Dakota County Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2018

county newsletter

IN BRIEF

On the job hunt Page 3

OUR WORK

Getting SMART Page 7

PARKS

Programs & events Page 15

Fall/Winter 2018

ALWAYS LOOKING AHEAD Prudent planning helps prepare for a changing Dakota County Page 26

From parks to public safety to public health and more, Dakota County provides many important functions and services to help make Dakota County one of the best places to live in the country. The Dakota County Board of Commissioners works to ensure these services are provided in an efficient and impactful way.

In this newsletter, we look at several new services that contribute to our high quality of life today while helping prepare Dakota County for the demands of tomorrow.

Contents Feature Page 26

ALWAYS LOOKING AHEAD Dakota County may grow by as much as 25 percent over the next two decades, and we’re planning that far out to continue making the county a great place to live and work. Find out how we’re preparing our parks, libraries and other amenities and services to meet your expectations for years to come.

D E PA R T M E N T S

Page 3

Page 7

Page 11

Page 15

Page 23

IN BRIEF

OUR WORK

COMMUNITY

PARKS

GO GREEN

Our workforce centers are making it easier for residents with years of experience and young adults trying to plan their future find a career they love.

Equipping first responders with the necessary tools to keep people safe and get help for those who need it is what the new SMART Center is all about.

An increase in drug abuse is costing Dakota County in violence, crime, child abuse and neglect.

That’s why we’re deploying a multi-pronged approach to fight it.

The disappearance of pollinators would devastate our food system and severely damage our natural spaces, so we’re doing all we can to cut down on use of harmful chemicals.

Protecting our water supply from pollutants is one of the most important things we can do, so we’re working to clean our lakes and cutting our salt use.

F O L LOW U S

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3 WORKFORCE SERVICES 5 E-POLL BOOKS 6 DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT

PROFILE OPTIONS EDUCATION

JOB SUGGESTIONS

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NOT ME

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On the job hunt Workforce services help you find a career

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A healthy economy needs a strong business community and skilled workers. Dakota County is fortunate to have both — and a low unemployment rate. But even in a strong economy, there are businesses trying to fill positions and people looking for a job that’s just the right fit.

fall/winter 2018 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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In Brief | Workforce services Maybe you’ve experienced the challenge of finding the right career or a new job. In Dakota and Scott counties, we’re making that process easier for residents who have years of work experience under their belt and for young adults trying to plan their future.

residents of Dakota or Scott counties and accessible on any mobile device, tablet or desktop computer.

Traitify is easy to use. You just sort through a short series of images representing personality descriptions, answering “Me” or “Not Me” to each one, to generate your individualized results. The whole process only takes about 90 seconds. When finished, you receive a list of careers with traits that align with your personality.

We’re now offering Traitify, a new service that can make your search more productive by helping you discover a career path that matches your personality. The visual assessment tool recommends careers, jobs and education based on personality and preference data.

This web-based assessment is free to

The results can tell you about the types of work environments where you thrive. You’ll also learn about your work-related strengths and weaknesses. And, you can get information about education requirements and salary expectations for certain jobs.

More than 1,000 of you have already taken advantage of the Traitify service. Explore it by going to www.dakotacounty.us and searching Traitify.

The WorkForce Center is a resource for job-seeking residents in other ways. In coordination with Scott County, our workforce centers in West St. Paul, Burnsville and Shakopee regularly host job fairs. You can learn more about careers that might interest you. Some of the events even have

Regardless of where you’re at in your career, we have resources available…

4 | www.dakotacounty.us | fall/winter 2018

In Brief | E-poll books themes, such as health care jobs.

Job fair schedules vary by workforce center. They’re often held over the lunch hour, making it easier for more people to participate. When you attend, you should come dressed as if it were an interview and bring your résumé.

If you’re planning a job search, you might want to sign up for free workforce classes and workshops.

Our instructors teach everything from résumé writing to job search skills, interview know-how to computer basics. Classes are scheduled for mornings and afternoons.

We offer assistance for young adults, too. Our Career Success program helps young adults ages 14–18 who face barriers on their way toward high school graduation. We partner with local businesses and organizations to expose these kids to job opportunities, whether it’s in large-equipment work, cooking, outdoor recreation or other areas.

This voluntary program aims to develop their skills, so they can be better prepared to enter the workforce.

Regardless of where you’re at in your career, we have resources available, so you can develop skills to succeed in your work, fill vacant jobs in our community and contribute toward a strong local economy.

For more information, go to www.dakotacounty.us, search job search.

Voting made easier E-poll books coming in November Dakota County strives to make your voting experience more convenient. In 2018, we’re introducing electronic poll books at all voting precincts during the November general election. The new technology will allow election officials to quickly check in voters.

electronically, and voters will sign their name on a touch screen.

Once signed, voters will receive a receipt to give to an election judge in exchange for a ballot.

Replacing books and books of printed voter information at each precinct will be e-poll books that resemble an iPad. Each poll book contains all of the voter information for the precinct.

Minnesota has tested e-poll books since 2008, and Dakota County piloted the technology in Burnsville in 2014. The e-poll books were used in the August primary election, and they will be used in the November general election.

What this means for voters is they will no longer need to find and wait in the line that includes their last name. They can go to any line that is open. Instead of an election official flipping through numerous pages and the voter signing a paper copy of the poll book, the official can look up voter information

The technology cost about $660,000.

Dakota County received about $260,000 in grant funds from the state. The County contributed roughly $200,000 and the cities in the county combined to fund about $200,000.

Election results Follow us on social media for up-to-the-minute election results. Dakota County also posts election results on the County website (www.dakotacounty.us, search election results). These results will only include votes cast within the county.

For full results of state and federal races, go to the Minnesota Secretary of State website at www.sos.state.mn.us.

fall/winter 2018 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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In Brief | Dates for your calendar

Plan on it

Know what to do this fall and winter Monthly

September–October

Get adult and children immunizations at the Northern and Western service centers. www.dakotacounty.us, search immunization clinics.

Learn about GoDakota Travel Training and how to use county transportation options. www.dakotacounty.us, search GoDakota.

• Sept. 17, 3–4 p.m., Robert Trail Library

September

• Sept. 18, 2–3 p.m., Burnhaven Library

Immunization Clinics

HHW Drop-off Safely dispose of chemicals and electronics and shred confidential papers. www.dakotacounty.us, search one-day collection.

• Sept. 8, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Farmington Maintenance Facility 19650 Municipal Dr. • Sept. 29, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Burnsville Maintenance Facility 13713 Frontier Ct.

Sept. 10

Aging in Place Learn about long-term care planning and find resources to help seniors stay in their homes from 1–2 p.m. at the Farmington Library. www.dakotacounty.us/library, click programs.

September–December Fix-It Clinics

Get free help fixing household items each month. www.dakotacounty.us, search Fix-It Clinics.

• Sept. 16, noon–3 p.m.

Westcott Library • Oct. 20, noon–3 p.m.

Central Square Community Center South St. Paul

Sept. 17–Nov. 5

Matter of Balance Class Reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels for older adults on Mondays, 10 a.m.–noon at Thompson Park Activity Center. www.dakotacounty.us, search preventing falls.

