed specifically for them — a place to hang out, play games and study. A new programming room will host various classes.
Wentworth Library is introducing a Quiet Zone as part of the remodel that will provide a space for individuals seeking a more traditional library environment to read or study. A calming room near the children’s area is specifically designed for individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other disabilities who need a comforting space to regulate while in the library.
The remodeled Wentworth Library will feature refreshed spaces for visitors to relax and seek assistance, kids to play and explore, and people of all ages to learn and grow together.
Temporary library location planned
To accommodate the renovation and improvements, Wentworth Library is expected to close in spring 2025, but library services will still be available.
Customers can pick up holds, return items, browse for new materials and use computers, copiers and printers at the temporary location on the second floor of the Dakota County Northern Service Center at 1 Mendota Road W. in West St. Paul.
To learn more about the renovation, visit www.dakotacounty.us/library, search Wentworth refresh.
You expect good customer service when you go to a restaurant or store. Why should it be any different when you try to renew your driver’s license or apply for a passport?
Dakota County service and license centers work hard to make your visit as easy as possible. But, that can be challenging as demand grows. In 2024, the county served 196,751 customers at their six locations — a 15.6-percent increase from 2023.
We believe customer service doesn’t have to suffer while serving more residents. We monitor customer satisfaction through feedback surveys. In 2024, Dakota County residents rated their experience a 4.71 on a 5-point scale. A similar score of 4.65 was given in 2023. These scores are well above the government average of 4.0.
Even with high marks, we continually look for ways to improve your
Self-service success
Extended library hours a hit with residents
Dakota County Library has made its services even more convenient for users. Self-Service Hours are now available at all 10 library locations. Registered customers can access most library services and items — even when staff is not present.
Individuals who are 18 or older can sign up to use the library 6 a.m.–11 p.m., seven days a week, including holidays. This service opened to every Dakota County library location in summer 2024.
Since debuting at three library locations more than a year ago, 4,659 residents have registered for Self-Service Hours. They logged 42,843 visits and 39,078 checkouts in 2024.
Customers use meeting and conference rooms frequently during the expanded hours. It gives community groups, scout troops and others more spaces to gather in the evenings or on weekends. Self-Service Hours also lets visitors use computers and Wi-Fi and check out books and other materials.
experience. We added wait times for walk-in services on the county website, so you can avoid the lines. This lets you pick the time that fits into your schedule.
Online appointments are also available to ensure you get the time you want.
For locations, hours and services, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search license
Resident safety is priority, so there are cameras in each location to keep customers safe. All library policies must be followed. Customers are responsible for guests they bring in.
Registering is easy
• Watch a training video.
• Register and agree to a waiver.
• Wait for notification that the access card is ready for pick-up.
• Pick up your access card.
To learn more or register, visit www.dakotacounty.us/library and search self service, or scan the QR code.
Top 3 visits
Inver
– Inver Grove Heights
– Burnsville
These three locations were first to offer Self-Service Hours.
By the numbers
In Brief
Events for you
Know what to do this spring and summer
Monthly
Fix-It Clinics
Get free help fixing everything from sweaters to vacuums.
• March 15, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Dakota Lodge, West St. Paul
• April 26, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Kaposia Library, South St. Paul
• May 17, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Pleasant Hill Library, Hastings
• June 21, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Heritage Library, Lakeville
• July 20, 1–4 p.m., Trapp Farm Park, Eagan
• Aug. 16, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Inver Glen Library, Inver Grove Heights www.dakotacounty.us, search fix-it clinic.
Free and low-cost vaccines
Dakota County Public Health offers many vaccines for children and adults, including hepatitis B, Tdap and polio.
Vaccines are free for children on a Minnesota health care program (Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare or PMAP) or who are American Indian or Alaskan Native. Low-cost vaccines are available for uninsured and underinsured children and adults. Adults must be Dakota County residents.
Call 952-891-7999 for a vaccine appointment.
February–October
Landscaping for Clean Water
Learn about simple yard landscaping that also improves water quality and provides pollinator habitat during in-person and virtual programming. www.dakotaswcd.org, search landscaping.
March
Rain Barrels and Compost Bins
Starting March 1, Dakota County residents can order rain barrels and compost bins while supplies last on the Recycling Association of Minnesota website. Use code “Dakota” at checkout for a 30-percent discount. Pick them up in Rosemount or Mendota Heights in May.
Salt Take Back
Dakota County will accept unused, clean salt from winter maintenance professionals to prevent improper disposal. Call 651-755-3121 for an appointment from March 1–May 31.
Free Well Water Nitrate
Testing
Bring private well water samples in a clean container to get your water tested for nitrates on Tuesday, March 11 from 3–7 p.m. at the Farmington Library. Get your questions answered by well and groundwater experts. Water-themed activities will be provided for children.
April
WHEP volunteering
Volunteer with the Wetland Health Evaluation Program to help monitor county wetlands this summer. Registration opens Monday, April 7. www.dakotacounty.us, search WHEP.
Recycling Ambassador Course
Learn to reduce waste, recycle more and inspire others to do the same during a free, six-week virtual course on Tuesdays, April 15–May 20 from 6–8 p.m. Field trips planned. Program graduates volunteer 30 hours to put their skills to work.
June
Summer Solstice Party
Celebrate the start of summer with live music, yard games, food trucks and fun on Friday, June 20 from 6–9:03 p.m. at Thompson County Park, West St. Paul. Free event. www.dakotacounty.us/parks, search solstice.
June–August
Music in the Park
Visit Whitetail Woods Regional Park for entertaining musical performances and tasty food truck fare on five Tuesdays throughout the season. All events from 5–7 p.m. and free.
• May 27
• June 24
• July 29
• Aug. 26
• Sept. 30
www.dakotacounty.us, search music
August
Starry Trek
Search area lakes for starry stonewort, an algae that is Minnesota’s newest aquatic invasive species, on Saturday, Aug. 9. www.dakotacounty.us, search AIS
All ages 25th Anniversary Celebrations
Join us for open house celebrations commemorating the 25th anniversary of Heritage Library and Inver Glen Library. Enjoy light refreshments, remarks and special activities.
• Heritage Library
Thursday, Feb. 27, 3–5 p.m.
• Inver Glen Library
Wednesday, March 26, 2–4 p.m.
Puzzle & Board Game Swap
Drop in with a new or gently used jigsaw puzzle or board game to trade or donate and take home one that is new to you. Presented with Dakota Valley Recycling. All ages.
• Inver Glen Library
Saturday, April 19, 10:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
• Burnhaven Library
Saturday, April 26, 1:30–3 p.m.
Adult
Eco-Organizing: How to Minimize Your Environmental Impact
Learn five eco-friendly strategies when decluttering and getting organized. Explore the environmental impacts of decluttering, how recycling resources can help or hurt your green efforts and how your clutter can make a difference in your community. Presented by Life Done Simply.
• Burnhaven Library
Tuesday, April 29, 6–7:15 p.m.
Senior Lounge
Join us for Senior Lounge, a time for older adults to socialize, do crafts, play cards or complete puzzles. Make connections with each other and to the resources in your local library.
• Inver Glen Library
Monday, March 3, 1–2:30 p.m.
Monday, April 7, 1–2:30 p.m.
Time to Shine: Design Your Own Clock
Drop-in to unleash your creativity and transform a laser-cut clock face into a personalized masterpiece. Use paints, pencils or markers to add your own designs to a functional piece of art. Presented by Make with Sam.
• Pleasant Hill Library
Wednesday, March 19, 3–6 p.m.
• Inver Glen Library
Saturday, May 17, 1–4 p.m.
Author Catherine Lyon
Catherine Lyon discusses “Dark and Deep,” book two of the Rosie Canto mystery series. Rosie learns to use her memory-stealing powers for good — extracting traumatic moments from the minds of veterans suffering with PTSD, but when one of those memories is of a real-life murder, she must get to the bottom of it. Presented in partnership with the Rosemount Area Arts Council.
• Robert Trail Library
Thursday, April 17, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Youth
Sensory-Friendly Saturday
Explore books, music, movement and play in a sensory-friendly setting that welcomes children of all abilities, including those who have difficulty in large groups, are on the autism spectrum or experience sensory overload. For children ages 3–8 with caregivers.
• Wescott Library
Saturday, March 1, 10–10:45 a.m.
