Apple Valley’s Firefighter Memorial
September 29, 2009
At the Southeast corner of Pilot Knob Road and County Road 42 stands the Lebanon Cemetery in Apple Valley, MN.
In 2005, in conjunction with the Firefighters Relief Association, the city built a Firefighter Memorial to recognize all firefighters that have or will serve the city of Apple Valley.
From the application “The 13-foot memorial was noted as simple and very attractive. A total of 880 pavers are planned. Each monolith will have space for 280 names (to be engraved on two sides) for a total of 1,120 names. When a firefighter earns his or her badge, which takes one to two years, the firefighter’s name will be engraved. To date, there are 270 names to be engraved. It will take approximately 160 years until the memorial is full. 
Funds will be available for later engravings. The Apple Valley logo and Maltese cross are the only symbols allowed.”
Residents of Apple Valley and all of Dakota County should consider stopping by to see this moving and well done memorial in a beautiful setting.
Lakeville & Apple Valley – Transit Updates For Commuters
September 29, 2009
I-35W Park & Ride -
There was lots of news out of Lakeville this week in regard to their transit options as not 1 but 2 new bus routes opened up to connect Lakeville to downtown Minneapolis. On Monday, Governor Tim Pawlenty and a number of other dignitaries were on hand to open the new Kenrick Avenue Metro Transit Park & Ride center along I-35. The 750 space parking facility will serve commuters taking buses to downtown Minneapolis (pictured above).
Cedar Avenue Park & Ride -
In addition, competing service provider, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, is opening their first service into Lakeville which will run along Cedar Avenue. The route will use a temporary parking lot at Crossroads United Methodist Church and switch to a permanent 181 space lot on Cedar Avenue and 181st Street later in October. From there the buses will take commuters to the Apple Valley Transit Center where connections to both Minneapolis and St. Paul are available.
News Sources -
The opening of 2 routes follows a contentious time for the city of Lakeville which had resisted entering the taxing district and had been accused by Apple Valley of clogging their park & ride lots.
- In May 2008, the city of Lakeville finally agreed to enter the taxing district to get bus service – Lakeville Approves Transit Tax
- In September 2009, the city goes from 0 options to 2 almost overnight. It’s somewhat controversial as Metro Transit enters MVTA territory – Lakeville Bus Options
- On September 28th, the Governor and local officials cut the ribbon – Officials Welcome Transit Options
- The MVTA route ties into the Cedar Avenue Transitway which has caused much controversy in Apple Valley as it disrupts traditional traffic in Apple Valley – Cedar Valley Transitway
- The new Transitway has given rise to a major new Transit Center being built in Apple Valley that is being funded with federal stimulus funds – Apple Valley – Transit Center Funding
- The old 337 spot Apple Valley Transit Center is often overflowing. The new facility (1 block north on Cedar Ave.) is taking shape will address capacity issues. (old on left, new on right)
Lebanon Hills Regional Park – Dakota County’s Largest
September 14, 2009
The largest park in Dakota County is Lebanon Hills Regional Park which is located on 2,000 acres stretching across southern Eagan and Northeastern Apple Valley.
The park is popular in both the summer and winter seasons with outdoor enthusiasts, swimmers, skiers, bikers, canoe/kayakers, hikers, campers and horseback riders. According to the main Dakota County Park site -
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, and access to all the beauty the park has to offer.
Some of the resources that might help you enjoy this amazing park -
- You can find a trail map showing the miles of hiking, biking and horseback trails here – Lebanon Hills Park Summer Trail Map
- The Sierra Club has a nice web page on the park that describes the park and activities as well as discussing possible ecological threats – Sierra Club – Lebanon Hills Park
- The Minnesota Off Road Cyclists has a very detailed website on the parks mountain bike trail options. The call Lebanon Hills a “must ride trail in Minnesota”. The go into full descriptions of the different difficulty levels along with maps and pictures – MORC – Biking in Lebanon Hills
- Finally, for those interested in environmental issues, the Metropolitan Council highlighted the efforts of Dakota County’s Lebanon Hills Visitor Center and their “green” roof and rainwater collection system – Dakota County to Become “greener”
- Get outside and take advantage of this great outdoor play area.
Minnesota Zoo – Apple Valley’s Family Destination
September 9, 2009
The Minnesota Zoo (Minnesota Zoo) in Apple Valley, MN opened its doors on May 22, 1978 to great fanfare as a new concept in how they display animals.
Throughout the years it has gone numerous renovations and expansions so that it now houses 2,700 animals across 449 different species.
The Zoo is divided into 6 main sections (Wikipedia – MN Zoo Details) -
- Minnesota Trail, featuring animals native to Minnesota
- Northern Trail, featuring animals of the north (above the 45th parallel)
- Tropics Trail, an indoor walking trail featuring animals from the tropics
- Discovery Bay, an activity area themed around marine wildlife
- Russia’s Grizzly Coast, (brand new in 2009) a part-indoor, part-outdoor new multi-million exhibit featuring animals from Russia’s Far East and the Kamchatka Peninsula.