Transportation Forum

Sept. 28

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

Oct. 11–Nov. 8

Master Recycler/ Composter Class Get in-depth knowledge and learn to inspire others to recycle and compost on Thursdays, 6:30–9 p.m. at Inver Grove Heights Middle School. www.dakotacounty.us, search master recycler.

Be ready

for winter driving

When it snows, we make sure county roads are cleared shoulderto-shoulder, so you can get where you need to go. Our 25 snowplows and three graders typically get the job done in under five hours. Here are five things you can do to be safe when traveling on winter roads:

Give snowplows room to work

It’s difficult for snowplow drivers to see your vehicle. If you can’t see the mirrors, the operator can’t see you. Also, avoid driving next to snowplows, turning in front of snowplows, or driving into snow clouds produced by the plows.

Slow down

Speed limits are set for ideal driving conditions. When road conditions are less than ideal, slow down.

Oct. 18

Keep your vehicle maintained

Learn the basics of Python, JavaScript, HTML or block coding from 3–4 p.m. at Wentworth Library. Ages: 11–17.

Registration required. www.dakotacounty.us/library, click programs.

Plan for emergencies

Hour of Code

Nov. 14

Septic/Private Well Homeowner Class Learn how septic systems function, how to protect well water and maintain septic and drinking water systems at 6 p.m. at the Extension and Conservation Center. www.dakotacounty.us, search septic systems.

6 | www.dakotacounty.us | fall/winter 2018

Make sure your antifreeze, battery, breaks, exhaust and lights are working properly and maintain at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle.

Carry booster cables, road flares, a shovel, blankets, boots, mittens, a hat, a windshield scraper, two ropes and a winter survival kit in your vehicle in winter.

Know the road

Before heading out, call 511 or visit www.511mn.org to learn current road conditions.

7 GETTING SMART 9 NEW TRANSIT SERVICE 10 A VITAL APP

DE-ESCALATION TRAINED I’m here to help.

I understand.

You’re in a safe place.

Let’s talk about it.

Getting SMART New public safety training center to focus on crisis response

Our communities are safer when first responders have all the tools they need to handle emergencies and resolve dangerous situations.

Their work is getting tougher because a growing number of calls involve people suffering mental health crises that require different approaches.

fall/winter 2018 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Our Work | Getting SMART Providing more tools to first responders can keep people safe and get help for those who need it.

One of those tools is crisis intervention training, which teaches skills to de-escalate incidents involving people suffering from a mental or physical condition that might leave them unable to communicate with others, or posing a danger to themselves or others.

Traditional public safety training is still important, but there are other ways to effectively resolve crisis situations.

Law enforcement officers are required to complete crisis intervention training, but the leading organization that provides the training doesn’t have a permanent home. Instead, it travels around the state to conduct training, but that limits the type of exercises that can be taught.

As a solution, Dakota County is planning to build the Safety and Mental Health Alternative Response Training (SMART) Center. This public safety center will host crisis intervention training for sheriff’s deputies, police officers and other first responders from across the Twin Cities and parts of greater Minnesota.

The organization that provides crisis response training will also lease space in the SMART Center.

With the crisis response training they’ll get at the SMART Center, our first responders will be better equipped to keep our communities safe.

The Dakota County Board of Commissioners fully supports the SMART Center and has a financially responsible plan to pay its share without increasing property taxes.

The Board already set aside $6.6 million in County dollars. Since

Safety Professionals Leading the Way

CENTER Safety & Mental Health Alternative Response Training

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the SMART Center will serve first responders from around the state, we asked the Minnesota Legislature to put state money toward the project.

With bipartisan support from Dakota County legislators, lawmakers agreed the SMART Center is a good idea, and they contributed $6.2 million in state funds for the $12.8 million SMART Center earlier this year.

The SMART Center won’t just be for crisis response training. It will be home to other public safety partners, including our Electronic Crimes Unit and the Drug Task Force.

Additional space is needed for the Electronic Crimes Unit to handle more cases from within the county and requests for investigative help from agencies outside the county.

The Dakota County Criminal Justice Network, which makes it easier for law enforcement agencies to share information with one another, will have space in the SMART Center.

Some of the Dakota County Sheriff's Office water rescue equipment will also be stored there, so it’s close to

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Our Work | New transit service 35E rivers and lakes in northern areas of the county.

We’re not taking on the SMART Center project alone. We have many supporters and partners. Wellrespected mental health advocates want to see a home for this important training, and law enforcement organizations from within the county and elsewhere support our plan.

The County is considering a site in Inver Grove Heights for the SMART Center near the intersection of 35W highways 52 and 55 and Concord Boulevard. Now that we have construction funding, we’re focused on finding the right site and finalizing detailed designs for the center. We plan to finish construction in 2020.

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A first step in east-west transit service 56

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ROSEMOUNT Transit Station

Mental illness affects many in our community, and some residents need 31 help from public safety workers. With the crisis response training they’ll 9 get at the SMART Center, our first Beginning fall 2018, residents will have 23to travel between responders will be better equipped a new choice in how 35 Apple Valley and the Dakota County to keep our communities safe.

Technical College (DCTC). A new bus route, operated by the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) will begin at the Apple Valley Transit Station and make a stop at the Rosemount Transit Station before making its way to the DCTC. The service will run year-round and provide five round-trips each weekday — two in the morning, one mid-day, and two in the afternoon.

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fund the remaining 20 percent. The MVTA will also purchase and refurbish a used bus for the route. Dakota 66 costs for the County’s annual operating service are estimated to be $165,000.

This new service is the first step in addressing a lack of transportation access going east to west across the county.

The new service comes as a result of our 2017 East-West Transit Study, which identified various areas across the County where additional transit service is needed.

Other potential areas for transit improvement identified by the EastWest Transit Study include Cliff Road between Eagan and Burnsville, a connection between the Red Line in Apple Valley and future Orange Line stations in Burnsville and an extension of Yankee Doodle Road into Inver Grove Heights.

Over the next two years, Dakota County will fund 80 percent of the costs to operate the service, and the MVTA will

To learn more about the East-West Transit Study, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search East-West Corridor.

fall/winter 2018 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Our Work | A vital app

Improving a vital connection New app helps first responders interact with vulnerable residents So many cellphone apps are time wasters, but we want you to know about one that’s a potential lifesaver.

including the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office and most police departments in the county.

We’re partnering with Vitals Aware Services, which operates an app that helps law enforcement interact with vulnerable residents in Dakota County and other communities. The app lets first responders know if the person they encounter has a condition that could make communicating or understanding more difficult. Conditions could include mental illness, autism or dementia, among other health challenges.

Once you’ve enrolled in Vitals, you receive a beacon to keep with you; it can be a keychain, bracelet, necklace or a wallet-sized card. When law enforcement officers are within 80 feet of you, they are alerted and provided information about your condition through the Vitals cellphone app.

Having this immediate information in their hands at the scene helps sheriff’s deputies and police officers respond appropriately for the situation.

Here’s how the Vitals app works.

First, it’s voluntary. When enrolling in Vitals, you include information about your condition, explain how an officer can best approach you and provide emergency contact numbers. That information is shared only with first responders participating in Vitals,

The Vitals service is not limited to Dakota County. Participating first responders across the state receive alerts when they encounter anyone who is enrolled in Vitals, regardless of where they live.

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There is no cost for residents to enroll in the base-level Vitals service, which includes one beacon and one replacement of that beacon per year.