Books & Beyond: Music and Movement
Join us for stories, songs and a craft around the theme of music and movement. Adults will also have the opportunity for a breakout session to learn practical insights on early childhood development. For ages birth to 3 years with their caregivers. Presented with Hastings ECFE.
• Pleasant Hill Library
Wednesday, March 12, 10–11 a.m.
Play and Learn
Drop in to play with tactile toys, navigate tunnels and hoops, hop down a path, and weave through cones in this full-body movement experience. For youth ages birth to 6 with their caregivers.
• Inver Glen Library
Thursday, March 20, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 17, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Youth Chess and Scrabble Play
Drop in for open chess and Scrabble play. Have fun while flexing your brain muscles. Go up against other young players and learn game strategy from a variety of books. For youth ages 8 and up.
• Wescott Library
Saturday, March 8, 2–3:30 p.m.
Books & Beyond: Exploring Art
Join us for stories, activities and crafts around the theme of exploring art. Presented with ISD 192 Early Childhood Family Education. For youth ages birth to 6 with their caregivers. Library doors will open at 10 a.m. for this event.
• Farmington Library
Wednesday, March 19, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Books & Beyond: Happy Birthday
Join us for stories, activities and crafts around the theme of happy birthday. Presented in partnership with the ISD 194 ECFE Advisory Council. Geared for youth ages 0–5 with their caregivers.
• Heritage Library
Thursday, March 27, 9:30–10:15 a.m.
Our Work
Staying ahead of the curve
SMART Center serves growing number of first responders
Since launching in 2021, a Dakota County facility has played a crucial role in training thousands of first responders in crisisresponse techniques.
The Safety and Mental Health Alternative Response Training (SMART) Center, a 35,000-square-foot facility in Inver Grove Heights, provides training space for the Minnesota Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and other regional public safety efforts.
The SMART Center features a large, multi-room space for first responders to learn de-escalation techniques that
emphasize verbal communication over physical contact with people in crisis.
Before moving to the SMART Center, the CIT program was a mobile service operating out of a trailer that served 525 people in 2019. That number grew by 148 percent in 2023, when 1,304 people received CIT training at the SMART Center.
The SMART Center facility allows CIT staff to create programs that encourage participation, conversation and discovery. The classes help keep officers on track with state training requirements and ahead of the curve for conflict training.
Training at the SMART Center helps our Dakota County Sheriff’s Office deputies and other law enforcement officers learn and practice crisis intervention skills in practical settings — similar to what they encounter on the job. More than 50 agencies have attended CIT training, including departments from around the state.
SMART Center classes include:
• Crisis intervention
• Mental health awareness
• Crisis intervention coaching
• Interactive role-play scenario
Final check
Many steps taken to ensure accurate election results
Dakota County voters should remember one number from the 2024 general election — 100 percent.
In our final check, known as a post-election review, there was 100-percent accuracy of vote counts on 6,979 ballots. We expected that result. Our voters can be confident their ballots are counted accurately.
Attendees are tested before and after training. In 2024, testing scores of law enforcement officers, corrections officers and social workers who were trained revealed significant gains in mental illness knowledge and de-escalation skills:
• Law enforcement officers increased 34 percent
• Corrections officers increased 25 percent
• Social workers increased 15 percent
The training improves our work on the street. That includes a 2024 incident when an officer who received CIT training at the SMART Center responded to a South St. Paul call involving a juvenile in crisis. Because the officer had learned how to establish a quick rapport with the child, she was able to talk the juvenile out of a dangerous situation and got the help that was needed.
1,304 First responders and others trained at the SMART Center in 2023
50+ Agencies that have trained at the SMART Center
The State of Minnesota requires the post-election review. It involves a hand recount of ballots from a certain number of precincts to confirm the accuracy of ballot tabulating machines. Precincts were picked at the county’s canvassing board meeting after the election. Public observers selected the precincts at random. The post-election review took place Nov. 14 as public observers watched.
For this post-election review, the following precincts were selected — Lilydale, New Trier, Lakeville
A home to others
The SMART Center is also the home to the Dakota County Electronic Crimes Unit (ECU) and the Dakota County Drug Task Force — two units that needed more space.
The ECU uses shared space to crack cases by accessing seized devices like smartphones and computers. Unit members team up to share information, skills and clues.
Since their cases often intersect, ECU members and drug task force members from local law enforcement agencies work together to connect digital dots and solve crimes.
Those examples of collaboration and innovation helped earn the Sheriff’s Office a public safety award in 2022 for Leaders in Local Government from the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce.
precinct 17, City of Randolph and Apple Valley precinct 10.
Votes for president, U.S. senator and U.S. representative were handcounted. The results matched the tally of electronic voting machines. With three races reviewed across nearly 7,000 ballots, that’s about 21,000 individual votes counted without error.
There were a total of 261,161 ballots cast in Dakota County in the 2024 general election.
Continued
Our Work
Continued from page 9
All that happens after the election. We also complete multiple rounds of equipment checks before anyone casts a ballot.
Election staff members conduct preliminary machine testing. Then, public accuracy testing occurs with election judges from both major political parties. We don’t use any voting equipment unless we have demonstrated it will count results with complete accuracy.
Transparency is important in the election process. We welcome voters
and the public to observe the process in person. You can also sign up for a public notice e-newsletter with election information at www.dakotacounty.us, search e-news.
In 2025, the county will help administer township elections in the spring. Local elections, such as school district races, will take place in the fall.
As we did last year, Dakota County will administer absentee ballots for nearly all cities and school districts in the county in 2025. This is more efficient and helps local governments.
Regardless of how you cast your ballot — by absentee, through early voting or
Legal matters
Law Library helps residents through complex court issues
Dealing with a legal matter can be overwhelming. Whether it’s a divorce, a civil lawsuit or a landlord-tenant issue, the anxiety of not knowing how the court system works combined with complex legal language can leave a person feeling lost.
If you can’t afford an attorney but don’t qualify for legal assistance, the Dakota County Law Library is here to help with any topic. The library’s three full-time staff can’t provide legal advice, but they can get you started. They can find and help complete legal forms, explain processes or language, or direct you to free legal services.
In 2023, the Law Library helped about 7,000 residents. Of those, about 74 percent involved family law. This includes topics like divorce, child custody and visitation, and child support.
When people need legal advice for family law, the Law Library partners
with nonprofits like Legal Assistance of Dakota County. They provide free 30-minute phone calls with volunteer attorneys. In 2023, the Law Library directed 682 people to this service.
In addition, the Law Library helps residents with criminal cases, housing and real estate, and orders for protection.
They also provide continuing legal education for attorneys. Every attorney in the state needs to complete 36 hours of continuing education every three years. The Law Library offers a onehour course every month, so attorneys can complete this requirement at no cost. In 2023, there were 812 attendees for 11 courses.
Law Library services aren’t funded through property taxes. Instead, the library’s budget comes from residents who use the court system. A $15 fee is added for things like speeding tickets, divorce filings or court fees for those convicted of a crime. Minnesota’s law library system is one of the most robust in the nation.
The Law Library has two locations
By the ballot
A hand recount of all ballots in the following Dakota County precincts confirmed vote totals were 100-percent accurate.
Precinct Ballots counted
in-person — Dakota County's votes are counted accurately.
Learn more about elections through videos and information at www.dakotacounty.us, search elections
Served about 7,000 residents in 2023 –74 percent dealing with family law
Partnered with Legal Assistance of Dakota County to offer 682 free 30-minute consultations
Hosted 812 attendees for Continuing Legal Education courses in 2023
to serve you — the Judicial Center in Hastings and the Galaxie Library in Apple Valley. The Judicial Center location is open 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday. Resources are available at the Galaxie Library during all business hours, but staff is available 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday. You can also call 651-438-8080 or email lawlibrarymain@co.dakota.mn.us.
Community
Helping hands
Dakota County volunteers mark 10 years of success
Community
Dakota County’s ability to provide quality services and popular activities for residents isn’t possible without our volunteers.
Since 2015, Dakota County has welcomed more than 15,000 volunteers who contribute their time and talent to benefit many county services. They have logged more than 289,000 hours in 2,100 opportunities over the volunteer program’s 10 years. All this work adds up to a whopping $8.5 million in services provided to the county.
With so many hands eager to help, the question no longer is “How can we do this?” but “Why not?”
Volunteers support our communities in times of need and crisis. When the pandemic hit five years ago, volunteers stepped in to help our public health experts provide care to residents who
16,988 pounds of garbage removed from riverbanks and wetlands
needed it most. They helped save lives, including the most vulnerable among us.
