Dakota County Parks

General Description

Enjoy the outdoors and time with your furry friend while also assisting fellow dog park visitors with questions, directions, park cleanup, and first aid care. Our patrol units offer a vital service to the park programs by being trained individuals who are onsite to assist our park users with day to day operations and emergencies. Volunteer on your own time (no set schedule), while personally enjoying the trails, it doesn’t get better than that!

Locations

Dakota Woods Dog Park 

16470 Blaine Ave.

Rosemount, MN 55068

Click here to learn more about the Dakota Woods Dog Park. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Help provide a safe and enjoyable experience to all dog park visitors.
• Provide directions and help answer questions.
• Assist with cleanup of trash, dog waste, and other items found at the park.
• Assist in an emergency if you are onsite.
• Carry a cell phone with you while on patrol to be accessible to visitor center contact.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years old or older.
• Good physical fitness and customer service skills.
• Must provide your own equipment (we will supply extra dog waste bags and a small shovel).
• Completion of all required training.
• Complete a background check with the county (if applicable).

Benefits

• Free CPR/First Aid Training.
• Free yearly pass to the county's dog park once you complete 6 hours of service. 
• Great way to gather hours for school requirements, professional development, etc.
• Set your own schedule and times.
• Great opportunity to grow personally: customer service, emergency prep, and people skills.
• A great team full of people who love what you already like to do.

Time Commitment

Dakota County Trail Ambassadors is a yearlong program. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least 30 hours per year.

Required Training

Volunteers must complete all training before volunteering on our patrol teams.

• Trail Ambassador Training (Required for new volunteers and a great review for returners) Training link will be sent by email. Please complete by December's social. 
  
• Trail Ambassador Social (Optional) - December 2 at 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (In-person): This event is not mandatory but we welcome everyone to come and enjoy dinner and a chance to mingle with other patrollers and learn more about the program. We also are giving away free swag! 
• CPR & First Aid Certification (Required) - This training will be hosted online and can be completed by the volunteer on their own time. If you are in need of a renewal, you will be notified by email.

Activity Level

Active - Involves physical exertion for an extended period of time; can involve rough, uneven or steep terrain. Not recommended for volunteers with physical limitations.

Contact Information

Garrett Zaffke | Community Relations and Volunteer Services Coordinator

Dakota County Communications

1590 Highway 55| Hastings, MN 55033

Direct: (651) 438-4635 | Fax: (651) 438-4405 | Email: garrett.zaffke@co.dakota.mn.us