Celebrate Earth Month With Eagan Sustainability
For the second year in a row, Eagan is hosting a full lineup of free events to celebrate our city’s natural beauty and strong community — this time, all April long during Earth Month. Join us for hands-on activities and meaningful ways to connect and take action to make a positive impact on Eagan’s environment.
Read about Earth Month in Eagan
Thank You For Your Service, Chief Searle
After a distinguished 34-year career, Fire Chief Hugo Searle has concluded his fire service with the Eagan Fire Department. During nearly five years as Eagan’s fire chief, he strengthened the City’s full-time fire department model, improved emergency response times, and fostered a culture rooted in teamwork, mentorship, and service.
“Chief Searle has been an outstanding leader for Eagan,” Mayor Mike Maguire said. “He left an indelible mark on the Eagan Fire Department and on me as mayor. His commitment to teamwork, continuous improvement, and community service has strengthened our Fire Department and enhanced public safety across the City.”
The City of Eagan thanks Chief Searle for his years of service and dedication to our community and wishes him all the best in his retirement.
Read about Chief Searle's retirement
Memorial Plaza To Honor Female Veterans
Twenty-five years ago, Eagan dedicated the Tribute and Memorial Plaza to honor first responders and military service members and veterans.
ETV Film Fest Entries Open Now
Eagan TV is now accepting entries for the ninth-annual Eagan Film Festival. This year brings exciting changes, including the acceptance of feature-length films and the expansion of the festival to two days — Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26 — at Emagine Eagan. Submit your film before the regular deadline to save money on the entry fee.
Entry categories include features, shorts, documentaries, animation, Minnesota Connection, Queer Stories, BIPOC Voices, and Women in Focus.
Deadlines
• Regular deadline: Friday, May 15
• Last-chance deadline: Friday, June 26
For more information or to submit your film, visit cityofeagan.com/eagan-film-festival.
State Of The City Highlights How Community Voices Shape Eagan
During this year’s State of the City, Mayor Mike Maguire focused on how community members’ voices guide Eagan forward.
This event — which took place Thursday, March 19, at the CLA Connection Center in Eagan — celebrated those voices and the shared sense of community that makes the City a place to live, work, play, do business — and thrive together.
Eagan is growing but with intention, he noted, adding that community voices are key to planning our future. This is evident in community input in our development decisions, as in the recent data center moratorium adopted by the City Council. The City has decided to pause and gather information, so that when such projects move forward, they ensure our community’s long-term interests are protected.
Mayor Maguire also discussed connections built through conversation with community members, particularly in recent months when many immigrant families experienced heightened anxiety, uncertainty, and fear due to locally increased federal immigration enforcement activity.
Community engagement was the overarching theme throughout the Mayor’s speech.
“When residents engage at meetings, on commissions, at events, in workshops, or online,” he said, “they help us see our city through new perspectives — including perspectives that challenge us and push us to do better.”
Watch the State of the City at youtube.com/cityofeagan.
Landscaping For Clean Water
This year marks the 19th year of Dakota County’s Landscaping for Clean Water program. That’s nearly two decades of teaching residents how to create beautiful gardens that improve water quality, benefit pollinators, and protect shorelines.
Over the years, the program’s more than 6,000 participants have installed over 850 projects in Dakota County. That’s a lot of water protection!
These free educational classes are offered virtually and in person, and cover garden design, natural shoreline, and garden maintenance. Plus, homeowners can apply for $400 grants to help install a raingarden, native garden, or native shoreline planting.
Another Dakota County offering is Lawns Reimagined. This free workshop debuted last year, and helps participants move toward using less water and fertilizer, which also means less time mowing. Yes, you read that right: You can spend less time mowing your lawn and more time doing, well, just about anything else.
Staff members help residents create plans for their lawns, and then provide seed, make visits, and offer technical assistance.
Find more information and register for Landscaping for Clean Water and/or Lawns Reimagined at dakotaswcd.org/landscaping-for-clean-water.
Many Thanks To A Dedicated Volunteer
Eagan’s longest-serving watershed management organization board member announced her retirement this spring, after more than 15 years of dedicated volunteer service.
Public Works Week 2026
We look forward to celebrating Public Works Week with the community May 17–23. This year’s theme, “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community,” acknowledges that the roots of service run deep in public works.
Loans Available for Low- and Moderate-Income Homeowners
Does your home need repairs that are out of your financial reach? The Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) may be able to help.