Volunteers help people facing tough circumstances navigate the court system. They mentor youth, adults and veterans. They also pack food for the hungry — in our county and around the world — providing nutrition and hope in hard times.
A lot of work done by Dakota County volunteers might otherwise not be
Volunteer impacts
$8.5 million .... Value provided
289,000 .......... Volunteer hours
15,000 .......... County volunteers
2,100 ....... Opportunities offered Volunteer accomplishments over the past decade:
• 2,300 greeting cards sent to military veterans and troops serving overseas
• 13,618 camper kits produced for campground recycling
• 99,380 native plants planted in county parks
• 21,276 plants grown from seed found in our parks
• 14,473 miles of park trails and greenways patrolled
• 270 miles of county road cleaned annually 96,899 meals packed and distributed
• 16,988 pounds of garbage removed from riverbanks and wetlands
• 8,425 containers relabeled for proper waste collection
• 5,059 items repaired at Fix-It Clinics and saved from a landfill
• 25,491 pounds of material kept out of local landfills
possible. Thanks to those willing to lend their time and talent, our libraries provide homework help for students in grades K–12. Those with pets provide a furry companion for kids who are learning to read.
Adopt-a-Highway volunteers fill garbage bags to keep county roadways free of debris. Volunteers wear waders to monitor wetlands and lakes for certain plants, aquatic species and other signs of a healthy or unhealthy ecosystem.
Volunteers have also helped improve our natural landscapes. Where harmful invasive species once stood, native flowers now erupt in color each spring.
The county saves thousands of dollars each year thanks to our volunteer seed collection program. Native plant seeds are gathered and processed by volunteers. Those seeds are grown at home by volunteers or in the county’s hoop house before they are planted back into our parks by volunteers — completing a cycle that improves the health of the environment. As native plants flourish, pollinators like the monarch butterfly and the endangered rustypatched bumblebee have more resources to thrive.
Volunteers on foot, bike or skis keep our park trails and greenways safe by providing friendly service, directions and information. Popular winter park events like Trails by Candlelight and New Year’s Eve family celebration would not be possible without the hundreds of volunteers who chip in during the harshest months of the year.
Volunteers help us respond to the needs of our community. Our volunteers have accomplished so much, but many opportunities remain. If you are interested in volunteering, now is the perfect time to start. Explore your options at www.dakotacounty.us, search volunteer
Watch a video about Dakota County volunteers:
Community
PEER REVIEW
Youth offenders held accountable by fellow teens in Dakota County Peer Court
When youth make mistakes with legal consequences, it’s important they learn from them. The Dakota County Peer Court diversion program helps youth offenders change behaviors and remain law-abiding.
The Dakota County Attorney’s Office and Dakota County District Court run Peer Court. It’s an alternative to traditional Juvenile Court for first-time offenders accused of misdemeanor theft, property damage or other low-level offenses. The Attorney’s Office refers youth to the program.
By participating in Peer Court, youth can avoid delinquency charges and a juvenile court record. High school students volunteer as jurors, observers and court bailiffs. They help decide how to hold juvenile offenders accountable.
The program has served 68 juveniles since 2020. A volunteer district court judge, a program coordinator and assistant county attorney oversee Peer Court. Currently, five high schools take part — Hastings, Farmington, Eastview, Lakeville North and Lakeville South.
During a Peer Court hearing, student jurors review charges against a juvenile offender. With support from their parent or guardian, the juvenile can explain their side of the story. Jurors ask questions before they leave to discuss the case with an attorney
advisor. Then, jurors recommend an appropriate outcome to the judge, who makes a final decision.
The offender, their parent or guardian, and the judge sign a Peer Court order. The order outlines conditions the juvenile must complete. The county monitors whether the juvenile meets the conditions. Conditions may include completing community service hours, paying restitution, attending a class or counseling, or writing an essay or apology.
Youth are held accountable for minor, first-time offenses without the involvement of the traditional court system. The program teaches youth about the juvenile justice system and gives them opportunities to interact with positive adult role models. It also provides leadership opportunities to other youth who volunteer to help reduce juvenile crime in their community.
1,500
High school students who have volunteered as Peer Court jurors, court bailiffs and observers
68
Youth who have completed Peer Court since 2020
Community
A healthy start
Mothers and Babies program helps new parents manage stress and emotional challenges
Being pregnant and having a baby is very exciting — and it can be very challenging for parents.
Those challenges aren’t limited to learning sleep and feeding schedules. Preparing for a newborn and caring for an infant can be hard on a parent's mental health and emotions.
Parents might wonder if they’re doing a good job. They worry about their baby’s health or their own. They can get exhausted from new expectations.
Often, stress is short-lived and parents can manage it. But, sometimes it leads to anxiety and depression. That can affect how they bond with their baby, feel about themselves and manage relationships.
Dakota County’s Mothers and Babies program works with pregnant and
new parents to learn ways to manage stress and emotional challenges.
One in 5 women experience depression after childbirth. Also, 1 in 9 partners experience depression and anxiety as new parents. Trained public health staff share skills with new mothers to help them as well as their partners, who may not get help on their own.
Mothers and Babies works in the county’s family home visiting program. It is available to all new parents who would like support to improve their mental well-being.
Parents start with a mental health screening to identify how they feel and what challenges they face. During the program, they will talk with public health staff about parenting situations and learn and practice tools to manage stress. They also learn about child development and ways to promote healthy physical, social and emotional development.
We'll also talk with parents about how adult relationships and roles might change with a baby and how
to be comfortable asking for help and support. Mothers and Babies is not therapy, but it teaches tools that can help improve mental health.
The program has already served at least 49 families in Dakota County. It has reduced depression and anxiety levels by an average of 30 percent, according to screening done before and after the program.
Other Minnesota counties offer similar programs for new parents. Dakota County takes it a step further by having bilingual staff visit Spanish-speaking families. We also connect families to other community resources. If parents speak a language other than English or Spanish, we provide an interpreter.
Learning these skills is important for parents. If they are aware of their own feelings and how to handle them, they can better respond to their child’s needs. A healthy parent is a healthy child.
For more information, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search mothers and babies.
1 in 5 Women experience depression after childbirth
1 in 9 Partners experience depression and anxiety as new parents 49 Dakota County families already served by program
Reduction in parent depression and anxiety following program
www.dakotacounty.us/parks
Goats, machinery, bison, fire and elbow grease have one thing in common in Dakota County Parks — they each play a role in restoring natural areas.
Our Natural Resources teams have restored more than 2,500 acres of county parkland with more projects underway this year.
We restore natural areas to rejuvenate land that’s been impacted over time by different factors. We’re part of a larger effort to preserve, protect and reintroduce plant and animal life that faces increasing pressure from population sprawl and climate change.
Sometimes, that means restoring land to reintroduce a species whose habitat was plowed under long ago. Other times, our work can peel away layers of human impact to reveal long-buried species that can thrive again.
Restoring a wetland
An example of that work can be found deep inside Lebanon Hills Regional Park at Buck Pond. Our Natural Resources staff discovered the pond and its surrounding area was layered in sediment left behind from farming practices.
We dug deep and found native soil beneath the sediment. Using machinery, we carefully scraped away truckloads of sediment. This sediment was also dominated by reed canary grass that had taken over the edges of the pond and was removed during the process.
The project allowed the exposed soil to grow native wetland plants whose seeds had been buried up to 100 years ago. The result? A healthy wetland at Buck Pond, where wildlife and plants are returning and diversifying.
Growing success
Sometimes it takes more than removing sediment to restore a landscape. That can mean manually reintroducing species that once thrived in Dakota County’s prairies, woodlands and wetlands.
For those projects, we raise our own plants that are brought to the field and planted in concentrated areas to promote pollination.
Our program is thriving thanks to volunteers, who devoted more than 4,700 hours last year to natural resources. However, we have run out of space for this important work. This year, we’re opening the doors on a greenhouse at the new Lebanon Hills Maintenance Facility. We will be able to grow more plugs and keep pace with expanding restoration projects, including our growing greenway network.
Going wild
Over the last five years, we’ve completed wildlife projects — often with partners — involving more than 35 species at more than 15 sites. They include:
• Data collection on fishers, a mammal in the weasel family. This work, completed in partnership with a University of Minnesota-Duluth researcher, revealed a fisher living and successfully nesting in Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Crews attached
tracking equipment to the fisher to learn more about the largely unknown animal.
