Lebanon Hills Getting New Master Plan

Since 2001, the last time Dakota County prepared a master plan for Lebanon Hills Regional Park, the park's annual attendance has nearly doubled from 274,000 visitors per year to 543,000.

In August, the county will present a new master plan for its largest park that will include more than 40 miles of unpaved trails, a new paved 6.5-mile connector trail and two lake loops around Holland and McDonough lakes.

The connector trail should open the park year-round to bikers and walkers and make it more accessible to people with physical disabilities.

The county has delineated other goals for the 2,000 acre park on its website:

• Strategically protect and improve the park’s ecological resources
• Complete existing visitor use areas, while maintaining the park’s natural character
• Fill gaps in basic, popular park activities, such as picnicking, bicycling and walking
• Design the park connector trail and regional greenway connections
• Strengthen partnerships to deliver effective and efficient services