Eagan News
Last year Cascade Bay installed a rooftop lightning detection system, similar to those many golf courses use. Covering the expense were hazard mitigation funds from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management division.
The system, set at a three-mile radius, alerts park workers of nearby lightning. In its first season last summer, alerts were sent several times. “It’s a great resource for our staff,” says Mark Vaughan, facility manager. “We no longer have to make that hard decision of when to close facilities due to dangerous lightning — the computer system does that for us.” And that helps keep everyone safe at Eagan’s parks.
The Minnesota Legislature recently approved the enactment of Chapter 342 of MN Statutes which provides for the regulation of adult use cannabis starting Aug. 1, 2023.
This legislation allows local units of government to adopt reasonable restrictions on the time, place, and manner of the operation of a cannabis business and the use of cannabis in public spaces.
The City of Eagan hosted a public hearing on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at the City Council meeting regarding the consideration of a cannabis moratorium. Following a public hearing on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, the Council voted to enact a moratorium, halting the operation of cannabis business until January 1, 2025 so that the City can study zoning, regulation, and enforcement options.
- Zoning — Cannabis businesses will simply be another type of legal business, subject to the city’s general zoning regulations. Cities may not ban the operation of cannabis businesses but may choose which zoning districts will allow them. The city may choose which zoning districts will allow cannabis businesses; the city cannot ban those businesses. The city should therefore designate at least one zoning district allowing cannabis businesses.
- Regulation — The City may not license businesses, ban businesses, or ban use or possession. However, the city may adopt ordinances with reasonable restrictions on the time, place, and manner of the operation of a cannabis business. For example, the City may consider limiting the operation of the cannabis business within a certain distance from schools or daycares.
- Enforcement & Compliance — The enforcement of cannabis sales and use will be conducted by local law enforcement and the State Office of Cannabis Management.
USE OF CANNABIS IN PUBLIC PLACES
As of August 1, 2023, cannabis use is legal in private residences, on private property unless prohibited by the owner, or other premises licensed for on-site consumption.
Unless the City adopts an ordinance prohibiting it, use in public spaces such as parks, trails, and sidewalks is legal. The City may not ban the possession or transportation of legal quantities of cannabis.
Following evaluation by public safety and the city attorney’s office, the City Council will hold a public hearing (date to be determined) and consider a proposed ordinance to prohibit use in public spaces.
We are planning our future fun, connections, and spaces, so we all can thrive.
Eagan residents love their parks and recreation opportunities. Nearly nine in 10 residents rate our parks a priority, and we work to reflect that community value. Our community boasts an extensive parks system with 60 parks and wide-ranging facilities and amenities, including trails, a water park, a splash pad, an ice arena, outdoor rinks, a community center, pavilions, accessible spaces, neighborhood play areas, and more.
Keeping Parks Current and Inclusive
“Over the past 10 years, we’ve re-envisioned and built many of the city’s parks and public spaces to meet the needs of our growing and diversifying community,” says Andrew Pimental, Eagan’s director of Parks & Recreation.
Besides the amenities mentioned above, Parks & Rec has focused on building pickleball courts to cater to local fans of America’s fastest-growing sport, adding inclusion spaces like Nature Play at Patrick Eagan Park and Destination All-Play at Woodhaven Park, and updating historical sites like Holz Farm to serve as learning venues for future generations.
“The City of Eagan is committed to making sure parks and recreation are available for all ages, interests, and abilities and we’re always planning for our future,” Pimental says. “In 2019, we began studying how our parks
and recreation facilities will need to evolve to serve you, your neighbors, and our future.”
Next Steps for Three Key Spaces
That 2019 study found that our current facilities are aging and need updates, so in the coming years the City is planning to invest in the following parks and recreation facilities:
Eagan Art House is our community place to create and connect. “This 1950s rambler-style building has been open since 1997 and hosts over 6,000 guests a year,” says Tanya Mozingo, Eagan’s recreation program manager. “The current building has served the community well, but maintaining it is no longer sustainable. It’s time to create a new, accessible space for our thousands of users.”
