Dakota County, MN


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Dakota County Adopt-a-Highway Program

Adopt a Highway Program

The Adopt-a-Highway Program looks for volunteers to collect litter along designated segments of County highways to help keep roadsides clean. Coordination of the program and supplies (safety vests, trash bags and training) are provided by the Dakota County Transportation Department.

Interested? Check to see what sections of roadway are available for adoption on the Adopt-a-Highway map.

Fill in an application

Dakota County Community Corrections

Internship Opportunities

 

Community Corrections has a broad range of volunteer and intern opportunities available. We offer unique opportunities, whether you want to contribute to your community or are a student looking for work experience to fulfill academic requirements. Position openings vary throughout the year.

 

Examples of volunteer and intern opportunities

  • Help with juvenile offenders engaged in community projects
  • Assist probation officers in juvenile or adult supervision
  • Assist juveniles participating in extended day treatment
  • Perform computer queries on information systems
  • Help manage paperwork  

 

Volunteer Opportunities

 

Community Corrections has a broad range of volunteer and intern opportunities available. We offer unique opportunities, whether you want to contribute to your community or are a student looking for work experience to fulfill academic requirements. Position openings vary throughout the year.

 

Examples of volunteer and intern opportunities

  • Help with juvenile offenders engaged in community projects
  • Assist probation officers in juvenile or adult supervision
  • Assist juveniles participating in extended day treatment
  • Perform computer queries on information systems
  • Help manage paperwork  

 

Fill in an application

Dakota County General Volunteer and Internship Opportunities

Citizen Advisory Committees

Dakota County Citizen Advisory Committees support county government by involving citizens in the decision-making process, meeting requirements of state law, helping to define community norms and standards, providing technical expertise, serving as advocates, offering feedback, and reflecting the diverse interests of Dakota County clients and residents.

Fill in an application

Dakota County Library

Burnhaven Library, Burnsville

Address
1101 W County Road 42
Burnsville, MN 55306

Phone
952-891-0300

Regular Hours
Monday–Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Closed on holidays


 

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


 

Heritage Library, Lakeville

Address
20085 Heritage Dr
Lakeville, MN 55044

Phone
952-891-0360

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


 

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


 

Kaposia Library, South St. Paul

 

Address
131 Seventh Ave. N

South St. Paul, MN 55075


Phone
651-480-0900

Regular Hours
Monday–Thursday: noon - 8:00 p.m.
Friday and 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.


 

Wentworth Library, West St. Paul

Address
199 East Wentworth Ave
West St. Paul, MN 55118

Phone
651-554-6800

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


 

Fill in an application

Dakota County Parks

Dakota Woods Dog Park

Help maintain your dog's mental and physicals health by getting them outside to roam. Dakota Woods Dog Park is a 16-acre, fenced-in, wooded park that is a great place to let your dog run and exercise on and off-leash. The park is centrally located in Dakota County, just east of Rosemount and north of Farmington.  

Lake Byllesby Regional Park

Lake Byllesby Regional Park is nestled in the scenic Cannon River Valley on Lake Byllesby Reservoir, the largest lake in southern Dakota County. This beautiful park offers vast open space for a variety of year-round activities including cooling off in the splash pad or lake, staying overnight in our campsite, or taking a boat ride to take in the sheer cliff facings on shore that are hundreds of years old. Make sure to catch a glimpse of the Lake Byllesby Dam before you leave.

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Lebanon Hills Regional Park is the crown jewel and largest park in the Dakota County park system. Containing almost 2,000 acres, the park offers miles of trails and many lakes for year-round outdoor sports, recreation and environmental education. The Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, located in the eastern section of the park, offers park information, interactive nature displays, courses and programs for all ages, and equipment rentals. 

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.

Miesville Ravine Park Reserve

Miesville Ravine Park Reserve is a large nature preserve that provides miles of trails for you to enjoy the picturesque Cannon River Valley. Located at the confluence of Trout Brook and the Cannon River near Miesville, this beautiful park offers the feel of scenic southeastern Minnesota in our very own backyard.

Spring Lake Park Reserve

Enjoy the feel of northern Minnesota from this scenic park that overlooks the Mississippi River. A rest stop along the Great River Road, Spring Lake Park Reserve is the "hidden jewel" of the Upper Mississippi River Valley. The Schaar’s Bluff Trailhead and picnic area provide a scenic overlook of the Mississippi River Valley as well as access to summer hiking and winter ski trails.

Thompson County Park

This charming 57-acre park provides a quiet get-a-way in the midst of West St. Paul. The park features a large picnic and playground area that overlooks Thompson Lake and miles of wooded trails that link Thompson County Park to Kaposia Park and to the Mississippi River Regional Trail. Thompson County Park is also the home of the Dakota Lodge — a four-season event center that is perfect for weddings, reunions, meetings, banquets, retreats, parties and much more.

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! 

Whitetail Woods Regional Park

Whitetail Woods Regional Park is located in Empire Township in the center of Dakota County, one mile north of the Vermillion River. Whitetail Woods provides year round fun from sledding down hill in the winter to enjoying a walk through the flowering prairie during the spring to taking in the relaxing sounds of an outdoor concert during the summer. Looking to get away for a weekend? Unique cabins for rent offer year-round comfy lodging for you and your family to explore the outdoors.

Fill in an application