• Discovering a possible new bat species in Whitetail Woods Regional Park. Discovery of the evening bat would mark the second detection of the species in Minnesota. We’re continuing our work to confirm this discovery.
• Surveying and banding American woodcocks in Lebanon Hills Regional Park in partnership with a University of Oklahoma researcher.
Completing restoration work requires the right tool for the job, such as:
Fire, used to replicate the natural process that recharges prairieland. We conducted 13 prescribed burns across 101 acres in 2024.
Bison, a reintroduced species that helps prairie restoration while helping us connect with and learn from our Indigenous partners.
Machinery, which can clear brush to help sunlight reach native plants crowded out by invasive species.
Goats, which helped control exotic species on 140 acres last year in three Dakota County parks.
Uncommon finds
In 2024 alone, we discovered 10 rare or uncommon plant species in Dakota County parks, greenways and easements:
• Sun drops -shown below
• Sweet grass
• False melic grass
• Pinweed
• Brown bog sedge
• White bear sedge
• Seneca snakeroot
• Woodrush
• Hill’s thistle
• Ebony spleenwort
On the move
Greenway system continues to expand
After opening new sections in 2024, Dakota County’s greenway system will continue growing this year.
The Hastings area and Mendota Heights are among communities that will see additional greenway growth. At 57 miles, we’re nearly one-third of the way toward the goal of about 200 interconnected greenway miles across the county.
Last year, we:
• Completed the Mississippi River Greenway, a 28-mile trail connecting Hastings and St. Paul. The final 2-mile section just west of Spring Lake Park Reserve was finished in fall 2024.
• Wrapped up the first phase of the Veterans Memorial Greenway in Inver Grove Heights, including an underpass sculpted to resemble a military bunker. Once complete, the 5-mile greenway running through Eagan and Inver Grove Heights will honor Dakota County’s veterans with memorial plazas.
• Closed gaps along the North Creek Greenway in Apple Valley, Lakeville and Farmington.
This year, we will open the Vermillion River Greenway near Hastings and
break ground on a section of the River to River Greenway in Mendota Heights.
As the system continues expanding, look for updated wayfinding markers along our greenways. New signs, kiosks and pavement markings will help greenway users get where they’re going while learning interesting facts about the areas they’ll be traveling.
More than trails
All greenways are paved surfaces for walking, riding and rolling, but they’re more than recreation trails. Greenways connect communities and can be considered an extension of parks — connecting open spaces along natural, preserved areas.
Use greenways for:
• Recreation, including foot and wheelchair travel, bicycling and inline skating.
• Transportation routes for commuters, students, retail shoppers and getting to destinations.
• Learning opportunities through interpretive stations along the way.
• Birding, scenery and photography.
Watch a video to learn more about Dakota County greenways:
PROGRAMS & EVENTS
Program registration for spring/summer opens March 1.
YOUTH
KNEE-HIGH NATURALISTS
Discover nature with a child through hands-on activities, outdoor exploration, art projects, storytime and more.
Age: 3–6
Fee: $8/youth Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Amphibians & Reptiles
These remarkable creatures are getting ready for spring. Learn where they live and what they eat.
Activity Number: 112001-01
• Thu, April 3, 10–11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: 112001-02
• Sat, April 5, 10–11:30 a.m.
Plants in Spring
Take a walk in the woods to explore how plants come to life in the spring.
Activity Number: 112001-03
• Thu, May 1, 10–11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: 112001-04
• Sat, May 3, 10–11:30 a.m.
Eggs and Young Birds are not the only animals that hatch from an egg. Join an egg hunt and explore eggs up close.
Activity Number: 112001-05
• Thu, June 5, 10–11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: 112001-06
• Sat, June 7, 10–11:30 a.m.
Into the Woods
Be an explorer and discover what animals and plants live together in the forest.
Activity Number: 112001-07
• Thu, July 10, 10–11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: 112001-08
• Sat, July 12, 10–11:30 a.m.
Bugs
Catch bugs with a net and learn how important bugs are to our ecosystem.
Activity Number: 112001-09
• Thu, Aug. 7, 10–11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: 112001-10
• Sat, Aug. 9, 10–11:30 a.m.
Autumn Trees
Discover how trees get ready for winter through tree games and leaf art.
Activity Number: 112001-11
• Thu, Sept. 4, 10–11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: 112001-12
• Sat, Sept. 6, 10–11:30 a.m.
HOMESCHOOL LAB
Use the park as your lab for handson study, scientific inquiry and experimentation.
Age: 6–12
Fee: $8/youth
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Campfire Cooking
Learn fire science and safety, build the best cooking fire and try out some tasty treats.
Activity Number: 111501-01
• Wed, April 2, 9–11 a.m.
Activity Number: 111501-02
• Wed, April 2, 1–3 p.m.
Activity Number: 111501-03
• Thu, April 3, 1–3 p.m.
Spring Migration
Birding is Pokémon GO in nature — try to catch all the spring migrants before they head north.
Activity Number: 111501-04
• Wed, May 7, 9–11 a.m.
Activity Number: 111501-05
• Wed, May 7, 1–3 p.m.
Activity Number: 111501-06
• Thu, May 8, 1–3 p.m.
Poisonous Plants and Venomous Animals
Explore how organisms protect themselves from predation and learn the common ones to avoid.
Activity Number: 111501-07
• Wed, June 4, 9–11 a.m.
Activity Number: 111501-08
• Wed, June 4, 1–3 p.m.
Activity Number: 111501-09
• Thu, June 5, 1–3 p.m.
Paint with Flowers
Create natural paints and dyes from plants and craft a bookmark to take home.
Activity Number: 111501-10
• Wed, Sept. 3, 9–11 a.m.
Activity Number: 111501-11
• Wed, Sept. 3, 1–3 p.m.
Activity Number: 111501-12
• Thu, Sept. 4, 1–3 p.m.
STORYTIME
Join Dakota County Library for a fun and interactive storytime in the new yurt at Lebanon Hills.
Age: 2–6
Free
Lebanon Hills Yurt
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Activity Number: 111801-01
• Tue, April 1, 10–10:30 a.m.
Activity Number: 111801-02
• Thu, April 17, 1–1:30 p.m.
Activity Number: 111801-03
• Tue, May 6, 10–10:30 a.m.
Activity Number: 111801-04
• Thu, May 22, 1–1:30 p.m.
Activity Number: 111801-05
• Thu, June 5. 1–1:30 p.m.
SUMMER CAMPS
FISH CAMP
Explore the world of Minnesota fish through hands-on games and activities and spend the afternoons learning to cast, catch and release.
Age: 8–12
Fee: $165/youth
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110401-01
• Mon–Wed, June 16–18, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
SMALL FRY FISH CAMP
Join us for a day camp designed for the youngest anglers. Learn the basics of fishing and how to cast, tie knots, and get out on the water to catch the big one.
Age: 6–8
Fee: $60/youth
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110407-01
• Fri, June 20, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
FISH CAMP
Explore the world of Minnesota fish through hands-on games and activities and spend the afternoons learning to cast, catch and release.
Age: 10–14
Fee: $165/youth
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110401-02
• Wed–Fri, June 25–27, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
BOOKS IN THE WOODS
A camp for our littlest nature explorers. Read a different book each day and use the story to explore the park.
Age: 4–6
Fee: $90/youth
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110412-01
• Mon–Wed, June 30–Jul 2, 9 a.m.–noon
JUNIOR NATURALIST CAMP
Get a feel for science in the field. Work with park naturalists and ecologists to track and study plant and animal populations.
Age: 10–14
Fee: $225/youth
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110417-01
• Mon–Fri, July 7–11, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
ARCHERY CAMP
Learn the basics of archery, including proper technique and range safety, through fun activities.
Age: 8–12
Fee: $135/youth
Archery Shelter
Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 110402-01
• Mon–Fri, July 14–18, 9 a.m.–noon Activity Number: 110402-02
• Mon–Fri, July 21–25, 9 a.m.–noon
ARCHERY CAMP
Learn the basics of archery, including proper technique and range safety, through fun activities.
Age: 10–14
Fee: $135/youth
Archery Shelter
Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 110402-03
• Mon–Fri, July 28–Aug. 1, 9 a.m.–noon
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
From outdoor recreation and survival skills to journaling and crafts, a mix of camp favorites for LGBTQ campers and allies.