- Family Farm, a petting zoo themed around farm animals
Many Dakota County families find great value in getting a Household Membership which allows multiple trips without feeling you need to do the whole thing each time - Membership Info This works well too as their are many changes ongoing at the Zoo. For example, today’s Star Tribune points out that a batch of new dolphins will be here temporarily – Dolphins Visiting Zoo
Finally, the Minnesota Zoo is also home to a great IMAX Theater which hosts many unique shows on it’s huge screen & high-end audio system as well as 3D shows – Great Clips IMAX Theater
Farmers’ Market Locations in Dakota County
September 2, 2009
The Saint Paul Farmers’ Market operates 8 different satellite locations in Dakota County. The Farmers Market is enjoying a resurgence in popularity as consumers are searching for healthier eating alternatives and a chance to buy & support local growers.
The Market is operated by the St. Paul Growers’ Association, Inc. The association allows only fresh, locally grown produce to be sold–directly from the grower to the consumer. Also available are bakery goods, cheese, poultry, buffalo, venison, beef, pork, lamb, maple syrup, eggs, bagel sandwiches, honey, organic plants and produce, flowers, plants, shrubs and many other items (varies by location).
Here’s where you can find them:
| Inver Grove Heights Thursdays 8055 Barbara Ave June 25 – Oct 15, 09 3:30pm – 6:30pm |
Rosemount Tuesdays 13885 So Robert Trl June 23 – Sept 22, 09 2pm – 6pm |
Lakeville Wednesdays 208th & Holyoke June 17th – Oct. 28th, 09 12pm – 5pm |
South St. Paul Wednesdays 7th Avenue & Marie Ave Central Square Park June 24 – Sept 23, 09 3pm – 6:30pm |
| West St. Paul Fridays Signal Hills Mall June 19 – Oct. 30, 09 8am – 12pm |
Burnsville Thursdays Mary Mother of the Church 3333 Cliff Road May 7 – Oct 29, 2009 12pm – 5pm |
Burnsville Saturdays Diamondhead Senior Center June 20 – Oct 24, 09 7am- 12pm |
Apple Valley Saturdays 7100 W 147th Street June 20th – Oct 24th, 09 8am – 1pm |
There are also a Farmers’ Markets in Farmington (not part of St. Paul’s system):
Farmington Farmers Market – (July-October)
109 Spruce Street
Farmington, MN
Thursdays
3:00-7:00 PM
Lake Conference Changes Coming
August 29, 2009
The primary high school athletic conference serving Dakota County schools is about to go through some big changes for the 2010-2011 season. There are currently 12 teams in the Lake Conference but the Minnesota High School League is forcing the Lake to take 4 large high schools (Wayzata, Minnetonka, Hopkins & Edina) and integrate them into current Conference. While Chaska & Chanhassen were already leaving the Conference, forcing the Lake to have 14 teams and forcing the Dakota County schools to compete with the much larger west metro schools is probably going to get them to create their own conference and blow the whole thing up.
John Millea at the Star Tribune has been following this story closely – Four Teams Shift to Lake Conference
Lake Conference officials did not want all four Classic Lake schools placed in their league and there has been speculation that the Lake would splinter if that happened. After Tuesday’s decision, that became more of a possibility.
The most likely outcome will be that the 4 District 196 schools (Eagan, Rosemount, Eastview & Apple Valley), the 2 District 194 schools (Lakeville North & Lakeville South), District 191’s Burnsville High and possibly the 2 Bloomington schools will defect to create a new conference. This would basically have the effect of booting Eden Prairie out of the current configuration to go join the other 4 new schools. The schools have until October 1st to create a new conference so we’ll know something soon.
Many homeowners buy their homes with their children’s high school sports in mind so the changes happening in Minnesota’s premier high school athletic conference do matter.
District 196 – School District of Choice for Homebuyers
August 23, 2009
Minnesota School District #196 is the 4th largest district in Minnesota with over 150,000 residents and 27,000 students. The district covers Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan and parts of Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville and Burnsville. It has long been recognized as one of the premier school districts in Minnesota for student achievement along with excellent extra curricular programs. As a resident of #196 for the past 22 years I can personally attest to their quality.
As the district gears up for the 2009-10 school year they just published their Spotlight Newsletter for Fall 2009 (#196 Fall 2009 Spotlight) and as usual I turned to the Superintendent’s Message. This fall the district has a new Superintendent, Jane Berenz, so this was her first “Spotlight” message.
As a real estate agent I found it both interesting and insightful that she ended her 2nd to last paragraph this way -
I am confident we will remain a district of choice among people looking for a place to buy a home and raise a family
Let me know how I can help you find that perfect home in District #196!
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