DEPARTMENT: Communications and Public Affairs
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Update And Discussion On Parking Permit Accommodation During Waterfowl Hunting Season At Spring Lake Park Reserve And Staff Recommendation On Naming Of The Mississippi River Access Area At Fisher Avenue
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Provide the Dakota County Board of Commissioners an update on the accommodations that can be made to allow waterfowl hunters to continue to use the Spring Lake Park Reserve water access and seek input and direction on the staff recommendation for naming the internal park feature of the new public river access location in Spring Lake Park Reserve.
SUMMARY
The County purchased the property formerly known as “Bud’s Landing” in 2012. This property, an in-holding within Spring Lake Park Reserve, had historically been used as a boat launch by local waterfowl hunters. Since there were no immediate plans to develop the site, the county continued to accommodate waterfowl hunters through a parking permit process from late September through early December. An average of 2.7 permits was issued each day during the 2024 and 2025 waterfowl hunting seasons. This accommodated an average of 31 hunting parties per year.
The Spring Lake Park Reserve Master Plan was updated and adopted by the County Board on June 22, 2021. The updated plan identified a future River Landing Use Area at the former location of Bud’s Landing (Attachment: Spring Lake Park Reserve Master Plan Mississippi Discovery Zone). Staff presented the schematic design for the Mississippi River Landing Use Area and Access in Spring Lake Park Reserve at the November 6, 2025, Physical Development Committee of the Whole. This proposed design included limited parking, a carry-in boat launch, accessible floating pier, self-service canoe and kayak rentals, picnic areas, portable restrooms, and interpretation and signage. A large, motorized boat launch was not possible due to space constraints and environmental and cultural resource concerns identified at the site. The County Board approved the schematic design at the November 18, 2025, County Board meeting.
Since adoption of the schematic design, staff have heard from several hunters who have historically used the site to access the Mississippi River during waterfowl season and other concerned citizens and citizen groups. In response, staff have discussed the situation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and reviewed internal policies and plans. Based on that review, staff identified a way to continue to accommodate waterfowl hunters while also moving forward with the improvements identified in the Master Plan and schematic design that will offer additional recreational opportunities for other residents.
recommendation
Spring Lake Park River Access and Waterfowl Hunting:
Staff have identified an opportunity to continue to accommodate waterfowl hunters who have historically used the river access area to launch their boats during waterfowl season while still pursuing the master plan approved project to make the area accessible to the general public.
1. Road access to the future Mississippi River Access area will be closed during all or part of the waterfowl hunting season (late September through early December).
2. Access will be restricted using a parking permit system like the one used at the site since 2013.
3. Vehicles will still be able to back their trailers into the water using the existing sand launch, as they have done for years. This type of access would only be permitted during the designated time period.
4. The number of permits available each day would depend on the number of boat and trailer combinations that can safely be parked at the access and will be determined once final design and construction are complete.
5. Specific closure dates and the exact number of permits available will be published on the Parks website prior to the 2027 waterfowl season (the area will be closed for the 2026 season due to construction).
6. Closing the access to carry in boat traffic during this time of year should not have any major impacts, as it is after the peak kayak and canoe seasons.
Naming and Acknowledgement Recommendations:
1. Name the water access location on public maps, main county website and park signage “Mississippi River Access.”
2. Place plaque at completed public launch commemorating Bud’s Landing by name to honor discussion during the property sale.
3. Name the water access location on the waterfowl parking permit webpage and on the physical permits during hunting season as “Minnesota River Access at Bud’s Landing.”
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
12-117, 02/28/12
13-522, 10/01/13
25-542, 11/18/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Spring Lake Park Reserve Mississippi Discovery Zone
Attachment: Presentation Slides
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Mary Beth Schubert
Author: Niki Geisler