Age: 10–14
Fee: $165/youth
Location: TBD Activity Number: 110419-01
• Mon–Wed, Aug. 4–6, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
WILDERNESS SURVIVAL CAMP
Learn to survive in the woods by constructing survival shelters, building fires, learning knot-tying skills, wayfinding and more.
Age: 8–12
Fee: $215/youth
Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110404-01
• Mon–Thu, Aug. 11–14, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
WILDERNESS SURVIVAL CAMP
Learn to survive in the woods by constructing survival shelters, building fires, learning knot-tying skills, wayfinding and more.
Age: 10–14
Fee: $215/youth
Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110404-02
• Mon–Thu, Aug. 11–14, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
LITTLE RIPPERS MOUNTAIN BIKE DAY CAMP
Join us for a day camp designed for young riders, taught by Valley Bike and Ski. Bring your mountain bike and helmet. No previous experience required.
Age: 6–10
Fee: $60/youth
Mountain Bike Shelter
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110406-01
• Wed, June 11, 9 a.m.–noon Activity Number: 110406-02
• Wed, July 16, 9 a.m.–noon
MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP
Grab your mountain bike and helmet, and join Valley Bike and Ski to learn bike handling skills, bike maintenance, trail maintenance and more. No experience required.
Age: 10–15
Fee: $160/youth
Mountain Bike Shelter
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110403-01
• Mon–Thu, June 23–26, 9 a.m.–noon Activity Number: 110403-05
• Mon–Thu, Aug. 18–21, 9 a.m.–noon
MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP FOR BOYS
Grab your mountain bike and helmet, and join Valley Bike and Ski to learn bike handling skills, bike maintenance, trail maintenance and more. No experience required.
Age: 10–15
Fee: $160/youth
Mountain Bike Shelter
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110403-02
• Mon–Thu, July 7–10, 9 a.m.–noon
MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP FOR GIRLS
Grab your mountain bike and helmet, and join Valley Bike and Ski to learn bike handling skills, bike maintenance, trail maintenance and more. No experience required.
Age: 10–15
Fee: $160/youth
Mountain Bike Shelter
Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Activity Number: 110403-03
• Mon–Thu, July 7–10, 9 a.m.–noon
ADVANCED MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP
Take your riding to the next level by diving deeper into bike skills and body separation drills. Must have completed previous Dakota County Mountain Bike Camp and be able to ride black trails at Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Age: 11–15
Fee: $160/youth
Mountain Bike Shelter
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110403-04
Mon–Thu, Aug. 4–7, 9 a.m.–noon
FAMILY
FOREVER WILD FAMILY FRIDAY
Join us for family fun on the first Friday of every month. Learn about a different, exciting topic through hands-on activities, games and nature walks. Stick around for a bonfire and s'mores.
All ages Free
April Showers
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111001-01
• Fri, April 4, 6–7:30 p.m.
Wildflowers
East Shelter
Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 111001-02
• Fri, May 2, 6–7:30 p.m.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111001-03
• Fri, June 6, 6–7:30 p.m.
Yard Games
Empire Shelter
Whitetail Woods Regional Park Activity Number: 111001-04
• Fri, July 11, 6–7:30 p.m.
Nature Crafts
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111001-05
• Fri, Aug. 1, 6–7:30 p.m.
Raptor Migration
Gathering Center
Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 111001-06
• Fri, Sept. 5, 6–7:30 p.m.
STORYTRAIL
Take a self-guided walk in the park while reading picture book pages displayed along the trail. All ages Free
Thompson Lake Loop
Thompson County Park Activity Number: 110902-01
• Fri–Mon, May 23–26, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
McDonough Lake Loop
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110902-02
• Fri–Mon, Aug. 29–Sept. 1, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
WILD ART FOR FAMILIES
Gather with friends and family to create nature inspired arts and crafts.
Fused Glass Critters
Use colorful glass to make your own insects and critters. Eagan Art House will fire your artwork in their kilns. Creations will be ready for pickup two weeks after class.
Age: 6 and older
Fee: $35/person
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110205-01
• Thu, July 17, 6–8 p.m.
Painting with Wool
Dive into the lush and tactile world of needle felting in this easy, introductory fiber arts program. Participants will blend fibers to create custom colors, add novelty materials to build texture, and even have a chance to add some embroidered details.
Age: 10 and older
Fee: $30/person
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110205-02
• Fri, April 18, 6–8 p.m.
Garden Art
Explore the garden and experiment with fruit and flower pigments. Use fresh veggies to make stamps, and take home a flower-pounded masterpiece.
Age: 6 and older
Fee: $15/person
Community Learning Garden Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 110205-03
• Thu, Aug. 21, 6–7:30 p.m.
WOODCOCK WALK
Discover the well-camouflaged woodcock and take a walk to try to spot and hear the bird's aerial display.
Age: 8 and older
Fee: $5/person
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111702-01
• Thu, April 10, 7:30–9 p.m.
PARENT/CHILD
CANOE
Spend an evening with a child in your life learning the basics of canoeing and having fun with games and activities on the water.
Age: 5 and older
Fee: $30/family
Schulze Beach
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111902-01
• Mon, July 14, 6:30–8 p.m.
Activity Number: 111902-02
• Mon, July 21, 6:30–8 p.m. Activity Number: 111902-03
• Mon, July 28, 6:30–8 p.m.
PARENT/CHILD KAYAK
Spend an evening with a child in your life learning the basics of kayaking and having fun with games and activities on the water.
Age: 5 and older
Fee: $15/person
Schulze Beach
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111901-01
• Mon, Aug. 4, 6:30–8 p.m.
Activity Number: 111901-02
• Mon, Aug. 11, 6:30–8 p.m.
Activity Number: 111901-03
• Mon, Aug. 18, 6:30–8 p.m.
SPARK! MOBILE
Join the City of Eagan's puppet wagon for family friendly puppet shows and activities.
All ages
Free
Visitor Center Trailhead
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110203-01
• Fri, June 20–Aug. 8, 10–10:45 a.m.
PROGRAMS & EVENTS
FAMILY WILDFLOWER WALK
Hike with a naturalist when the spring ephemerals are in full bloom. Learn how to identify common wildflowers while exploring the trails.
Age: 5 and older
Fee: $5/person
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve
Trailhead
Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Activity Number: 111403-03
• Thu, May 1, 6–7:30 p.m.
PATIO POTS
Join us on Mother's Day to build a small patio pot with native plants collected and grown in the park.
Age: 5 and older
Fee: $15/person
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111302-01
• Sun, May 11, 11 a.m.–noon Activity Number: 111302-02
• Sun, May 11, 1–2 p.m.
PARENT/CHILD ARCHERY
Learn basic shooting techniques and range safety through games and activities.
Age: 8 and older
Fee: $15/person
Archery Shelter
Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 110101-01
• Sat, Aug. 9, 9 a.m.–noon
Activity Number: 110101-02
• Sat, Aug. 9, 1–4 p.m.
BIKES AND BISON
Embark on a group bike ride and explore the Mississippi River Greenway while learning about Dakota County Parks' bison herd. Participants must bring their own bicycles and helmets. Total distance of the trip will be under 8 miles.
Age: 5 and older
Fee: $5/person
Fahey Trailhead
Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve
Activity Number: 110303-01
• Sat, Sept. 20, 10–11:30 a.m.
ADULT
INTRO TO FLY FISHING FOR WOMEN
Join us for a hands-on introduction to the sport of fly fishing, designed especially for women, taught by the Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $15/person
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111102-01
• Wed, April 16, 6–8:30 p.m.
YOGA IN THE PARK
This summer, join Yoga Sanctuary for a series of outdoor classes and fun, interactive workshops. All levels of experience are welcome.
Yoga For All
A series of outdoor yoga classes that focus on promoting strength, flexibility and balance, while weaving together yogic philosophy, mindful movement and meditation.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $60/person
Camp Sacajawea Campground
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111201-01
• Sun, June 1, 8, 22, & 29, 10-11 a.m.
Camp Sacajawea Campground
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111201-02
• Sat, July 12, 19, 26 & Aug. 2, 10-11 a.m.
Camp Sacajawea Campground
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111201-03
• Wed, Aug. 6, 13, 20 & 27, 6-7 p.m.
Nature Walk + Yoga
Experience guided mindful movement as you wander toward the A-Frame shelter to enjoy yoga amid the trees and wildlife. All levels of experience are welcome. Full trip equates to about a mile walk.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $20/person
Visitor Center & A-frame Shelter
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111201-04
• Wed, June 4, 6:30-8 p.m.