Eagan Community Center is our community hub for connection. Hundreds of community members visit the ECC every day for exercise classes, bingo, pickleball, gatherings, meetings, and more. It’s also where our community comes together for events, meetings, and activities. “Recreation needs shift over time, and we’ve seen many changes since the ECC was built in 2003,” says Jared Flewellen, Eagan’s assistant parks & recreation director. “We’re looking at how to adjust programs and amenities to serve everyone even better at the ECC.
Goat Hill Park is a winter play destination for skating, hockey, and more. A partnership with the Eagan Hockey Association allowed the City to install a refrigerated rink in the fall of 2022 to better support the community’s winter activities. To expand this amenity, a new shelter and pavilion will make the space even more of a winter destination and a year-round amenity.
When you live or do business in Eagan, you invest in our parks and recreation opportunities. It’s what has made Eagan such a successful city and strong community. As the above projects mature, we’ll share more information on funding in the coming months.
Eagan’s investment in our parks and recreation facilities benefit the entire community. New facilities will provide more space for people to play, create, and connect. New programs will provide more opportunities for people to be active and healthy. Eagan is already a wonderful place to live, work, and play, and these investments will support our future fun and connections so everyone can thrive. Learn more about the projects and watch how we are planning to transition these community amenities at cityofeagan.com/parkprojects.
We are proud to announce that Eagan has been rated the 11th best city to live in the United States for families by Fortune Magazine. Their analysis of 1,900 cities nationwide considered factors like healthcare, education, resources for older adults, affordability, walkability, and the city's well-being index. See https://fortune.com/well/ranking/best-places-families/
Eagan's Mayor Mike Maguire explains how the city's spaces and opportunities for residents helped Eagan place highly on the list, "Eagan also values inclusion, and providing places, spaces, top-notch schools and opportunities for everyone. This is what makes us one of the most family-friendly cities in America." Eagan's vision, values, and ability to invest in green spaces and recreation make this city a great place for families.
Eagan has a strong focus on the public health and wellness culture. From easy access to healthy food and health care options to our various corporations like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Summit Orthopedics calling Eagan home, we have built a community that supports positive health outcomes. Eagan has seven grocers, with two additional national grocers building in Eagan now. The city also offers resources like Open Door Food Shelf and weekly Eagan Market Fest, which provides residents with fresh, affordable produce.
Eagan's large-scale fitness centers, niche fitness clubs, and the YMCA complement our community center. And our community development makes this city a place to play, discover, create, connect, and grow.
Fortune Well started the Fortune 50 Best Places to Live for Families ranking last year aiming to help movers to have a sense of where they may be most likely to thrive. This March, a Harris poll conducted on behalf of Fortune found that nearly half of Americans plan to move within the next two years. With more Americans looking to relocate, this ranking analyzes each city's education, aging resources, general wellness, financial health and livability, providing movers with an accurate starting point in their relocation journey.
We are under an air quality alert until 6 a.m. tomorrow, June 15. For that reason, we are canceling certain activities this evening to ensure everyone’s health.
June 14:
- Cascade Bay — open thru 7:15 p.m.
- Adult Softball — canceled
- Adult Sand Volleyball — canceled
- Pickleball leagues — canceled
- Eagan Market Fest — open from 4–8 p.m.
Check the City’s recreation hotline for the most up-to-date information on your event or check your email for specific information on your activity. 651-675-5511
To learn about the status of your event/activity on June 15, please call the hotline. We will be updating the information for Cardio Bay and Cascade Bay in the morning.
Hotline: 651-675-5511
We are proud to announce that Eagan Public Works Director, Russ Matthys was named one of the Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA). The APWA is the largest Public Works organization in the United States with over 30,000 members.
In its 64th year, this award is one of APWA’s highest honors and is based on a lifetime of professional contributions. According to APWA, recipients of the awards are chosen by past Top Ten recipients and embody professionalism, expertise, and personal dedication to improving the quality of life in their communities through the advancement of public works services and technology.
