Planning Our Forever Wild Future

Dakota County invites input on Lebanon Hills Regional Park Jan. 4, 2010

Come see what’s being planned for Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Residents are invited to attend an open house at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan on Jan. 4. from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dakota County staff and consultants will present a preferred layout for possible enhancements to the area surrounding the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center. Enhancements could include: a redesigned parking area, a loop trail around McDonough Lake, beach improvements including shade, and ecological changes for better stormwater management. In addition a short presentation on the project status will be given at 5:30 p.m.

Residents will be invited to share their comments. Input received will be used as the planning process progresses. The event is free and open to the public.

All of these potential improvements are part of phase two of the planning process for the park, which is funded by a $750,000 grant from the Metropolitan Council and a $378,000 grant provided through the Outdoor Heritage Fund financed by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

Lebanon Hills Regional Park is the County’s most popular park with more than 400,000 visitors per year. The park includes 2,000 acres centrally located within the County. It serves as the hub for a variety of park programs and includes winter and summer trails, rental facilities, a campground and more. The Lebanon Hills Visitor Center is known for its green building features and serves as a trailhead for the rest of the park. In the surrounding area, parks staff offer equipment rentals such as skis and snowshoes. It is also the home of the popular Schulze Beach.

Ideas for the layout are based on the parks master plan and input from both the public and the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee. For more information, visit www.dakotacounty.us and search Lebanon Hills, or call Bruce Blair at 952-891-7990.