The first park of its kind opens in Dodge County

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Just in time to enjoy the fall colors, a new park recently opened in Dodge County.

Restoration Park is the first of its kind in the county to focus on active recreation. Unlike the county’s other two sites, which are historic parks, visitors can hike more than a mile of trails spanning 32 acres of land. Those who visit the park can hike through tall grass prairie, forest and wetlands.

The county purchased the land in 2016 and began planting the prairie two years ago before recently removing invasive plants.

Jackson Miller, environmental program manager with Dodge County Environmental Services, said he thinks it’s an opportunity to give back to the community.

“I think it’s an opportunity for people to engage with nature,” Miller said. “I think for me it’s just a really rewarding process to see that the work we’ve put in over the last two to three years has paid off and people are walking here with their kids and their dogs.”

The park is a collaborative effort between local schools and volunteer groups and is funded by several donors, including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Restoration Park is open from morning to evening, seven days a week. Miller said the county is looking to construct a nature center-like building at the park entrance at a later date.

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