Tree Hugger Yoga
Head into the woods for playful yoga among the trees. During this workshop, participants use the stability and energy of trees to help tap into a sense of grounding and connection with nature and all beings.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $20/person
Camp Sacajawea Campground
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111201-05
• Wed, July 16, 6:30–8 p.m.
Sunrise Yoga
Awaken your body and soul with a rejuvenating early sunrise yoga class, set against the backdrop of Schulze Lake. A perfect way to start your day feeling centered, refreshed and in harmony with nature.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $20/person
Lakeview Deck
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111201-05
• Sat, Aug. 23, 6:30-8 a.m.
WILD ART
Gather with fellow crafters and learn new skills taught by local artists.
Foraged Fibers
Dive deep into the world of basket weaving. Participants learn about locally available weaving materials, how to forage them ethically and when to harvest.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $15/person
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110204-01
• Thu, April 24, 6:30–8 p.m.
Dakota Lodge
Thompson County Park Activity Number: 110204-02
• Sat, April 26, 10–11:30 a.m.
Natural Dyes of Spring
Learn to identify, harvest and extract dye from plants, bark, flowers and weeds found in green spaces and your own backyard. Leave with a naturally dyed textile and a wealth of knowledge to create your own dye pots at home.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $35/person
Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110202-03
• Wed, April 30, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Basket Weaving Basics
In this multi-class series, learn foundational basket-weaving techniques to make square, rectangular, round and oval basket bases. Learn about simple techniques to weave the sides of a basket, weaving tension and shaping, and how to finish a basket by adding a rim.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $75/person
Lebanon Hills Yurt
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110202-05
• Thu, May 15, 22, & 29, 6–9 p.m.
Botanical Gel Prints
Make beautiful multi-layered prints using a variety of natural materials. Take prints home and use as cards, gift tags or framed gifts.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $30/person
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110202-04
• Sat, May 17, 10 a.m.–noon
Fused Glass Windchimes
Create an exquisite wind chime out of glass. Use colorful glass and learn to cut and arrange pieces for beautiful summer-themed artwork. Eagan Art House will fire your artwork in their kilns. Your creations will be ready for pickup about two weeks after class.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $30/person
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110202-06
• Thu, June 5, 6–8 p.m.
Natural Dyes of Summer
Learn to identify, harvest and extract dye from plants, bark, flowers and weeds found in green spaces and your own backyard. Leave with a naturally dyed textile and a wealth of knowledge to create your own dye pots at home.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $35/person
Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110202-08
• Thu, July 24, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Plein Air Painting
Learn to use oil paints and make several small paintings of landscapes, flowers, plants and other natural scenes. No previous painting experience is required.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $35/person
Community Learning Garden
Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 110202-07
• Thu, Aug. 28, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
BEGINNING BIRDING
Learn the best birding locations in the parks and gain identification skills and introductory birding tips.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $5/person
Schaar's Bluff Trailhead
Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 111705-01
• Thu, April 24, 6–7:30 p.m.
Thompson County Park Trailhead
Thompson County Park Activity Number: 111705-02
• Thu, May 1, 6–7:30 p.m.
Jensen Lake Trailhead
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 111705-03
• Thu, May 8, 6–7:30 p.m.
WILDFLOWER WALK
Hike with a naturalist when the spring ephemerals are in full bloom. Learn how to identify common wildflowers while exploring the trails.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $5/person
East Shelter Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 111403-01
• Tue, April 29, 10:30 a.m.–noon
BIRDING ON THE MISSISSIPPI
Bird with a naturalist along the Mississippi River Greenway and explore the unique vantage points along the river.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $5/person
Kaposia Landing
Kaposia Landing Trailhead Activity Number: 111701-01
• Tue, May 6, 7:30–9:30 a.m.
Schaar's Bluff Trailhead Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 111701-02
• Tue, May 13, 7:30–9:30 a.m.
Lock and Dam No. 2 Trailhead
Mississippi River Regional Trail Activity Number: 111701-03
• Tue, May 20, 7:30–9:30 a.m.
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.
Age: 15 and older
Fee: $70/person
Mountain Bike Shelter
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110301-01
• Wed, May 21, 28 & June 4, 6–8 p.m.
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.
Age: 15 and older
Fee: $70/person
Mountain Bike Shelter
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 110301-02
• Wed, May 21, 28 & June 4, 6–8 p.m.
BIKES AND BISON
Embark on a group bike ride and explore the Mississippi River Greenway while learning about Dakota County Parks' bison herd. Participants must bring their own bicycles and helmets. Total distance of the trip will be 12–15 miles.
Age: 16 and older
Fee: $5/person
Pine Bend Bluffs Trailhead
Mississippi River Regional Trail Activity Number: 110304-01
• Thu, Sept. 11, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
INFORMATION
REGISTRATION
To register online, search for the program using the activity number or a keyword 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. Call 952-891-7000.
EQUIPMENT
Provided unless specified.
EVENTS
OUTDOOR GEAR SWAP
Drop off unused outdoor gear items or pick up new-to-you gear. Don’t have anything to give away? That’s OK, all are welcome. Please do not bring chemicals or broken items. If you can't make the event, but have an item to donate, use the early drop-off option.
All ages
Free
Visitor Center
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 112401-01
• Tue, April 22, 4–7 p.m.
SPRING AT SPRING LAKE PARK RESERVE
Experience all that Spring Lake Park Reserve has to offer. Learn more about the prairie, bison and all the amazing wildlife along the Mississippi River and check out the rental facilities and amenities that you can enjoy year-round at the park.
All ages
Free
Spring Lake Retreat Center & Fahey Trailhead
Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 110808-01
• Sat, April 26, noon–4 p.m.
EQUIPMENT RENTAL
Rent paddleboards, canoes and kayaks at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
www.dakotacounty.us/parks, search equipment rental
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 knottying, baiting a hooking, casting and more. Plus, food trucks.
All ages
Free
North Picnic Shelter
Thompson County Park Activity Number: 110801-01
• Sun, June 8, noon–3 p.m.
MUSIC IN THE PARK
Head to Whitetail Woods for entertaining musical performances and tasty food trucks.
All ages
Free
Amphitheater
Whitetail Woods Regional Park Activity Number: 112601-01
• Tue, May 27, 5–7 p.m.
Activity Number: 112601-02
• Tue, June 24, 5–7 p.m. Activity Number: 112601-03
• Tue, July 29, 5–7 p.m. Activity Number: 112601-04
• Tue, Aug. 26, 5–7 p.m. Activity Number: 112601-05
• Tue, Sept. 30, 5–7 p.m.
SUMMER SOLSTICE PARTY Celebrate the summer with live music, yard games, food trucks and fun.
All ages
Free
North Picnic Shelter
Thompson County Park Activity Number: 110803-01
• Fri, June 20, 6–9:03 p.m.
RESERVATIONS
BIRTHDAYS, FIELD TRIPS AND MORE
Celebrate a birthday, take a school field trip or book a private program in Dakota County Parks.
www.dakotacounty.us/parks, search private program
Go Green
It can be hard to know which types of plastics can be recycled. The reality is that many plastic items cannot be recycled. This is why Dakota County adopted a standardized list of recyclable materials that all haulers accept in the county. The items on our list, including plastics, are accepted by all Twin Cities recycling facilities and recycled.
Avoid recycling items you are not sure about. If you put these plastic
items into your home recycling, they get recycled:
• Containers numbered 1, 2 or 5
• Soda, juice and water bottles
• Milk and juice jugs
• Margarine, cottage cheese, cream cheese and other tubs and lids
• Laundry detergent bottles and jugs
• Clear berry and produce containers Put recyclables loose in your home recycling. Containers, bottles and jars
In 2023, Dakota County residents and businesses recycled 9.7 million pounds of plastic.
should be empty and dry. It doesn’t need to be perfect — just free of liquids and most residue.
Recycled plastics are sorted, shredded and melted into pellets and then sold to companies to make into a range of products. A Minnesota-based company recycles jugs and detergent bottles into long-lasting decking, fence and landscaping materials. Plastics from beverage bottles and produce containers are recycled in the Midwest to create new bottles.
In 2023, Dakota County residents and businesses recycled 9.7 million pounds of plastic.
Special recycling
Some plastics are only recyclable through special recycling.