There is a cost for the premium service that includes three beacons and free replacement. Some residents may qualify for help funding the premium service if they are eligible for county assistance.

The Vitals service helps Dakota County first responders know how to help more effectively in emergency situations, gives residents and their families peace of mind, and it could save lives.

To learn more or enroll, go to www.dakotacounty.us, search Vitals Aware Services.

11 SUBSTANCE ABUSE 13 SENSORY FRIENDLY 14 A NEW GALAXIE

S|M|T|W|T|F|S

The cost of substance abuse

The number of Dakota County cases charged as either felonies or gross misdemeanors is up nearly 25 percent compared to what it was a decade ago.

Driving that uptick is drugs.

A multi-pronged approach to root out drug abuse

fall/winter 2018 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Community | Substance abuse

More than 40 percent of felony and gross misdemeanor cases in Dakota County are drug cases. In 2008, that number was only 24 percent.

Every day in America, 2,500 kids between the ages of 12–17 make the choice to start abusing prescription pain relievers. Most get the drugs from a friend or relative. Many start using the drugs under the false premise that prescription drugs provide a medically safe high.

ADDICTION

For both adults and children, prescription pain medications can provide a dangerous stepping stone to further drug use. Vicodin, OxyContin and OxyCodone are the three most common opioid pain medications.

children, despite their high potency and potential for overdose and hospitalization.

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When access to those medications runs out, abusers often seek out heroin, an opioid that is cheaper and easier to access than opiate-based prescription medications. In fact, nearly 75 percent of heroin users started with an addiction to an opioid pain medication.

The constant search for the next high pushes some to branch out into other illegal street drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine or marijuana.

Drug trafficking organizations are primarily responsible for the sale and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and commercialgrade marijuana in the Dakota County area. Once they get the drugs here, they sell them to regional drug traffickers, who in turn sell them to independent gangs and drug traffickers, before putting them on the consumer market.

Additionally, more and more marijuana supply is coming into Dakota County via mail and private delivery services from states that have legalized the drug’s use. Similarly, candy-like edibles containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the active ingredient in marijuana) are coming from the same places. These edibles are becoming increasingly popular with both adults and

12 | www.dakotacounty.us | fall/winter 2018

The increase in drug abuse is costing our community in big ways. Violence, crime, child abuse and neglect are just a few of the outcomes we see all too often. Not to mention the dangers abuse poses to users’ health, including the risk of death.

The toll drug abuse is taking on Dakota County is unacceptable.

That’s why we’re deploying a multipronged approach to fight it.

Opioid pain medications have been fraudulently and aggressively marketed by the companies that make them. This has led to significant addiction problems, which have harmed our residents, filled our jail and strained our public health resources. We believe those companies should be held accountable for the damage they’ve caused so, in August 2018, Dakota County filed a civil lawsuit against those pharmaceutical companies and their distributors.

ASSAU

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Drug abuse is a crime, but it’s also an illness, and we’re committed to helping drug abusers get the help they need to return to a life that is drug and crime free. For nonviolent repeat drug offenders, we offer Adult Drug Court.

Community | Sensory friendly The court is voluntary to individuals who qualify and helps drug users get the treatment needed to overcome addiction, while avoiding a lengthy stay behind bars. Since its inception in 2008, 86 people have successfully completed the program — a success rate of nearly 70 percent.

It makes sense

Programming for kids with ASD

ABUSE We also offer a Family Dependency Treatment Court, which focuses on helping parents get and stay clean, so they can be reunited with their children in a sober, safe and stable living environment.

Additionally, our Juvenile Drug Court helps high-risk youth get the help they need to address their chemicaldependencies and reduce their risk of future delinquent offenses.

Lastly, we’re focused on stopping drug abuse before it starts. We offer 11 prescription drop-off locations where unused medications can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way, while also keeping them out of the hands of addicts.

And we’re fully invested in educating our residents on the dangers of drug use through public awareness campaigns. For more information, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search attorney presentation.

For more information on our prescription drug drop-off locations, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search drug drop-off.

This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified 1 in 48 children in the Twin Cities metro area as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD). That’s higher than the 1 in 59 children diagnosed across the U.S. and up from the 1 in 68 nationwide just four years ago.

Symptoms of ASD can vary from person to person. Signs include difficulty with social interactions and relationships, challenges with verbal or non-verbal communication, and narrow interests in activities or play.

Many kids also have sensitivities to light, sound and other sensory inputs that make participating in typical activities challenging.

Sensory-friendly programs offered through Dakota County Library and Parks create an inclusive and predictable setting using a range of tools that optimize learning potential.

Instructors use visual displays and clear instructions to explain what kids can expect as part of the program. Separate quiet spaces and fidget toys are offered, and lighting and sound levels are adjusted to help create a calming atmosphere.

Sensory-friendly Saturdays at the Library are geared to help kids ages 3–8 explore books, music, movement and play.

The increased prevalence and limited number of effective learning opportunities for kids with ASD prompted us to look for ways to provide welcoming learning environments for these and other kids who may have difficulty in large groups or are sensitive to sensory overload.

The Parks’ Sensory-friendly Sundays use books and low-key activities to educate kids ages 5–10 about what’s happening outside all seasons of the year.

Learn more at www.dakotacounty.us, search sensory-friendly.

fall/winter 2018 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Community | A new Galaxie

Galaxie renovation The wait is nearly over for fans of the Galaxie Library Since early February, the Apple Valley location was closed for renovation, but will open on Monday, Sept. 24.

This remodel is the first at Galaxie Library since the building opened 28 years ago.

The renovated library includes an iLAB, new meeting and study spaces,

a relocated children’s collection, automated materials handling equipment (which can be viewed through a large window), a relocated book drop, and much more.

Construction will continue at Galaxie for the coming weeks as we complete the new large meeting room area.

More to come The Dakota County Library is just getting started updating facilities.

The Heritage Library in Lakeville and Pleasant Hill Library in Hastings will undergo remodeling in the coming months.

Pleasant Hill will be expanded by about 1,500 square feet. This will allow for a new iLAB and increase the size of the community meeting room. Other improvements include the addition of a family restroom, a more efficient staff workroom, an automated materials handling system, and a 10-person conference room.

Experience the Library like never before — a space for innovation,

technology, business, fun, learning and community.

Today, the Library is proud to serve the makers, doers, readers, learners, entrepreneurs, innovators and dreamers who are ready to grow, open new doors and exceed expectations.

From business to books, browsers and beyond — we are here to inspire and support.

www.dakotacounty.us/library

Construction on Pleasant Hill is scheduled to begin later this fall with completion in spring 2019.

The Heritage Library will grow by about 2,900 square feet. The space will be used for a new iLAB and increase the size of the community meeting room.

Other improvements include a more efficient staff workroom, quiet reading room and restroom improvements.

Also, the license center in the library will expand by 1,100 square feet.

The project will start construction later this fall and be completed in summer 2019.

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Take a step forward.

Explore the possibilities.

Your Parks PROGRAMS & EVENTS • FALL & WINTER 2018

Protecting pollinators PLUS:

Cross-country Ski Lessons Full Moon Snowshoe Trails by Candlelight

FOLLOW US

www.dakotacounty.us/parks

fall/winter 2018 | www.dakotacounty.us |

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Dakota County Parks — Protecting pollinators In a world without pollinators, apples, oranges, berries and many vegetables wouldn’t be found on a trip to the grocery store. No sign of chocolate either.

