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Dakota County 4-H and University of Minnesota Extension
Dakota County Environmental Resources
Fix-It Clinics
Fix-It Clinics provide an opportunity for residents to receive free assistance from repair savvy volunteers guiding them through each step from troubleshooting to completed repair.
Several volunteer opportunities are available to help at a Fix-It Clinic. Volunteer fixers who have skills in soldering, electronics repair, electrical repair, sewing, wood working and general tinkering are essential to making the clinics successful. General volunteers to greet residents are needed as well.
- 01.19: Fix-It Clinic - Mendota Heights
- 02.15: Fix-It Clinic - Apple Valley
- 03.15: Fix-It Clinic - West St. Paul
- 05.17: Fix-It Clinic - Hastings
- 06.21: Fix-It Clinic - Lakeville
- 07.20: Fix-It Clinic - Eagan
- 08.16: Fix-It Clinic - Inver Grove Heights
- 09.20: Fix-It Clinic - Rosemount
- 10.18: Fix-It Clinic - Farmington
- 11.15: Fix-It Clinic - South St. Paul
- 12.06: Fix-It Clinic - St. Paul
Green Squad - Event Waste Management Assistance
Green Squad volunteers help our county events recycle more and create less waste. Green Squad volunteers are composed of Dakota County Recycling Ambassadors who are trained to be good stewards of our resources and to help others make smart decisions when it comes to recycling and waste management.
ATTENTION: Volunteers must first complete Dakota County's Recycling Ambassador program & training to participate in Green Squad events.
Dakota County Historical Society
LeDuc Historic Estate - Hastings, MN
LeDuc Historic Estate was built between 1862 and 1866 by William Gates LeDuc and his wife Mary LeDuc near the Vermillion River in Hastings, Minnesota. The LeDucs were prominent early settlers of Minnesota and played significant roles in the state's growth from a territory to a state. Take a step back in time and hear stories about the LeDuc family and the history of the 1800s.
1629 Vermillion Street
Hastings, MN 55033
651-438-8480
Get Directions
The Estate is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from May 15 through October 25 and on special occasion the rest of the year.
Dakota County Library
Farmington Library, Farmington
Address
508 Third St.
Farmington, MN 55024
Phone
651-438-0250
Regular Hours
Monday–Wednesday: Noon - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday–Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Closed on holidays
Galaxie Library, Apple Valley
Address
14955 Galaxie Ave.
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Phone
952-891-7045
Hours
Monday–Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Closed on holidays
Inver Glen Library, Inver Grove Heights
Address
8098 Blaine Ave
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
Phone
651-554-6840
Regular Hours
Monday–Wednesday: Noon – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday–Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Closed on holidays
Pleasant Hill Library, Hastings
Address
1490 South Frontage Rd.
Hastings, MN 55033
Phone
651-438-0200
Regular Hours
Monday–Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Closed on holidays
Robert Trail Library, Rosemount
Address
14395 S. Robert Trail
Rosemount, MN 55068
Phone
651-480-1200
Regular Hours
Monday–Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Closed on holidays.
Wescott Library, Eagan
Address
1340 Wescott Road
Eagan MN 55123-1029
Phone
651-450-2900
Regular Hours
Monday–Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Closed on holidays
Dakota County Parks
Lebanon Hills Regional Park - New Year's Eve Party in the Wild - Dec. 31, 2024
Yeti for some winter fun? Ring in the new year and celebrate all things winter with ice skating on a frozen lake, hiking/snowshoeing through the woods lit by over 1,200 luminaries, warm up by a roaring bonfire while toasting marshmallows and end the night with our own one-of-a-kind ball drop! Join us in making fun memories for our community as we wrap up the year together.
Everyone who volunteers during the event will get access into the event and a dinner voucher to use at one of the participating food trucks onsite during the event. This event is great for families, singles, date night couples, etc. Various opportunities are available to help support the event before, during, and after the big day.
To ensure a high-quality experience, pre-registration is required to volunteer at this event. Space is limited and spots fill quickly. Check out the roster below to explore what opportunities are available to sign up for.
