Scott County Launches New Website to Help Residents Get Moving

Finding a new running trail, disc golf course or place to ride horses in Scott County just got a whole lot easier.

A new website, GoScottGo.org, is lauded by county officials as the one-stop shop for all things recreation in the county.

“It provides resources so people can more easily integrate physical activity into their daily lives,” said Andy Hingeveld, associate planner with Scott County.

He presented an overview of the website to the Scott County Board at its regular meeting Tuesday morning.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Scott County Commissioner Dave Menden. “People get tired of jogging the same old streets in their neighborhood.”

One of the goals is encouraging the exploration of new trails, Hingeveld said.

“People can be apprehensive due to safety concerns,” he said. “This site brings new places to them.”

To that end, the website's comprehensive list of trails, parks and other recreational locales includes maps, photos and links to other websites.

The site’s main component, according to Hingeveld, is a system that helps people map out their own walking, biking and running routes. Users can also find parks and trails close to their home, search by city, and browse a calendar with community events ranging from family bike rides to 5K fun runs.

A resource directory also highlights relevant businesses and informational resources on how to be safe while maintaining an active lifestyle.

GoScottGo.org was born out of a collaboration with Carver County, which launched GoCarverGo.org in 2008. It was funded through a grant from the Statewide Health Improvement Program of the Minnesota Department of Health. The county’s Parks and Trails Department will maintain the site.

The Scott County site also will provide Carver County recreational information, an important fact in the eyes of Scott County Commissioner Barbara Marschall.

“I know when I talk to people, they want to explore new places,” she said.