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 park and trail amenities are free, open and available, but with some changes to procedures. Changes to our services are detailed on each amenity's page.

What's closed

Due to the Governor's Executive Order, the following park facilities are closed through Dec. 18, 2020:

• Lebanon Hills Visitor Center (the Visitor Center equipment rental office remains open and staffed daily with an attendant 9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center*
• Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center*
• Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center*
• Dakota Lodge*

* These facilities remain available for use at reduced capacities for wedding ceremonies, funeral services or other religious services as defined by the executive order.

Water fountains remain turned off throughout the park system.

What's canceled

Updated Nov. 19, 2020
In-person outdoor education programming is canceled through Dec. 18, 2020. Virtual programming remains available.

The following special events have been canceled:

• Opt Optside –​ Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Whitetail Woods Regional Park and Thompson County Park (Nov. 28, 2020)
• New Year's Eve Party – Lebanon Hills Regional Park (Dec. 31, 2020)
• Trails by Candlelight – Thompson County Park (Jan. 22, 2021)
• Trails by Candlelight – Spring Lake Park Reserve (Jan. 29, 2021)
• Trails by Candlelight – Lebanon Hills Regional Park (Feb. 19, 2021)

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 the Whitetail Woods Camper Cabins
• Renting winter equipment 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

Outdoor facility capacity

Capacity at outdoor facilities is currently limited to 15 or less with a maximum of three households. Capacity follows the State of Minnesota guidelines for outdoor social settings per Stay Safe MN.

Stay connected

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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.