- 12.31: New Year's Eve Party - Admissions Assistant - Woodcrest Church
- 12.31: New Year's Eve Party - Bilingual Admissions Assistant (Spanish) - Visitor Center
- 12.31: New Year's Eve Party - Bilingual Admissions Assistant (Spanish) - Woodcrest Church
- 12.31: New Year's Eve Party - Bilingual Event Greeter (Spanish) - Outside
- 12.31: New Year's Eve Party - Lebbie the Yeti Handler
- 12.31: New Year's Eve Party - Luminary Set-up & Lighting Volunteer
- 12.31: New Year's Eve Party - Shuttle Bus Greeter & Bonfire Tender - Woodcrest Church
- 12.31: New Year's Eve Party - Sledding Hill Monitor
- 12.31: New Year's Eve Party - Trail Patrol (Walk/Snowshoe) - Patrol Volunteers Only
Spring Lake Park Reserve: Trails By Candlelight - February 7, 2025
Take in the stunning views of the Mississippi River by starlight and candlelight at the Trails By Candlelight event at Spring Lake Park Reserve in Hastings. A variety of cross-county ski, snowshoe, hiking, and walking trails with varying distances will be lit with hundreds of candles. When you need a break, stop by one of our roaring bonfires to warm up and roast a marshmallow. Enjoy some winter time fun for the whole family.
Volunteers are needed to help support multiple activities before, during, and after the event to make this event a success. All volunteers will receive free access to the event and volunteers who help during the event will receive a dinner voucher to use at one of our participating food trucks. To ensure a high quality experience, pre-registration is required to volunteer. Space is limited and spots fill quickly. Check out the roster below to see what opportunities are available.
- 2.07: Trails By Candlelight SLPR - Bonfire Tender
- 2.07: Trails By Candlelight SLPR - Bonfire Tender Floater
- 2.07: Trails By Candlelight SLPR - Event Admissions Assistant - Outside
- 2.07: Trails By Candlelight SLPR - Event Admissions Assistant - Outside (Bilingual)
- 2.07: Trails By Candlelight SLPR - Event Greeter - Outside
- 2.07: Trails By Candlelight SLPR - Event Support Assistant and Greeter (Bilingual)
- 2.07: Trails By Candlelight SLPR - Hot Cocoa Assistants
- 2.07: Trails By Candlelight SLPR - Luminary Set-up and Lighting Volunteer
- 2.07: Trails By Candlelight SLPR - Trail Patrol (Ski Patrol)
- 2.07: Trails By Candlelight SLPR - Trail Patrol (Trail Patrol)
- 2.08: Trails By Candlelight SLPR - Luminary Removal Volunteer
Thompson County Park: Trails By Candlelight - January 24, 2025
Take a walk around the lake and through the woods by flickering candlelight at the Trails By Candlelight event at Thompson County Park in West St. Paul. A variety of snowshoe, hiking and walking trails with varying distances will be lit with hundreds of candles. When you need a break, stop by one of our crackling bonfires to warm up and roast a marshmallow. Fun for the whole family.
Volunteers of all ages are needed to help support multiple activities before, during, and after to help make this event a success. All volunteers will receive free access to the event (except event takedown volunteers - you get free breakfast) and volunteers who help during the event will receive a dinner voucher to use at one of our participating food trucks. To ensure a high quality experience, pre-registration is required to volunteer. Space is limited and spots fill quickly. Check out the roster below to see what opportunities are available.
- 1.24: Trails By Candlelight TCP - Bonfire Tender
- 1.24: Trails By Candlelight TCP - Bonfire Tender Floater
- 1.24: Trails By Candlelight TCP - Event Admission Assistant - Outside (Bilingual)
- 1.24: Trails By Candlelight TCP - Event Admissions Assistant - Outside
- 1.24: Trails By Candlelight TCP - Event Greeter - Outside
- 1.24: Trails By Candlelight TCP - Event Support Assistant and Greeter (Bilingual)
- 1.24: Trails By Candlelight TCP - Hot Cocoa Assistants
- 1.24: Trails By Candlelight TCP - Luminary Set-up and Lighting Volunteer
- 1.24: Trails By Candlelight TCP - Trail Patrol (Trail Patrol)
- 1.25: Trails By Candlelight TCP - Luminary Removal Volunteer
Volunteer Trail Patrol
Enjoy the outdoors while assisting park visitors with questions, directions, and providing an extra support measure in case of emergencies. Our patrol units offer a vital service to our county parks by providing trained individual assistance to our park users, helping to keep everyone happy and safe on our park and regional trails. Volunteer while personally enjoying the trails yourself, so easy and fun!