Thousands of species play the part of pollinators, including various birds, bees, butterflies and even bats. What they all share is the ability to transfer pollen from one plant to another, igniting the plant’s reproductive process and boosting genetic diversity.

75–95% of flowering plants need assistance with pollination

Pollinator decline has been attributed to a range of factors, including pesticide use, parasites, disease, land management practices, a lack of crop diversity and an increasingly flowerless landscape.

POLLINATOR FRIENDLY

Dakota County Parks is leading the way in these efforts, but they’re also teaming up with other County departments to effect even broader pollinator protection. For example, our transportation department modified its maintenance practices to provide a more pollinator-friendly habitat by planting native grasses and flowers where appropriate. Native plants typically offer nectar and pollen in higher quality and quantity than nonnative species. In time, these areas won’t need to be mowed as frequently and they‘ll bloom into native prairies that pollinators love.

Minnesota hosts more than 400 native species of bees — among a long list of other pollinators. We want those species to thrive in Dakota County.

That’s why we’ve committed ourselves to practices that help them do just that. Last December, the Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution to protect and promote our pollinators.

Recent research indicates a strong link between insecticides that contain neonicotinoids and impacts on pollinator species. We’re doing all we can to cut down on exposure to these chemicals. That means avoiding the use of insecticides that contain

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DecliningA pollinator populations are a very real threat. Over the past several years, researchers have documented their steady drop. Since the mid-1990s, monarch butterflies alone have seen an 80-percent decrease in population.

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Their efforts prop up our food system and help our natural spaces thrive.

Somewhere between 75 and 95 percent of flowering plants need assistance with pollination.

neonicotinoids and using reasonable alternatives wherever possible.

We’re also taking steps to enhance the Dakota County habitat for native pollinators by adding pollinator-friendly plants to our spaces.

Their disappearance would devastate communities across the globe.

Additionally, invasive species can crowd out plants like native wildflowers, which provide needed pollinator habitat. Our transportation department has a certified team to spot these noxious weeds. They then carefully spot spray the noxious weeds to avoid damaging valuable pollinator habitat.

New gateway to outdoor fun

Pine Bend Trailhead provides more access to river, scenic area

We’re in the process of restoring more than a thousand roadside acres into pollinator-friendly habitat. We’re using native seeds and plantings in infiltration areas, wetland areas and storm water facilities and planting native seed mixes along our rural roads.

These cumulative efforts will help make Dakota County the kind of community where pollinators can thrive.

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You, too, can play a part in making that happen. Along with our partners, the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization, we offer an array of workshops, events, and pollinatorfriendly programs that you can join.

We know you love to spend time outdoors, so we’ve created another way for you to access trails, natural areas and views of the scenic Mississippi River.

In March 2018, Dakota County opened the Pine Bend Trailhead along the paved Mississippi River Trail in Inver Grove Heights. You can use the trailhead to get on the trail and enjoy in-line skating or year-round biking, walking and hiking.

We’re continuing to develop the Mississippi River Trail south of the trailhead. A 2-mile extension will eventually lead into Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve in Rosemount, where the existing trail resumes through the park reserve and continues east to the Hastings riverfront.

When complete, the Mississippi River Trail will span 27 miles from St. Paul to Hastings.

The trailhead has parking, restrooms, drinking water, a bike fix-it station and interpretive signs with information about nature and wildlife in the area. Bring a snack for a break at the trailhead’s picnic benches, enjoy the shaded rest area or walk a short distance to a spectacular river overlook.

While at the trailhead, take a few moments to explore the adjacent Pine Bend Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area. The scenic natural area includes a restored prairie, wildflowers, great birding and wildlife watching and photography opportunities, and unpaved trail access to the river.

The Mississippi River Trail runs north from the trailhead toward South St. Paul, where it connects with the River to River Greenway. The greenway extends west from the Mississippi River to Big Rivers Regional Trail and the Minnesota River.

Find the Pine Bend Trailhead at 111th Street and Courthouse Boulevard in Inver Grove Heights.

fall/winter 2018 | www.dakotacounty.us |

17

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

www.dakotacounty.us/parks Click Programs & Events

River to River Greenway Thompson County Park LILYDALE

BigRivers RiversRegional RegionalTrail Trail Big

MENDOTA

WEST ST PAUL

156 SOUTH ST PAUL

35E MENDOTA SUNFISH HEIGHTS LAKE

Big RiversRiver Regional Trail Minnesota Greenway

494

13

52

3

Spring Lake Park Reserve

56

EAGAN INVER GROVE HEIGHTS

31 43

77

Mississippi River Regional Trail

494

32

55

BURNSVILLE

35E

35W

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

71

38 ROSEMOUNT

APPLE VALLEY

33

52

42

55

NININGER TWP

COATES

46

HASTINGS

85

31

54

47

Dakota Woods Dog Park

9

MARSHAN 316 RAVENNA TWP TWP

62

EMPIRE TWP

23 FARMINGTON

35

42

42

VERMILLION

66 LAKEVILLE

61

VERMILLION TWP

91

Miesville Ravine Park Reserve

50 HAMPTON

Whitetail Woods Regional Park

EUREKA TWP

3

NEW TRIER

HAMPTON TWP

DOUGLAS TWP

50

61

MIESVILLE

20

80

52

56

85

CASTLE ROCK TWP

86

GREENVALE TWP

19

Archery Biking Boating Camper cabin Camping Canoeing/Kayaking

WATERFORD TWP

NORTHFIELD

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

RANDOLPH TWP RANDOLPH

88

47 SCIOTA TWP

Lake Byllesby Regional Park

19

Geocaching Hiking Horseback riding Horseshoes Ice skating In-line skating

Kicksledding Mountain biking Nature play Paddleboarding Picnicking Play area

Recreational bonfire Ski skating Sledding Snowshoeing Swimming

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

Oh Deer!

YOUTH KNEE-HIGH NATURALISTS

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

Ages: 3–6 Fee: $8/youth

Bat Life

Explore the world of bats, learn how they fly, and make a bat puppet to take home.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 212001-01 • Thu, Oct. 11; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-02 • Sat, Oct. 20; 10–11:30 am

Pine cones

Learn about pine cones and the conifer trees where they grow. Create a pine cone bird feeder to take home.

Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 212001-03 • Thu, Nov. 15; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-04 • Sat, Nov. 17; 10–11:30 am

Animal Homes

Discover the amazing ways animals build shelters and the habitats they call home, and take a walk to find animal shelters.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 212001-05 • Thu, Dec.13; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-06 • Sat, Dec. 15; 10–11:30 am

Whooo's There?

Explore the world of owls. Look at owl biofacts, learn about owl sight and head outside to look for signs of owls.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 212001-07 • Thu, Jan. 10; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-08 • Sat, Jan. 12; 10–11:30 am

Animal Signs

Discover the many hidden signs animals leave behind and make your own animal track to take home.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 212001-09 • Thu, Feb. 7; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-10 • Sat, Feb. 23; 10–11:30 am

Learn about deer through hands-on exploration of deer biofacts and park exploration, and create your own deer to take home.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 212001-11 • Thu, March 14; 10–11:30 am Activity Number: 212001-12 • Thu, March 16; 10–11:30 am

HOMESCHOOL LAB

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

Ages: 6–12 Fee: $8/youth

Science of Leaves

SCOUT BADGES

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

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

Daisy Girl Scouts — Rosie Petals

Learn about ways to make our world a better place and how you can help the planet by being green while earning your petal.

