Dakota County leaders celebrated the opening of the Vermillion River Greenway in Hastings at a ribbon-cutting event Tuesday, May 6.
The Vermillion River Greenway is a 2.1-mile stretch of paved trail running along the south side of the Vermillion River in Hastings. It is the latest addition to Dakota County's vision for a 200-mile greenway system.
Speaking just steps from the waterfall at Vermillion Falls Park, Dakota County Commissioner Mike Slavik described how Vermillion River Greenway connects with the Mississippi River Greenway, which allows visitors to ride all the way to St. Paul.
“That has been the goal of the 200-mile vision," Slavik said. “To connect you to communities, to connect you to natural resources like the Vermillion Falls here, like the Mississippi River, the Minnesota River — some of the most amazing things that make Dakota County unique."
Other highlights along the Vermillion River Greenway include the Hastings 10-Mile Loop and trailheads at C.P. Adams Park and Vermillion Falls Park.
The ribbon cutting officially turned over maintenance of the greenway from the City of Hastings to Dakota County — the culmination of a partnership that began with the city developing the trail nearly 40 years ago. Hastings Mayor Mary Fasbender praised city parks staff for maintaining trails and keeping city parks “as beautiful as they are."
“We are so grateful to have Dakota County as partners and to continue to keep these greenway projects coming — and to adore the beauty that we have around the trails," Fasbender said.