Stretchy film plastic like plastic bags, newspaper sleeves, bubble wrap and cereal box liners cannot go into your home recycling. They can get tangled in recycling equipment and cause harm to employees who need to dig them out. Drop off clean, dry plastic bags and wrap for special recycling at local retail stores like Cub Foods, Hy-Vee, Kohl’s, Walmart, Target and Lunds & Bylerly’s. Bags are recycled into plastic lumber for patios and decks.
KEEPING
IT CLEAN
New grant helps private well users
Dakota County is committed to providing easy access to safe drinking water for all residents.
We are using a $100,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Health to provide no-cost water testing and financial assistance to well users with water quality issues.
The grant is available for eligible landowners or renters using a private well as their primary drinking water source. Funding can be used to:
• Repair or replace wells contaminated with nitrate or bacteria
About 50 percent of private well users in Dakota County may have contaminants like nitrate, arsenic, lead or manganese. State dollars help address these quality concerns and make sure that everyone has clean and safe water to drink.
• Buy and install water treatment systems for contaminated wells
Dakota County works with a specialty recycler to offer farmers and garden centers a way to recycle agricultural film plastic such as silage bags, bunker covers and greenhouse film. More than 233,000 pounds of agricultural film plastic have been collected since 2015. Collected material is turned into food packaging, reusable bags, trash can liners and more.
We also offer seasonal collection of plastic wrap used to protect boats during winter storage. More than 53,000 pounds of plastic boat wrap have been collected since 2016. Collected boat wrap is recycled and made into new products such as construction-grade plastic film. This year's collection is April 1–June 30 at Lighthouse Motorsports and Marine in Rosemount.
The best way to stop waste is to not create it in the first place. For what can’t be reduced, make sure to recycle right.
For more information on what can be recycled in Dakota County, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search recycling guide.
Go Green Spring into action
Cities, schools do their part to reduce waste
Dakota County partners with cities and schools to offer ways to reduce waste and recycle right. This saves valuable resources and cuts down on disposal costs.
Reducing waste in cities
Dakota County issues grants to cities to provide recycling education, host special collections to recycle challenging materials and make recycling accessible in public spaces like buildings and parks.
In 2023, cities used grant money to host 68 special collections, keeping 510,000 pounds of recyclable and reusable materials out of the landfill. That included 92,000 pounds of shredded paper, 138,000 pounds of mattresses and 188,000 pounds of pumpkins. Residents were also able to swap 5,800 pounds of items like gardening tools, Halloween costumes, outdoor gear and puzzles.
City staff taught 6,113 residents about recycling and waste prevention at 58 events. They also mailed recycling and waste-reduction information and tips to safely dispose of household
Applicants must:
• Meet certain income criteria
• Have well water exceeding state guidelines for arsenic, manganese, nitrate, coliform bacteria or lead
Free water tests available
Free test kits are available for private well users who have not received a kit in the last five years or meet
high-risk criteria. That criteria include households with pregnant women, infants or children, individuals over age 65 and more. Kits are provided on a first-come, first-served basis while funding lasts.
To learn more and see if you are eligible, visit www.dakotacounty.us and search safe drinking water.
hazardous waste at The Recycling Zone to their residents, reaching 161,000 households.
Ditching disposables in schools
Dakota County provides grants to schools to prevent wasted food, reduce waste and educate students and staff about what to recycle.
In 2023, Dakota County helped six schools to replace single-use trays with durable stainless-steel trays in their cafeterias. Also, the program helped 16 schools switch to washable and reusable metal silverware instead of plastic utensils that were being thrown away after just one use. These initiatives kept nearly 300,000 single-use trays and more than 1.3 million disposable plastic utensils out of the landfill. This inspired 19 more schools to do the same on their own.
In total, nearly 10,000 students gained hands-on recycling education through performances and field trips to recycling, compost and landfill facilities.
Learn more, at www.dakotacounty.us and search reports
Dakota County private wells with contaminated water 50%
$100k State grant to address contaminated private wells
Road ways
Providing a safe and efficient county transportation system
Road ways
Road construction can be inconvenient, but a safe and efficient transportation system is part of what makes Dakota County a great place to live and work.
Maintaining, replacing and building new county roadways helps keep motorists, pedestrians and others safe. You might use them daily to get to work or school without even realizing they are county roads. Businesses rely on them to transport goods, and commuters use them to access transit.
Dakota County maintains 415 miles of county roads. They pass through neighborhoods. They serve as primary access routes in townships and other rural areas of the county. And, some function like highways in our growing suburbs.
The county manages and repairs existing county roads and plans for expanded roadways. Expanded roadways often serve new communities or business areas. To handle traffic and population growth, we enhance existing roads and build new segments.
Dakota County is the state's third-largest county, with nearly 450,000 people and continued growth.
Prioritizing projects
Like homeowners who plan future house projects, the county plans and schedules its own projects. These include road construction, building improvements, park upgrades and more.
We track these projects in our capital improvement program. The county’s current plan is for 2025-2029. Planning five years at a time helps to prioritize and
budget for projects. We want to take care of current roads, improve them when necessary and make the most of limited funding.
Each December, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners approves the annual county budget as well as the next year of spending in the capital improvement plan.
All road projects must align with the county’s 2040 Transportation Plan. That guiding document includes current road conditions, traffic volumes and projections, and more. It includes more than $1.6 billion in county road construction that’s needed over a 20-year period. We have six goals when planning transportation projects:
• Develop the best system for safety and efficient use with limited resources.
• Maintain existing roadways to reduce unnecessary or premature spending on replacement.
• Manage the system to increase efficiency, improve safety and get the most out of current roadways.
• Replace and modernize roads as they become obsolete.
• Develop and support transit services that meet the county’s transit needs.
• Expand roads after we’ve exhausted maintenance and replacement methods.
Dakota County repairs and maintains its transportation equipment.
Safety is the leading factor in how we rank and schedule our projects. We also record traffic volumes and track road conditions. That way, we know when to plan repairs or expansion.
In 2025, transportation projects make up nearly $80 million of the capital improvement plan. There is about $534 million proposed over the five-year plan. Our projects fall into different categories:
• Preservation, such as repaving roadways and trails.
• Safety and management, including traffic signals, safety improvements, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
• Replacement and modernization, like replacing roads and bridges.
• Transit, which could include partnering with other agencies on a transit project.
• Expansion, such as adding more lanes to an existing road or creating a new road.
Getting your input
While we monitor roads for repair or improvement, public input is important. Residents and motorists can help shape the design and construction. Planning, design and construction for a road project is generally a 3- to 4-year process.
We host a public meeting before we even start design. We want to hear about safety and access concerns from residents and businesses. We also want to know how a project could affect users.
If a project moves forward, we hold more public meetings to get feedback on design features. Depending on the project, we might get input on the number of lanes, ways to reduce vehicle speeds, whether a roundabout would help with traffic flow, the location of trails and more.
We use data from public meetings and other feedback
— phone calls, emails and survey responses — to strengthen the plan. Road projects are designed either by county engineering staff or contracted engineering firms — it depends on the project location and complexity. The county designs most rural road projects.
Projects often have a final public meeting before construction. We’ll discuss the schedule and provide any detour information or other details to prepare residents for construction.
Residents can learn about specific projects and get weekly updates during construction. Go to www.dakotacounty.us, search current construction. Select a project and look for “Get email updates” on the project webpage.
The county also gets public feedback through the Dakota County Residential Survey every three years. In the last survey in 2022, 75 percent of survey respondents rated the condition of county roads as good or excellent. That rating has generally increased steadily since 2008. We will get new ratings in the next Residential Survey this spring.
Public input is an important part of transportation planning.
Road ways
Bidding the work
Like many large county projects, we award road construction contracts in a competitive bid process. The county outlines the work that’s needed, posts the request for public review and seeks bids.
We collect bids and review them to make sure they meet project requirements. The county selects the lowest bid among qualified contractors, which is required by state law and a good process for taxpayers. The county board approves road construction contracts. Bid documents are public.
Selected project bids often are close to our estimate or less than the estimated project cost. Having good estimates helps as we budget for many projects. Lots of factors affect the cost of roadwork, including the scope, cost of materials and other economic factors.
Paying for projects
Many county road projects have partners, such as the state or cities. We make agreements with cities on how to pay for projects. The county often covers 85 percent of project costs while a partner city pays the remaining 15 percent. Sometimes, it’s a 75 percent and 25 percent split, or a different split depending on the project.
The county does not assess property owners along
a roadway to pay for construction, but sometimes cities do.