Ages: 5–6 Activity Number: 212301-01 • Tue, Oct. 2; 5:30–7:30 pm

Tiger Cub Scouts — Tigers in the Wild

Why do leaves turn colors in the fall? Explore the science of how trees adapt to survive winter.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211501-01 • Wed, Oct. 3; 1–3 pm

Learn what you need to prepare for a hike and hike with a naturalist to explore the trees, plants and animals on the trail. Finish with a campfire.

Ages: 6–7 Activity Number: 212305-01 • Tue, Oct. 9; 5:30–7:30 pm

Biology of Deer

Brownie Girl Scouts — Hiker Badge

Learn about the whitetail deer's life cycle, adaptations and role in the ecosystem.

Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211501-02 • Wed, Nov. 7; 1–3 pm

Learn what to bring on a hike, how to read a map, and take a hike with a naturalist while earning your badge.

Ages: 6–9 Activity Number: 212302-01 • Sat, March 2; 10 am–noon

Biology of Woodpeckers

Study Minnesota's woodpecker species, their life cycles, habitats and adaptations.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211501-03 • Wed, Dec. 5; 1–3 pm

Bear Cub Scouts — Fur, Feathers, and Ferns

Take a hike to learn about endangered species and examine plants while completing your adventure.

Ages: 8–9 Activity Number: 212307-01 • Sat, March 2; 2–4 pm

Webelos — Geologist Badge

Earn your Geologist Badge while learning how rocks form, taking a walk through time, and learning about minerals.

Ages: 9–11 Activity Number: 212308-01 • Sat, March 9; 2–4 pm

Junior Girl Scouts — Geocacher Badge

Learn how to use a GPS unit and find geocaches in the park while earning your Geocacher Badge.

Ages: 9–11 Activity Number: 212303-01 • Sat, March 16; 2–4 pm

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

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $15/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210601-01 • Sat, Jan. 26; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 210601-02 • Fri, Feb. 8; 10 am–noon

Winter Survival

Practice the ins and outs of surviving the coldest part of the year in the wild.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211501-04 • Wed, Jan. 9; 1–3 pm

Cross-Country Skiing

Learn the basics of classic crosscountry skiing and hit the trails to practice your skills.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211501-05 • Wed, Feb. 6; 1–3 pm

Biology of Weasels

Minks, badgers and otters, oh my! Enter the fascinating world of weasels, and learn about their amazing adaptations and survival strategies.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211501-06 • Wed, March 6; 1–3 pm

BE A PARK VOLUNTEER Help with buckthorn removal, special events and ski patrol. www.dakotacounty.us, search volunteer.

PROGRAMS & EVENTS FAMILY FOREVER WILD FAMILY FRIDAY

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

Ages: All ages Fee: Free

Twilight Hike

Take a walk in the woods at dusk on a self-guided scavenger hunt. Bring a headlamp or flashlight.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211001-01 • Fri, Oct. 5; 7–8:30 pm

Star Stories

Gather around the campfire and listen to songs and tales about the night sky.

Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211001-02 • Fri, Nov. 2; 7–8:30 pm

Night Noise

Try a nighttime scavenger hunt with your ears. Bring a headlamp or flashlight.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211001-03 • Fri, Dec. 7; 7–8:30 pm

Fun on the Ice

Bring your skates or try one of our kicksleds. We'll light up the lake for winter fun.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211001-04 • Fri, Jan. 4; 7–8:30 pm

Sledding Party

We'll light the hill and you bring your sleds for an evening of family fun.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211001-05 • Fri, Feb. 1; 7–8:30 pm

Nature Trivia

Have fun playing family-friendly team trivia and test your nature knowledge.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211001-06 • Fri, March 1; 7–8:30 pm

PARENT CHILD CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSON

Learn the basic skills of classic-style cross-country skiing in a familyfriendly environment.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $15/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210602-01 • Sat, Jan. 12; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 210602-02 • Fri, Jan. 18; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 210602-03 • Sat, Jan. 26; 10 am–noon Activity Number: 210602-04 • Sun, Feb. 3; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 210602-05 • Fri, Feb. 8; 2–4 pm Activity Number: 210602-06 • Sat, Feb. 23; 2–4 pm

RAPTOR WATCH

Search the skies over Schaar's Bluff for migrating raptors. Binoculars provided or bring your own.

Ages: All ages Fee: Free Gathering Center Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 211707-01 • Sun, Oct. 14; 1–3 pm

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT

Join us for a night hike when the moon is full and learn how animals adapt to the night and how darkness can play tricks on our senses.

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $5/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211404-01 • Wed, Oct. 24; 6–8 pm

COBWEBS AND CACHES

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

Costumes encouraged.

Ages: All ages.

Fee: $5/person; youth 5 and under free Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211002-01 • Sat, Oct. 27; 5–8 pm

OWL OUTING

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

Ages: 5 and older Fee: $5/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211702-01 • Sat, Dec. 29; 5–7 pm Activity Number: 211702-02 • Fri, Jan. 18; 5–7 pm

www.dakotacounty.us/parks Click Programs & Events

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

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park

FOREST FRIENDS DAY CAMP

Explore the park and find out how deer, squirrels and other animals are getting ready for winter.

Ages: 7–10 Fee: $50/youth Activity Number: 210406-01 • Thu and Fri, Oct. 18–19; 9 am–3 pm

NATURE DETECTIVES DAY CAMP

Who's been here and what did they do? Use clues to solve the mystery of what happens in the park at night.

Ages: 8–12 Fee: $75/youth Activity Number: 210406-02 • Wed–Fri, Dec. 26–28; 9 am–3 pm

TAKE FLIGHT DAY CAMP

Explore the world of birds in the park, learn about flight, and design the perfect flying machine.

Ages: 8–12 Fee: $75/youth Activity Number: 210406-03 • Wed–Fri, March 27–29; 9 am–3 pm

ADULT COFFEE AND CONVERSATION

Join naturalists and historians for a coffee break and learn about the natural and cultural history of the Rock Island Swing Bridge and Mississippi River Trail. Share your own stories about the area’s history.

Coffee provided.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: Free Swing Bridge Park Shelter Mississippi River Regional Trail Activity Number: 210701-01 • Fri, Oct. 5; 10–11:30 am

WILD ART

Join us to create art inspired by nature.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: Free; pre-registration required

Needle Felted Fall Foliage

Learn how to turn loose, fluffy wool into a felted leaf using warm colors of fall with the Textile Center.

A Minnesota Legacy program.

Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park Activity Number: 210202-01 • Sun, Oct. 7; 9–11 am

PLARN

Join artist Ella Thomson from ArtStart as she demonstrates how to turn plastic bags into yarn or plarn. Weave a set of placemats. Bring plastic bags from home to recycle. A Minnesota Legacy program.

