DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Resubmit Funding Request To State Of Minnesota Department Of Natural Resources State Park Road Account Program
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting requests for the State Park Road Account (SPRA) program; and
WHEREAS, the SPRA program funds eligible construction costs related to improving access to public recreation areas, including public lakes and rivers; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County has identified a need to pave primary access roads in Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve; and
WHEREAS, the improvements are estimated at $1,196,000; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends the submittal of a request for up to $598,000 to the SPRA program for improving access to Spring Lake Park Reserve and the Mississippi River; and
WHEREAS, the improvements are included in the Draft 2027- 2031 Parks Capital Improvement Program and programmed in project year 2028; and
WHEREAS, a $598,000 match is included in the Draft 2027- 2031 Parks Capital Improvement Program; and
WHEREAS, project submittals are due November 1, 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the submission to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources State Park Road Account program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby approves submitting the required letters of support from the City of Rosemount and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
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BACKGROUND
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources State Parks Road Account (SPRA) provides financial assistance to local governments for improving access to public recreation facilities, including public lakes and rivers. Two previous park paving projects have received this funding: the Whitetail Woods Regional Park entrance and the Cedar/Nichols access to the Minnesota River Greenway.
Lower Spring Lake Park Reserve is currently accessed only by gravel roads. The completion of the Mississippi River Greenway, reintroduction of bison, Fischer Avenue Trailhead, and planned supporting facilities will increase traffic to the park and expectations for paved access. Staff are proposing a phased approach to complete paved access to the park and the Mississippi River.
The first phase would be to pave Pine Bend Trail east of Fahey Avenue to the Fischer Avenue entrance into the park and pave Fahey Avenue from Pine Bend Trail north to the Archery Trailhead.
The next phase would be to pave Fahey Avenue from Trunk Highway 55 to Pine Bend Road. This segment requires more extensive design and coordination with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and City of Rosemount. A future project would complete paved surface access.
The Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized a 2024 SPRA grant proposal, with a request for $750,000 and a 2025 SPRA grant proposal for $350,000, which were both unsuccessful. The Phase cost estimate is $1,196,000 including project delivery costs. Dakota County would request $598,000 from the SPRA program, with matching funds totaling $598,000.
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends the submittal of a request for $598,000 to the SPRA program for improving access to Spring Lake Regional Park Reserve and the Mississippi River.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
This resolution would authorize the County to submit a request to the SPRA for $598,000 in funding. The project is included in the Draft 2027 - 2031 Capital Improvement Program and programmed in project year 2028. The match is included in the Draft 2027- 2031 Parks Capital Improvement Program, with the County’s matching funds being paid for with $598,000 of Transportation Advancement Account (TAA) revenues.
|
Funding Source |
Draft 2028 Capital Improvement Program Budget |
|
State Park Road Account Grant (SRPA) |
$598,000 |
|
Transportation Advancement Account (TAA) |
$598,000 |
|
Total |
$1,196,000 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
24-533; 10/29/24
25-495; 10/21/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Draft Grant Application
Attachment: Cost Estimate
CONTACTS
Department Director: Niki Geisler
Author: Niki Geisler