There are many factors that determine how the county funds its part of project costs. It can depend on the type of road, whether it’s new construction or an improvement, and details of the project.
The county has several sources of transportation funding. In Dakota County and across the state, transportation needs far exceed the money available to pay for them. Dakota County leaders advocate for fair funding at the state and federal level to meet local transportation needs.
A statewide gasoline tax and other fees are a large source of transportation funds to counties. A formula determines how much each county receives.
The county is responsible for much of the funding in our projects. It comes from a few main sources:
• A transportation sales and use tax in Dakota County and an excise tax of $20 on vehicle purchases.
• A wheelage tax of $10 on motor vehicle registration and tab renewals.
• A gravel tax on rock material produced through mining or imported into the county.
The county also receives transportation funding from a sales tax collected in the metro area. That tax funds regional transit, bike and pedestrian projects, and transportation projects in seven Twin Cities counties, including Dakota.
Dakota County also applies for federal and state grants on a competitive basis. No county property tax dollars are used for transportation projects.
The county can collect property tax dollars for railroad projects, such as a rail crossing improvements, through the county’s Regional Rail Authority. The county has
Dakota County produces traffic signs for its county roads.
funding for planned projects. It does not currently levy funds.
Another source for road project funding is state borrowing, also called bonding. We seek state bonding through the Legislature for road needs that lack funding. Projects that receive state bonding usually have matching local funds.
This year, the county is seeking state bonding for improvements at County Road 50 and Interstate 35 in Lakeville. That interchange needs safety, mobility and access improvements.
Since 2020, we have received nearly $9 million in state bonding and another $3.9 million in general state funds for six projects:
• Diffley Road in Eagan ($4 million)
• 117th Street in Inver Grove Heights ($5 million)
• Studies and design for state highway projects in Dakota County ($3.9 million)
Highway 55 in Hastings and Rosemount
Cedar Avenue in Apple Valley and Eagan
County Road 50 and I-35 in Lakeville
Highway 3 in Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount
Making repairs
Dakota County monitors the condition and safety of county roads, but commuters may notice issues first. If you have a concern about a county road, call Dakota County Transportation at 952-891-7000 or email hwy@co.dakota.mn.us.
Sometimes, the solution is an immediate fix — repairing a pothole, trimming trees or replacing a damaged road sign.
Other issues need study. When we hear about road concerns, we’ll look at the situation, review vehicle crash numbers, check other safety factors and then decide if a more involved improvement is needed.
Adding trails for safety
Installing trails along roadways makes getting around safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. We add paved trails along both sides of a new county road in urban and suburban areas. If there are space constraints, a trail might only be on one side of the road.
In rural areas, where there are fewer pedestrians and less traffic, we generally provide highway shoulders.
Dakota County also is building a system of greenways. These paved surfaces connect our communities through natural, preserved areas. We have 57 miles of greenways already. There is a plan for more than 200 miles total.
Greenways are part of our park system, but they are also used as transportation routes for commuters, students and others.
The county transportation system connects to city streets, township roads, state highways and freeways. We’ll continue providing a system that safely and efficiently best serves motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users.
Dakota County survey crews gather key information during a transportation project.
To find out more about the Dakota County transportation system, go to www.dakotacounty.us, search 2040 transportation plan.
Learn about road projects
You can learn more about a Dakota County road project by:
• Attending project meetings. The county hosts public meetings for each road project. Staff explain project details, answer questions and get feedback.
• Seeing plans online. Each county road construction project is on the county website. There is a summary, timeline, contact information and other project details. To see current or planned construction projects, visit www.dakotacounty.us, click Transportation.
• Signing up for updates. Each project webpage includes contact information for email updates on the project. You’ll get updates, often weekly, throughout the project.
• Contacting us. Call Dakota County Transportation at 952-891-7000 or email hwy@co.dakota.mn.us.
44 Dakota County roads
415 Miles of roadway
371 Miles of paved roads
44 Miles of gravel roads
1,034 Total lane miles of roadway
83 Bridges on county roads
136 Traffic signals
25k Traffic signs
228 Miles of trails and sidewalks
Paying for projects
Dakota County plans nearly $80 million in transportation improvements in 2025. Funding for those projects comes from many sources. There are no direct county property taxes used for road projects.
Keeping roads clear
For Dakota County Transportation, winter means road maintenance and snow and ice removal. Our plows hit the road in snowstorms and anytime it could get slippery. It takes our 31 snowplow operators about five hours to clear all 1,034 lane miles of county roads. They use 26 tandem plow trucks, three graders and two tractors to get the job done. The graders clear 80 lane miles of gravel county roads.
In a snowfall, our operators usually start around 2 a.m. and complete their route by 7 a.m. They pause during the morning commute and then drop their plow blades again around 9 a.m. to clear the roads a second time. They keep going until the snowfall ends and the roads are clear.
We had 19 snow or ice events during the 2023-2024 season.
Dakota County only plows county roads, not state highways, city streets or township roads. We also treat our
roads with salt, a liquid treatment or sand, depending on the pavement temperature.
Our plow operators are committed to doing a good job. They are full-time county employees who maintain and repair roads year-round.
We’re proud of our work. Residents seem to agree. In the county’s last Residential Survey, residents rated our snow removal as good — much higher than the national county average.
We’re dedicated to keeping county roads clear and your commute safer.
1,034 Total lane miles to plow
80 Lane miles on gravel roads
31 Snowplow operators and equipment
5 Hours to plow all county roads
Construction updates
Dakota County plans the following improvements during the 2025 construction season. Projects are estimated to be complete by November unless noted otherwise.
Apple Valley
Resurface Cedar Avenue from County Road 42 to 138th Street. Spring–July. Night work anticipated.
Resurface 150th Street (County Road 42) from 147th Street to Diamond Path (County Road 33) in Apple Valley. Pedestrian ramp and ADA improvements. Night work anticipated.
Burnsville
Replace traffic signals on County Road 42 at Southcross Drive.
Countywide
Resurfacing on various road segments around Dakota County.
Eagan
Resurface Lexington Avenue (County Road 43) from Cliff Road (County Road 32) to Wescott Drive. Lane reduction on Lexington Avenue from Diffley Road (County Road 30) to Wescott Drive. Traffic signal replacement at Lexington Avenue and Diffley Road. Trail and pedestrian crossing improvements.
Eagan
Reconstruct Lone Oak Road (County Road 26) from Highway 13 to Interstate 35E. Trail, pedestrian and drainage improvements. Traffic detoured.
Inver Grove Heights
Reconstruct 117th Street from County Road 71 to Highway 52. Traffic detoured.
Pedestrian crossing improvements along Concord Boulevard (County Road 56) and trail construction along 80th Street (County Road 28) from near Cahill Avenue to Concord Boulevard.
Lakeville
Roundabout reconstruction at 202nd Street (County Road 50) at Hamburg Avenue. Traffic detoured.
City-led expansion of 185th Street (County Road 60) to four-lane, divided roadway between Kenwood Trail (County Road 50) and Dodd Boulevard (County Road 9). Trail addition, pedestrian crossing and drainage improvements. Traffic detoured.
Douglas and Hampton townships
Township bridge replacement over Pine Creek on Inga Avenue north of Dakota/Goodhue county border. Traffic detoured. Summer–fall 2025.
Marshan Township
Township bridge replacement on 205th Street east of Highway 61 in Marshan Township. Traffic detoured. Summer–fall 2025.
Randolph Township
Reconstruct two lanes on 295th Street (County Road 88) from Highway 56 to Finch Court. Traffic detoured.
Vermillion Township
Bridge replacement over Vermillion River on Goodwin Avenue (County Road 85) north of 190th Street (County Road 62). Traffic detoured. Summer–winter 2025.
West St. Paul
Trail construction, pedestrian improvements and road resurfacing on Butler Avenue (County Road 4) from Robert Street to Highway 52.
Your Commissioners
Mike Slavik District 1
T: 651-438-4427
Joe Atkins District 2
T: 651-438-4430
Laurie Halverson District 3
T: 651-438-4429
William Droste District 4
T: 651-438-4428
Liz Workman District 5
T: 651-438-4431
Mary Liz Holberg District 6
T: 651-438-4243
Mary Hamann-Roland District 7
T: 651-438-4411
Front row:
Mary Liz Holberg
Mike Slavik (Chair)
Laurie Halverson
Back row:
Liz Workman
William Droste
Joe Atkins
Mary Hamann-Roland