Gathering Center Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 210201-02 • Sat, Nov. 3; 9–11 am

Clay Garden Art

Join instructors from Artistry to create a lantern, animal sculpture, bird feeder or other clay garden art using basic handbuilding techniques.

Equipment provided. A Minnesota Legacy program.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210201-03 • Sat, March 9; 9–11 am

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

BUCKTHORN SPOON CARVING

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

Learn about tree anatomy, axing out a blank, knife holds, and drying and finishing. Equipment provided.

Ages: 18 and older Fee: $50/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211709-01 • Thu, Oct. 4; 6–9 pm

PARKS AND PINTS: AUTHOR ADAM ARVIDSON

Enjoy a pint and listen to author Adam Arvidson, author of “Wild and Rare: Tracking Endangered Species in the Upper Midwest,” share compelling stories of endangered species and the landscapes that nurture them. Bring your own beer, wine or non-alcoholic beverage and receive a commemorative glass to take home.

Ages: 21 and older Fee: $20/person; pre-registration required Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211602-01 • Fri, Oct. 12; 7–8:30 pm

FALL COLORS CANOE

Learn how to paddle and portage to experience the brilliant colors of fall.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $15/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211901-01 • Sat, Oct. 13; 9–11 am

WOODPECKER WALK

Take a guided bird walk through the woods on a quest to spot several species of woodpeckers.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $5/person Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park Activity Number: 211710-02 • Fri, Nov. 2; 8–10 am

BUILD YOUR OWN SNOWSHOES

Get ready for winter with this workshop. Learn about snowshoes and build your own traditional wood pair for recreation or decoration.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $160/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211708-01 • Sat, Jan. 5; 10 am–3 pm

BACKYARD AGRICULTURE: BEEKEEPING BASICS

Learn how to start your own apiary with JoAnne Sabin of the Minnesota Beekeepers Association. Get information about honeybee biology and behavior, hive management, swarm prevention, and equipment.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $40/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211301-01 • Thu, Jan. 10, 17 and 24; 6–9 pm

TRAILS BY CANDELIGHT EVENTS WILD RIDE MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL

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

Ages: All ages Fee: Free West Trailhead Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210801-01 • Sat, Sept. 22; 10 am–4 pm

OPT OUTSIDE: GNOMES WHO ROAM

Explore the woods on a guided hike under the light of the full moon.

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $15/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 211401-02 • Sun, Jan. 20; 6–8 pm

Celebrate Black Friday outdoors with the whole family. Lebanon Hills Regional Park is the latest vacation spot for Jerome and his merry band of gnomes. Go on a gnome safari, geocache and solve riddles to find Jerome himself.

Ages: All ages Fee: Free Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210804-01 • Fri, Nov. 23; 10 am–4 pm

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

FULL MOON SNOWSHOE

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

Ages: 16 and older Fee: $25/person Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210603-01 • Sun, Jan. 13; 10 am–noon Activity Number: 210603-02 • Sun, Jan. 27; 10 am–noon Activity Number: 210603-03 • Sun, Feb. 3; 10 am–noon

Celebrate all things winter with candlelight ice skating, hiking and snowshoeing. Hang out at the A-frame, warm up with crackling bonfires and make s'mores. Stay for the countdown and ball drop at 7:59 pm. Bring your sled and ice skates.

Snowshoe rental available. S’mores and hot cocoa provided. Hot food available for purchase from food trucks. Dogs not permitted.

Ages: All ages Fee: $5/person at the door; youth ages 3 and under free. No pre-registration.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210802-01 • Mon, Dec. 31; 5–8 pm

Enjoy parks by flickering candlelight.

A variety of trails and distances will be lit with hundreds of candles.

Warm up with hot cocoa and crackling bonfires. Cocoa provided.

Hot food available for purchase from food trucks. Dogs not permitted.

Ages: All ages Fee: $5/person at the door; youth ages 3 and under free. No pre-registration.

Thompson County Park

Walk around the lake and through the woods on hiking and snowshoe trails, and plowed walking trails.

Dakota Lodge Thompson County Park Activity Number: 210803-01 • Fri, Jan. 11; 6–9 pm

Spring Lake Park Reserve

Take in stunning views of the Mississippi River as you enjoy crosscountry ski trails and plowed walking trails. Dakota County Parks ski pass required for skiers.

Gathering Center Spring Lake Park Reserve Activity Number: 210803-02 • Fri, Jan. 25; 6–9 pm

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Enjoy award-winning cross-country ski trails, hiking, snowshoe trails, and plowed walking trails. Ski and snowshoe rental available. Dakota County Parks ski pass required for skiers.

Visitor Center Lebanon Hills Regional Park Activity Number: 210803-03 • Sat, Feb. 9; 6–9 pm

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

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

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

PAYMENT Payment is due at registration.

All major credit cards are accepted.

SCHOLARSHIPS Call 952-891-7000.

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

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

EQUIPMENT Provided unless specified.

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

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

Build a love for the outdoors through fun year-round activities for all ages, field trips, birthday parties and private nature programs. www.dakotacounty.us/parks, click programs and events

23 WATER QUALITY 25 ORGANIC RECYCLING

OFF

OIL ROAD SALT DRIVEWAY SEALANT

Keeping it clean The importance of water quality

The water that flows into your local storm drain usually finds its way into our lakes and streams. This water is typically not treated to remove pollutants and can have lasting effects on our water quality. Keeping pollutants out of storm water is one of the most important things we can do to ensure we have clean water for generations to come.

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23

Go Green | Water quality

For example, sediment and contaminants from parking lots and roads have been washing into Thompson Lake in Thompson County Park.

Recent studies of the lake identified water contaminants from chemicals from now-banned asphalt driveway sealant products, chloride (road salt) and petroleum products, and high levels of chemicals such as arsenic and copper.

Cleaning Thompson Lake is an important water-quality improvement project identified in the Dakota County Parks Master Plan because

of the lake’s environmental value and recreational potential. In December 2015, we received a grant to remove contaminated sediment from the lake bed and install storm water improvements to reduce the number of pollutants entering the lake. Volunteers will also help pick up garbage in and around the lake throughout the year.

The project will improve the water quality which, in turn, will provide a healthier habitat for fish, turtles, egrets and other creatures that live there; improve aesthetics at the park; and increase opportunities for recreational activities.

A low-salt diet Using road salt in an efficient and safe manner during the winter months is another way we’re working to protect water quality. A single teaspoon of salt can permanently pollute five gallons of water. Once the salt is in the water, there is no easy way to remove it.

When found in high concentrations, salt can harm fish and plant life.

To prevent overuse, Dakota County, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and others partnered to host several Smart Salting Certification Courses. The classes teach contractors and County staff, who perform outdoor winter maintenance, how to use salt efficiently to minimize excess

Detoxify your garage this fall.

Take hazardous waste to The Recycling Zone.

• Antifreeze • Car batteries • Fluorescent bulbs • Gasoline

• Lawn and garden chemicals • LP tanks/gas cylinders • Oil/filters • Paint

• Pool chemicals • Most products labeled dangerous, flammable, poison, combustible or corrosive.

www.dakotacounty.us, search Recycling Zone A nominal fee is charged for televisions, monitors and tires.

Go Green

Get the drop on recycling organics Organic materials such as food scraps and compostable paper napkins make up one-third of the trash that ends up in our landfills.

Dakota County is working to help keep organics out of our landfills by providing free residential drop sites.

