Purpose

This bill would provide state funding to replace and upgrade park buildings and facilities in Dakota County regional parks. It would use state bond proceeds to support design, construction, furnishing, and equipping of new facilities, replacing ones that are degraded, unsafe, or undersized. The improvements focus on accessibility, safety, and energy efficiency and are intended to enhance two regional parks and their campgrounds.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation of $20,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development.
• The funds would be granted to Dakota County to design, construct, furnish, and equip replacements for structurally degraded, unsafe, and undersized buildings, facilities, and infrastructure in Dakota County regional parks.
• Specific projects include:
  • Lebanon Hills Regional Park:
  • Replacement and improvements to the swimming beach facility.
  • Fully accessible restrooms and showers.
  • All-terrain wheelchair and watercraft storage.
  • Energy-efficient electrical and mechanical systems.
  • Improvements to include a swimming beach facility patio, trails, and an outdoor open area for concessions and other amenities.
  • Schulze Lake Beach facility improvements (infrastructure).
• Campground improvements:
  • Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Lake Byllesby Regional Park.
  • Updated campground lodge and office facilities with storm shelter areas.
  • Fully accessible restrooms and shower buildings.
  • Trails and other campground facilities and infrastructure.

Funding and Bonding

• Subdivision 2 authorizes the sale and issuance of state bonds up to $20,000,000.
• Bonding would be conducted in the manner prescribed by Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and the Minnesota Constitution, Article XI, sections 4 to 7.

Implementation and Oversight

• The appropriation is to be used as a grant to Dakota County, administered through the commissioner of employment and economic development.
• The bill specifies design, construction, furnishing, and equipping of replacements but does not enumerate ongoing operations or maintenance beyond the stated improvements.

Geographic Scope

• Dakota County regional parks, including:
  • Lebanon Hills Regional Park (swimming beach facility and related improvements)
  • Schulze Lake Beach (infrastructure improvements)
  • Lake Byllesby Regional Park (campground improvements)

Significance and Impacts

• Upgrades critical park infrastructure to modern standards, focusing on safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency.
• Enhances park experiences with improved swimming beach facilities, accessible amenities, and better campground facilities.
• Uses state bond funding to support local capital improvements funded through a county grant program.

Notable Terminology (used in or inferred from the bill)

• bond proceeds fund
• grant to Dakota County
• design, construct, furnish, equip
• replacement of structurally degraded, unsafe, undersized facilities
• Dakota County regional parks
• Lebanon Hills Regional Park
• Schulze Lake Beach
• Lake Byllesby Regional Park
• swimming beach facility
• accessible restrooms and showers
• all-terrain wheelchair storage
• watercraft storage
• energy-efficient electrical/mechanical systems
• campground lodge
• storm shelter areas
• fully accessible facilities
• trails
• concessions

Relevant Terms Dakota County regional parks; Lebanon Hills Regional Park; Schulze Lake Beach; Lake Byllesby Regional Park; bond proceeds fund; grant to Dakota County; commissioner of employment and economic development; design; construct; furnish; equip; replacement; accessibility; restrooms; showers; energy-efficient systems; campground lodge; storm shelter; trails; watercraft storage; all-terrain wheelchair storage; bonding authority; Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675; Minnesota Constitution Article XI.