Last November, Matthys was also honored with the APWA’s Minnesota Chapter’s award for years of superior service to the organization and their peers.
In every successful city, there is a team of leaders who shoulder the responsibility of guiding and shaping its future. Eagan's leaders play a crucial role in driving excellence and fostering an inclusive, thriving community and workspace. Our leaders work tirelessly to ensure the overall well-being and progress of Eagan. We are lucky to have Russ Matthys as one of these leaders in Eagan.
Matthys has worked in public works for 33 years. Twenty-five of those years have been for the City of Eagan, with 10 and a half as director of public works. As the public works director, Matthys oversees the overall administration and management of the Public Works Department. He ensures the streets, infrastructure systems, lakes, and facilities are planned, installed, and maintained in an economically and environmentally responsible manner to effectively meet the needs and the welfare of the community.
Matthys says one of his biggest accomplishments as a public works director has been managing nearly a billion dollars worth of City assets. Matthys’ contribution to the City has made those assets more efficient, operative, and economical. “The most exciting part of my job is knowing I get to help our residents by enhancing their quality of life,” Matthys said. “My goal is to help make Eagan a community where everyone thrives through accessibility — to roads, walkways, and trails, to healthy and safe water, and to infrastructure that supports our residents and businesses. And I want to do so while serving the needs of today, but also ensuring our community’s success for future generations.”
“We at the City of Eagan appreciate all Russ does for our community,” City Administrator Dianne Miller said. “This is a well-deserved award — Russ has worked tirelessly to make our operations and services more efficient and effective. And every day we see how he invests his time into our people, best practices, and growing the public works profession to help empower and build the next generation of public servants to keep all of our communities strong.”
“The City is proud to have Russ as one of our countless teammates who go above and beyond to serve our community each and every day,” Mayor Mike Maguire said. “To be frank, this award doesn’t surprise me, because I see Russ’ enthusiasm for the work he does, and how he inspires his entire team to make sure our public infrastructure works for our residents, businesses, and those who play here in Eagan.”
Congrats, Russ! We are proud to have you as a member of #TeamEagan!
Our Hub For Connection
Did you know hundreds of community members visit the Eagan Community Center (ECC) every day for exercise classes, bingo, pickleball, and more?
The ECC is Eagan’s go-to for fitness, wellness classes, indoor markets, event spaces, and connections. It’s where our community comes together for events like Eagan’s Indoor Market, open gym time, 50+ club activities, weddings, affordable meeting spaces, and more. At the ECC, our focus is keeping people of all ages active and connected, whatever their interests and abilities
Something For Everyone
Toddlers love to run and play during our preschool open gym while parents and caregivers connect. And older kids gravitate to the Blast, our space-themed indoor playground. It’s the perfect place to burn off some energy and play with friends when it may be too hot, too cold, or too wet to play outside. The Blast is a stellar place to host birthday parties too.
As for adult exercise, ECC members can access more than 70 pieces of equipment, choose from more than 40 fitness classes per week, and participate in our hugely popular court sports.
Meanwhile, Eagan 50+ Seniors connects residents with a variety of programs, services, and events, including art classes, bunco games, and pizza parties, plus a discussion series and group outings.
Central Park
Truly, there’s an event or activity for every season in Central Park, including Eagan Market Fest, Fun Fest, the Food Truck Festival, walking trails, the Splash Pad, the bandshell, and more. Plus, its surrounding park provides a fantastic destination for outdoor activities.
We know people use the ECC in countless ways. As community interests change over time, we’re always looking to adapt and make sure the ECC provides value to our Eagan residents. Park facilities planners are constantly learning and implementing new ideas and ways to use our community’s spaces. We never stop planning and visioning our future, connections, and spaces so we can all thrive.
Visit Us Online
The ECC has a new website to help you connect with your activities and community. Visit eagancommunitycenter.com.