Residents can sign up to drop off organics at Thompson County Park in West St. Paul and at the Holland Lake trailhead in Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan. salt pollution while keeping our roads, sidewalks and parking lots safe. All Dakota County highway maintenance staff are Smart Salting certified.

This, coupled with upgrading outdated equipment and modifying application techniques that deliver salt precisely, resulted in a 40-percent reduction in winter salt use over the past decade.

Together, these strategies reduce environmental impacts without compromising safe road conditions, and save taxpayer dollars.

You can help too We can all help. From keeping trash out of our lakes and streams to planting water filters like raingardens and grasslands, preventing harmful runoff from entering storm gutters or monitoring local wetlands for signs of pollution, we can all do our part to keep our water clean.

Organics collected at the drop sites are taken to a local commercial compost facility. The sites provide a better way to manage organics by turning them into compost that is good for the environment and reduces the amount sent to the landfill.

Since the drop-site program started in 2016, more than 1,900 households have registered to collect and drop off their organic waste — keeping more than 2,000 pounds out of our landfills each week.

To sign up for the program, call 952-891-7557 or email organics@co.dakota.mn.us.

Participants receive a welcome kit with compostable bags, an access code to enter the locked drop-off location of your choice and a how-to guide to recycle organics. Together, we can make a difference and put our food and soiled paper to better use.

1,900 households have already registered fall/winter 2018 | www.dakotacounty.us |

25

F E A T U R E

Always looki Exceptional libraries, first-rate parks and well-maintained county roads don’t just happen by accident. They’re the result of years of prudent, long-term planning — and that’s something we take very seriously.

king ahead

A L W A Y S

L O O K I N G

A H E A D

Just as you might plan for your own future, we are planning as far out as two decades to continue making Dakota County a great place to live and work.

It’s an ongoing process, and we rely on the input of residents and the expertise of County employees in many different areas to get plans in place. Today, we’re studying the highway and transit needs of the future, planning how best to prepare our parks and trails to be enjoyed years from now, and working to make sure our libraries exceed your expectations in the decades to come.

We’re also busy creating a County workforce that reflects the community we’ll serve in the years ahead.

PREPARING FOR A CHANGING COUNTY Careful strategic planning is helping us prepare for a county with more residents, an older and increasingly diverse community, and a larger workforce.

More than 422,000 people live in Dakota County, and we’re expected to grow by as much as 25 percent over the next 20 years. By 2030, our population is estimated to top 475,000, and according to regional estimates, the county will be home to 514,000 people by 2040. As the population grows over the next two decades, we expect to see an increase of 55,000 jobs in the county.

28 | www.dakotacounty.us | fall/winter 2018

But we’re not just planning for more people.

We’re also looking at how the needs of residents will evolve as they get older. Our population of residents 65 and older is estimated to grow by more than 30,000 by 2040 — a 50 percent increase — so we’ve made planning for an aging community a priority.

We’re preparing for a future with more older adults by helping people learn what it takes to stay in their home as they age, educating the community about conditions such as dementia that traditionally affect older residents, and training older adults how to use rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft to get around when they no longer can or want to drive. We’re also working with our cities to plan for their aging populations.

Our county is becoming more diverse, too.

Minority populations are expected to make up 22 percent of residents in 2020 and 27 percent by 2040, while the Caucasian population will drop from 78 percent of the overall population to 72 percent in the same time period. We’re responding to those demographic shifts in

many ways, such as by adding library materials in different languages, developing new park programs to draw a more diverse audience, and hiring employees who reflect our changing communities.

wildlife. The plan is also helping us develop what will eventually be a 200-mile greenway system of trails, so residents and visitors throughout the county can enjoy the outdoors. Our greenway system is now about halfway complete.

POPULATION DRIVES OUR PLANNING

BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Our County comprehensive plan is an important tool used to prepare for population growth.

The plan, which we update every 10 years, is our roadmap to guide road projects, set aside land for parks, protect natural areas, improve water quality and more for the next 20 years.

We partner with cities and townships in Dakota County, which also draft their own comprehensive plans. City and township plans determine what types of land uses will be in a community.

We know everyone values clean water, so we use the plan to make smart choices about setting aside land that can be conserved for its environmental importance and recreational purposes. Preserving land can result in cleaner groundwater and fewer of the invasive plant and water species that harm or drive away birds and

How well you‘re able to get around Dakota County is important. Residents need to be able to get home and to work, school and elsewhere safely.

Businesses rely on an efficient transportation system to provide goods and services. We need to make sure we’re developing safe and effective transportation routes that will serve all of us for years to come.

We make sure our roadways serve residents and others in the best way possible by developing a transportation plan based on population growth estimates, the current conditions of county roads and bridges, planned expansion of public transitways, and the land use and development plans of cities within Dakota County. Together, that work helps steer County road and highway planning to build roads when growth or development makes them necessary. Partnerships and careful planning result in the best value for taxpayers.

In 2019, we will update the transportation plan to guide road and transit projects through 2040. Public input will be an important part of that process. The plan will include highway expansions, intersection locations and alignments, and transit projects. We’re already studying how to most effectively develop the

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A L W A Y S

L O O K I N G

A H E A D

transitway system, including the possibility of additional service to areas in the eastern part of the county.

People don’t rely just on cars and buses to get around. Residents are walking and biking for recreation and to get to work. Our long-range transportation plan considers how to promote safe bicycling and walking. Well-planned trails and sidewalks will help the aging population, benefit people who want convenient ways to exercise and protect the environment.

Peering into the future of transportation isn’t limited to traditional ways of getting around.

We’re considering how transportation will change as technology advances over the next 20 years including self-driving cars, also called autonomous vehicles. We’re looking at how those self-driving cars could change transportation habits and the roads we use every day.

While there are wide projections on when the use of self-driving vehicles might be widespread, our transportation planners need to think about how it could change road design and use. For instance, we’re already looking at ways it might transform the way we use road signs, illuminate highways and mark traffic lanes.

Some of our planning ahead involves looking back. For example, we purchase road salt each year in advance of the winter driving season.

We’ve become more efficient at applying the mixture on roadways and the trend of warmer, shorter winters allows us to plan to use less salt.

That can lower our cost for the coming year.

Studying our salt use in past years and buying in advance is just one way planning saves taxpayer money.

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DEVELOPING A HOUSING PLAN Housing is one of the biggest issues in Dakota County, and we know it will continue to be top of mind as our communities grow.

We have a strong record of looking ahead at future housing needs. As far back as 30 years ago, we planned for the “senior tsunami,” an increase in aging residents on limited incomes who need housing. Our Community Development Agency now provides more than 1,700 senior households with affordable rental housing. These modest apartments are important to seniors who may count Social Security as their only source of income.

Another way we make sure there will be affordable homes in the years ahead is by providing tax credits and other financing to private developers for housing projects that meet certain qualifications. When these resources are awarded to projects, they’re guaranteeing affordability for 15–30 years. This financing has been used to create new affordable housing and preserve existing housing.

There is also important planning underway at different ends of the housing spectrum.

Private developers are responding to needs for more single-family housing in growing areas of the county. The County’s comprehensive plan establishes a vision for how land should be used, including the location of future housing. Private developers carefully plan their projects to align with our comprehensive plan.

