Dakota County's Riverfront Park And River Greenway: Grand Opening

BURNSVILLE, MN — The Minnesota Riverfront Park, located at 600 Black Dog Road West, will soon give residents and visitors an extraordinary way to get up close to the river valley and its nature. The park is also home to the trailhead of the newly built Black Dog segment of Dakota County’s Minnesota River Greenway.

The 3.75-mile segment of paved trail stretches from the park, along the river, through Xcel Energy’s Black Dog power plant property and on to Minnesota Highway 77/Cedar Avenue.

Grand Opening

A grand opening celebration is planned for the park and trail during this summer’s I Love Burnsville Week.

• What: Minnesota Riverfront Park, Minnesota River Greenway Grand Opening
• Who: Open to the public, all ages
• When: Saturday, June 3 | 10 a.m. – noon
• Where: Minnesota Riverfront Park | 600 Black Dog Road W.
• Cost: FREE

The event will include a program, ribbon cutting, refreshments and activities along the trail for the whole family, according to a news release. Attendees are encouraged to bring bicycles, scooters and other non-motorized vehicles to explore the trail.

About the Park

The 1.8-acre Minnesota Riverfront Park offers amenities such as picnic tables, a grilling area, a bicycle repair
station and a parking lot.

About the Trail

The Black Dog segment of the Minnesota River Greenway is ideal for walking or biking, and includes an
observation deck overlooking the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and wildlife viewing areas.

In total, the Minnesota River Greenway travels 17 miles through Burnsville, Eagan, Mendota Heights, Mendota and Lilydale before landing at Saint Paul’s Lilydale Regional Park. From there, trails continue to Harriet Island and downtown Saint Paul.

The hope is that trail connections will one day extend across the Minnesota River, to the planned Minnesota Valley State Trail and multiple trail loop opportunities within the river valley.

Image via Google Streetview