The CDA’s Home Improvement Loan Program is an interest-free loan program for low- and moderate-income homeowners in Dakota County. The loan has no monthly payments and is due to be repaid when you sell your home or no longer live in it.
Ranging from $15,000 to $35,000, these CDA loans are commonly used to replace windows, siding, roofs, or furnaces, or to fix electrical or plumbing issues. But they can also cover other necessary repairs.
This program is available to Dakota County homeowners with sufficient equity and a satisfactory credit history, as well as a household income under required limits.
| Household size | Maximum income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $72,950 |
| 2 | $83,400 |
| 3 | $93,800 |
| 4 | $104,200 |
| 5 | $112,550 |
| 6 | $120,900 |
| 7 | $129,250 |
| 8+ | $137,550 |
Find the application at dakotacda.org/housing-resources/homeownership/home-improvement-loan-program. Or call 651-675-4462 to request that an application be mailed to you.
Spring Events
SPRING FESTIVAL
Sunday, May 17 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Holz Farm l $3/person
Join us at Holz Farm for a hayride and a tour of the farmhouse plus live music. Tickets are required for everyone 12 months and older, and are available at discovereagan.com and on-site. Find details at cityofeagan.com/holzfarm.
INDOOR MARKET
Wednesday, April 8 | 4–7 p.m.
Eagan Community Center, Oaks l Free
Don’t miss Eagan’s last Indoor Market this spring! A list of participating vendors will be posted the week of the market at facebook.com/cityofeagan under Events. Eagan Market Fest will open outdoors on Wednesday, June 3.
TEEN CLOTHING SWAP
Friday, April 10 | 2–4 p.m.
Wescott Library | Free
Trade your gently used clothing, shoes, and other items for something new to you. Or just come — there’s no need to bring items to participate. Plus, you can bring a current T-shirt and learn how to upcycle it into a tote bag. Visit cityofeagan.com/teen for details.
DOCUMENT SHREDDING
Saturday, May 2 | 9 a.m.–Noon or until truck is filled | Cascade Bay | Free
Shred up to four paper bags or two boxes per vehicle during this resident-only event. Questions? Call Dakota Valley Recycling: 952-895-4559.
MOTHER/DAUGHTER SAFETY AND SELF-DEFENSE WORKSHOP*
Saturday, May 2 | 10 a.m.–Noon
Eagan Community Center | $129/pair
Learn and practice self-defense skills as you build confidence during this interactive class. Explore everyday safety strategies, improve awareness, and learn how to respond if a situation feels uncomfortable or unsafe.
COPS & BOBBERS*
Saturday, May 16 | 9 a.m.– 1 p.m.
Blackhawk Park | $10/person
Fish with Eagan police officers while learning a bit about the Eagan Police Department. Poles and bait, as well as lunch, are provided.
HIGH TEA: 50+ SENIORS*
Monday, May 18 | 1–3 p.m.
Eagan Community Center l $20/person
Adults ages 50 and up are invited to a high tea (including tea and finger foods) plus entertainment by Peggy Scholberg, author of Girls in a World at War. Bring your favorite teacup and enjoy an afternoon of connection.
BIG RIG RALLY
Thursday, May 21 | 4–7 p.m.
Central Maintenance Facility | Free
Get up-close and behind-the-scenes looks at many of the big rigs that support the City of Eagan’s parks, trails, and roads during this rain-or-shine event. Enjoy equipment demos, face painting, and giveaways while supplies last. Plus, help fill The Open Door truck by bringing a canned food donation.
NATIONAL 50+ SENIOR HEALTH AND FITNESS DAY
Wednesday, May 27 | 9–11 a.m.
Eagan Community Center l Free
Join us for an uplifting, community-centered morning of fitness and fun.
Eagan Historical Society Hosting Food Drive For America's 250th Celebration
The Eagan Historical Society is proud to announce a community food drive in support of The Open Door. The drive will run May 1–15, with a community goal of collecting 1,776 pounds of donations in honor of 1776.
Donations may be dropped off at the lower-level main entry of City Hall and at Wescott Library throughout the drive. In addition, a drop-off location will be available during the Old Town Hall Spring Open House on May 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Community members are encouraged to participate by donating nonperishable food items to help support local families in need. Together, we can celebrate our nation’s history while making a meaningful impact right here in Eagan.