Dakota County Plus - Summer 2025

PLUS

INSIDE: + 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.

Summer for all at the library On the Go van 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.

Summer Discovery 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.

ENJOY LIVE MUSIC FOR

FREE

SUMMER S E R I E S

20 25

Summer Music Series

Join us this

Join us this summer for a seriessummer for a series of of free music events in a wide range free music events in a of genres for a variety of ages. wide range of genres

To learn more, visit for a variety www.dakotacounty.us/library, of ages. click Events.

More Music in the Park 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.

Get REAL ID ready 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.

Make way for road repairs 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.

Explore career options Dakota County has many resources for people exploring the job market.

•Community and education resources •One-on-one individual assistance

Knowledgeable staff at CareerForce Career Labs help with: •Up-to-date job listings •Computer, internet, printer access •Resume writing and career planning

Dakota-Scott CareerForce will hold hiring events on July 10 and July 24.

Visit www.dakotacounty.us and search careerforce to learn more.

See you at the fair 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.

SALUTE TO

SERVICE

It’s time to get rid of summer clutter 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.

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.

PMS 144

PMS 432

The

Drop-off hours for residents The

Wednesday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.

Thursday: noon–8 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Saturday: The 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

The Recycling Zone is closed on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas The Eve and Christmas Day.

Recycle mattresses 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.

Pick up items at The Reuse Zone 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.

Get free landscaping tips 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:

Water wiser Get tips to keep your grass green using less water this summer. Scan the QR code to learn more:

Dakota County Board 651-438-4427

Liz Workman District 5 651-438-4431

651-438-4430

Mary Liz Holberg District 6 651-438-4243

Laurie Halverson District 3 651-438-4429

Mary Hamann-Roland District 7 651-438-4411

Mike Slavik District 1 Joe Atkins District 2

William Droste District 4 651-438-4428

Email: board@co.dakota.mn.us Web: www.dakotacounty.us