We’re also collaborating with other Twin Cities-area counties to find ways to address homelessness in the years ahead. It’s a challenging issue requiring a long-term strategy and partners across the region, and our multi-county housing partnership is already digging in.

continue to grow in popularity, putting emerging technology such as 3-D printers and iMacs with creative design software at the hands of any resident when cost might otherwise have put it out of reach. The remodeled Galaxie Library in Apple Valley includes a multipurpose room with an expanded selection of iLAB equipment.

There is also a full line of iLAB equipment at the Wescott location and limited equipment at Heritage, Wentworth, Robert Trail, Pleasant Hill and Farmington locations.

A CHANGING LIBRARY Dakota County Library is a popular resource for residents of all ages. That is why we’re working hard to make sure the services offered at each of the nine locations exceed visitor expectations.

We’re using demographic data and population projections along with current library user trends to guide our plans. The Library plays an important role in Dakota County — opening minds to the world, offering books and online resources you may not be able to get elsewhere, and serving as community gathering spaces — all for free.

The Library‘s material collections are changing to reflect the county’s demographics, including more residents who speak languages other than English. We’re adding to our youth and adult collections in Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese and Russian.

We know technology will change how visitors use the Library, so we are staying on top of trends and expanding tech-based resources. Our iLABs

Not all of our changes are happening within the walls of the library. We’re also adding electric vehicle charging stations at Heritage Library in Lakeville and Pleasant Hill Library in Hastings when their remodels are completed next spring and summer. We expect demand for those charging stations to grow as electric vehicle use increases.

ENHANCING PARKS AND TRAILS Just as libraries can fulfill our desire for knowledge, parks can satisfy our need for outdoor exploration, solitude and recreation. In our 2016 Residential Survey, 88 percent of residents rated outdoor

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A L W A Y S

L O O K I N G

A H E A D

recreation opportunities in Dakota County as “good” or “excellent.” We want residents to continue to experience a robust Dakota County Parks system, so we’re planning an even stronger network of trails and greenways for enjoyment in the years to come.

We want park activities, trail options and natural resource spaces to be appealing and accessible to our changing population. We’re reaching out to communities within Dakota County that have not traditionally visited the parks, and launching programs to draw first-time park users of all ages.

We’re adding trailheads with parking for more access to trails, and planning a comprehensive greenway system connecting neighborhoods throughout the county.

PREPARING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY NEEDS Providing excellent County services and amenities is important, but we have a greater responsibility to protect public safety, especially in the event of emergencies and hazardous incidents. The County has plans in place to respond to many types of hazards, from floods to fires, tornados to terrorism.

The plans are reviewed frequently to make sure we are using the most recent information and response methods. We frequently partner with our cities and others to practice new methods and to make sure our response is coordinated and effective to ensure people are safe and property damage is minimized.

Planning includes finding ways to enhance individual parks and open spaces. Our experienced employees are relying on residents’ input and sound scientific practices to improve the experience for visitors as well as to protect and restore our valuable public lands.

We are developing natural resource management plans for each County park, which guide how we manage a park’s land and water resources for decades to come. We identify exotic, invasive species and create plans to control them and over time replace them with native species. Also, under the County Board’s direction, we have worked to improve and create habitat for pollinators, such as bees and other insects. That restoration work is creating new habitat for decades to come.

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Our law enforcement officers also are planning and preparing for the future.

Criminal investigations have become far more complicated due to technology, and law enforcement officers expect that work to get even more complex in the years ahead. For instance, a theft investigation might have involved obtaining a search warrant for a house to look for a type of

evidence, but with our growing use of electronics, investigators working a theft case now might have to obtain search warrants for information from a phone company, websites, banks or social media.

That trend shows no sign of slowing down.

To stay ahead of the game, the sheriff’s office is planning additional space for our team that specializes in electronic crimes because the caseload is expected to grow. Also, we’re exploring ways to partner with other nearby counties to share resources and work together on those complicated electronic crime investigations.

AN EVOLVING WORKFORCE We are looking at ourselves as we plan for the years to come.

As our community becomes more diverse, it’s important that County employees reflect the population we serve. We’re already acting on goals to increase the diversity of our employees.

Last year, for instance, 20 percent of new County employees identified as people of color. The rate has grown steadily in recent years.

community environment within our workplaces.

We’ve supported our employees in creating employee resource groups that represent a variety of communities within our workforce, such as military veterans, young professionals, women, people of color, people with health restrictions or disabilities, and those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. We’re also championing a workforce where all employees are able to effectively interact with and serve people who are different than themselves.

The County has a responsibility to make smart decisions to maintain a high quality of life for residents now and in decades to come. We have a strong history of doing that, and we are carefully planning how we can best serve a growing, changing population. We want to continue providing valuable resources in a cost-effective way, amenities such as parks and libraries that fulfill your expectations, and essential services such as roads and public safety that meet the needs of a vibrant, evolving county. Effective, strategic planning on a variety of levels can help us continue to do just that.

We’re developing a workforce of the future by creating new leadership programs for current employees who want to grow within the organization and by improving our recruitment of talent from outside the County.

To keep experienced employees and retain new ones, we’re making the County a desirable place to work on behalf of our residents. We’re encouraging a welcoming and inclusive

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Flex your right to vote.

Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Register to vote and find your polling location and poll hours at www.dakotacounty.us, search voting.

Your Commissioners Mike Slavik District 1

T: 651-438-4427 Includes the cities of Coates, Farmington, Hampton, Hastings, Miesville, New Trier, Randolph, Vermillion, Northfield Precinct 2; townships of Castle Rock, Douglas, Empire, Eureka, Greenvale, Hampton, Marshan, Nininger, Randolph, Ravenna, Sciota, Vermillion and Waterford.

Kathleen A. Gaylord District 2

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

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

Thomas A. Egan

MENDOTA

District 3

MENDOTA HEIGHTS

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

Joe Atkins District 4

T: 651-438-4430 Includes the cities of Inver Grove Heights Precincts 2–7; Eagan Precincts 8 and 13–17; and Rosemount Precincts 1–2, 4, and 6–7.

Liz Workman

WEST ST. PAUL

SOUTH ST. PAUL

Contact us

SUNFISH LAKE

2

3

Email: board@co.dakota.mn.us

EAGAN INVER GROVE HEIGHTS

BURNSVILLE

5

APPLE VALLEY

4

7 ROSEMOUNT

6

VERMILLION TWP NEW TRIER

District 5

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

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

MIESVILLE

HAMPTON EUREKA

CASTLE ROCK

Mary Liz Holberg District 6

RAVENNA MARSHAN

1

FARMINGTON

HASTINGS

COATES

VERMILLION

EMPIRE

LAKEVILLE

NININGER

HAMPTON TWP

DOUGLAS

RANDOLPH RANDOLPH TWP SCIOTA

GREENVALE

WATERFORD NORTHFIELD

Chris Gerlach District 7

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

Fall Hike and Listening Session with Commissioner Atkins.

Sun, Sept. 30, 11:30 a.m., Visitor Center, Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Eagan Open to all residents.

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Doorstep delivery is super convenient.

So is recycling cardboard.

Don’t waste it — recycle it.

Flatten boxes and put them in your home recycling cart.

Know what to do with the inside packaging at www.dakotacounty.us, search Green Guide.