Parks Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

​​Dakota County Parks is committed to the health and safety of our public and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What's open

Almost all Dakota County Parks amenities are now available, but with some changes to procedures. Changes to our services are detailed on each amenity's page.

What's closed

The Lebanon Hills Visitor Center is closed until further notice. The equipment rental office is open.

Water fountains will also remain turned off throughout the park system.

Lake Byllesby Beach at Lake Byllesby Regional Park and Fawn Crossing Nature Play Area at Whitetail Woods Regional Park are both closed due to a park improvement projects.

What's canceled

Updated Aug. 26, 2020
General outdoor education programming is canceled through Aug. 31, but will resume Sept. 1 with new procedures. See the COVID-19 Parks Program Handout.

Precautions

• Face coverings required: Dakota County Park staff will wear masks when interacting with the public. Park visitors are required to wear a face covering when entering any indoor park facility, including restrooms, anytime when interacting with park staff, and outside in crowds and when physical distancing is difficult in accordance with MN Emergency Executive Order 20-81. 
• Stay home if you or anyone in your home is sick or has COVID-19 symptoms (fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, or a new or increased cough in the last seven days) OR if you have had close contact with someone who was diagnosed or suspected to have COVID-19 within the last 14 days. 
• Wash or sanitize your hands before and after your visit. Park structures are not sanitized.
• Maintain at least 6 feet at all times from others, except for members of the same household.
• Follow the posted directional signage around the following lakes to help accommodate physical distancing:
• McDonough Lake, Lebanon Hills Regional Park
• Schulze Lake, Lebanon Hills Regional Park
• Wheaton Pond, Lebanon Hills Regional Park (registered campers and their guests only)
• Jensen Lake, Lebanon Hills Regional Park
• Thompson Lake, Thompson County Park
• Empire Lake, Whitetail Woods Regional Park
• COVID-19 Planning Guides are available for:
• Camping at Lebanon Hills Campground
• Camping at Lake Byllesby Campground
• Camping at the Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins
• Renting canoes, kayaks and paddleboards at the equipment rental office at Lebanon Hills Regional Park
• Picnicking at all picnic shelters
• Renting an event center for a meeting, wedding or family gathering
• Renting a retreat center for a meeting, family gathering or overnight stay

Stay connected

Check us out on Facebook or sign up for the Parks listserv.

It is important to note that stigma will not fight COVID-19 — sharing accurate information will. Find information from reliable, trustworthy sources , including Dakota County Public Health, Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.