+ Music in the Park
+ Summer recycling + Career resources + Landscaping tips
Welcome to the summer 2025 Dakota County Plus. Combined with two Dakota County Newsletters and the winter Plus, we’re bringing you county news and information four times a year.
Come to the library for Summer
Discovery, a fun program for kids and teens that promotes reading and learning. Stop by any Dakota County Library to attend an event, check out materials and pick up your Summer Discovery activity log June 1—Aug. 31. Youth can complete their Summer Discovery activity log for a free book.
The On the Go van will visit local parks, community events and more this summer, bringing library services to your community. Residents can connect with staff, enjoy a performance, get creative at a mobile workshop or sign up for a library card.
Join us this summer for a series of free music events in a wide range of genres for a variety of ages.
To learn more, visit www.dakotacounty.us/library, click Events
Join us this summer for a series of free music events in a wide range of genres for a variety of ages.
Enjoy a longer outdoor concert series this year
We’ve expanded the popular Music in the Park series with two more events. The series, which typically runs June–August, now runs through September after beginning in May.
The events are held 5–7 p.m. the last Tuesday of each month at Whitetail Woods Regional Park. They are free to the public.
Concerts will be held at the park’s amphitheater near the Empire Lake Picnic Shelter on July 29, Aug. 26 and Sept. 30.
Food is available to buy at food trucks during the concerts.
Visit www.dakotacounty.us, search music, for musical lineups and more concert series information.
Music in the Park is among several free things to do this summer in Dakota County Parks, including:
Forever Wild Family Friday
Learn about exciting topics through hands-on activities,
games and nature walks. Bonfires and s’mores treats follow these all-ages programs.
• Yard Games: Friday, July 11, 6–7:30 p.m., Whitetail Woods Regional Park Empire Shelter.
• Nature Crafts: Friday, Aug. 1, 6–7:30 p.m., Lebanon Hills Visitor Center.
• Raptor Migration: Friday, Sept. 5, 6–7:30 p.m., Spring Lake Park Reserve Schaar’s Bluff Gathering Center.
The deadline for REAL ID is here. You can no longer use a standard driver’s license or ID card to board domestic flights or enter some federal buildings. Instead, you’ll need a REAL or enhanced ID or passport.
If you don’t have a REAL ID, you can still get one. For information on how to get started, go to www.dakotacounty.us, search driver’s license.
Summer is road construction season, and crews are busy improving roadways across Dakota County. Here are some projects underway:
Apple Valley
S Resurface Cedar Avenue from County Road 42 to 138th Street.
Burnsville
S Replace traffic signals on County Road 42 at Southcross Drive.
Eagan
S Resurface Lexington Avenue from Cliff Road to Wescott Drive.
S Reconstruct Lone Oak Road from Highway 13 to Interstate 35E.
Lakeville
S Roundabout construction at 202nd Street (County Road 50) and Hamburg Avenue.
S City-led expansion of 185th Street to four-lane, divided roadway between Kenwood Trail and Dodd Boulevard.
Townships
S Construct two lanes on 295th Street from Highway 56 to Finch Court in Randolph Township.
S Bridge replacement over Vermillion River on Goodwin Avenue north of 190th Street in Vermillion Township.
West St. Paul
S Resurface Butler Avenue from Robert Street to Highway 52.
For more information, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search construction.
Dakota County has many resources for people exploring the job market.
Knowledgeable staff at CareerForce
Career Labs help with:
• Up-to-date job listings
• Computer, internet, printer access
• Resume writing and career planning
• Community and education resources
• One-on-one individual assistance
Dakota-Scott CareerForce will hold hiring events on July 10 and July 24.
Visit www.dakotacounty.us and search careerforce to learn more.
Mark your calendars for summer fun as the Dakota County Fair returns Aug. 4–10 in Farmington.
Dakota County will feature our Veterans Services programs in the Government Building. Visit for interactive exhibits, activities for all ages and more.
Summer is an ideal season to get rid of old or unwanted lawnmowers and grills cluttering your garage, shed or deck. If you’re uncertain about what to do with these items, bring them to The Recycling Zone in Eagan.
Lawnmowers and grills consist of different parts, including metal, gas and oil, all of which should be disposed of responsibly. Drain any fluids from your mower into separate containers and detach propane tanks from your grill. Drop off all these items at The Recycling Zone for free. You can also recycle unwanted bicycles, metal patio furniture, metal fencing and snow blowers.
Drop-off hours for residents
Wednesday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Thursday: noon–8 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
The Recycling Zone is open to all residents of Dakota County. A full list of accepted items can be found at www.dakotacounty.us, search recycling zone.
The Recycling Zone is closed on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Recycle or donate your mattress at a discount this summer.
Certified Recycling is offering Dakota County residents a reduced price through September. Curbside pickup of mattresses and box springs is $60 for the first item and $40 for each additional item.
Items with blood, hazardous substances or a history of bed bugs
are not accepted.
Quality, gently used items are donated to Bridging to help those in need. All other items are recycled.
For more information, visit www.dakotacounty.us and search mattress recycling or schedule a pickup with Certified Recycling at 952-894-1448.
Dakota County residents can shop for reusable household products for free at The Reuse Zone, located inside The Recycling Zone in Eagan.
The Reuse Zone helps residents save money on items like paint, cleaners, automotive fluids and other household products. Items are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors should bring their own box or bag and only take what they will use, so there are products available for others.
The Reuse Zone restocks shelves throughout the day as residents bring in reusable products to The Recycling Zone. All products are inspected before they are put on the reuse shelf.
In the last year, residents reused 415,520 pounds of free products from The Reuse Zone.
The Reuse Zone is open during The Recycling Zone’s regular business hours:
Wednesday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Thursday: noon–8 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
The Reuse Zone is closed on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. www.dakotacounty.us, search recycling zone.
Dakota County residents can spruce up their landscaping — and protect water quality and provide pollinator habitat.
Start planning for 2026 with the Landscaping for Clean Water program, which includes free educational classes, garden design and maintenance courses, and more. Grants are available for Dakota County residents who install a raingarden, native garden
or shoreline planting. Classes are open to anyone.
Learn more by scanning the QR code:
Get tips to keep your grass green using less water this summer. Scan the QR code to learn more:
Mike Slavik District 1 651-438-4427
Joe Atkins District 2 651-438-4430
Laurie Halverson District 3 651-438-4429
William Droste District 4 651-438-4428
Liz Workman District 5 651-438-4431
Mary Liz Holberg District 6 651-438-4243
Mary Hamann-Roland District 7 651-438-4411 Water wiser
Email: board@co.dakota.mn.us Web: www.dakotacounty.us
