DEPARTMENT: Communications and Public Affairs
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
title
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
end
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 envir...
Click here for full text