Community Members Converse & Collaborate
Nearly 200 community members gathered for Eagan’s first-ever Spring Summit at Silver Bell Learning Center on April 3. From longtime residents to those newly connected to our city — whether living, working, or simply spending time here — everyone came with a shared goal: to help shape a more inclusive and thriving future for Eagan.
The event created space for meaningful dialogue and new connections. Over a shared meal, residents, students, and members of the business community, plus Mayor Mike Maguire and City staff, discussed how to help everyone thrive in Eagan.
Attendees dove into three questions guided by our facilitators from The Finding Human Institute, exploring what it truly means to love where we live — and how we can collectively contribute to a community where everyone thrives.
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories, listened with curiosity, and helped make the Spring Summit a meaningful step toward building a more connected, inclusive Eagan.
Let’s keep the momentum going. As summer approaches, stay connected and find your fun in Eagan — with events, activities, and experiences that bring us all a little closer.
ECC Construction Update: Phase 2
The Eagan Community Center (ECC) reinvestment project launched in late 2024, ushering in exciting upgrades. The first phase focused on exterior additions, which, once completed, will include a brand-new, state-of-the-art fitness center.
Phase 2 begins in June and will shift construction indoors, with ECC updates, including:
- new restrooms
- a new elevator for improved accessibility,
- a renovated indoor playground, and
- an updated lobby and staircase.
During this phase, the main upper entrance will be closed. Visitors will be directed to use alternate entrances, clearly marked by construction signage.
To better accommodate those with mobility needs during this period, please park in the lower lot for more-accessible entry options.
This phased construction approach is designed to minimize disruptions and ensure that all ECC features remain open and accessible throughout the project.
Thanks for your patience and continued support as we enhance the ECC. Learn more about how we’re planning for future fun at cityofeagan.com/parkprojects.
Funfest: A Community Festival Fueled By Volunteers
Over 56 years, Eagan’s Funfest has grown from a small gathering at Rahn Park into one of the city’s most anticipated summer events. This year Funfest will kick off with a throwback to its origins when a parade of kids on bikes circles the festival grounds on Thursday, July 3. There’s also a lowkey carnival preview day geared toward families with younger kids, with no music or additional entertainment, on Wednesday, July 2, 4 to 8 p.m.
“Funfest has grown a lot since it started,” says Andy Schmitz, Funfest board chair. “Now we run a two- to four-day festival, depending on the year. We have a day at the Viking Lakes campus, two beer tents with local vendors, a carnival, a parade, live music, and — of course — fireworks.”
Festival Funds Nonprofit's Scholarships
Funfest, run by a volunteer board of directors, also has a meaningful mission. Organized as a nonprofit, Funfest dedicates funds raised to scholarships for its student ambassadors — local students, ages 9 to 18, who develop leadership skills and represent Eagan at community events and local festivals.
Last year, Schmitz says, Funfest devoted $21,000 to ambassador scholarships, the Lions Club, the American Legion, and the Eagan Crime Prevention Association.
A Community Effort — Not A City-Run Event
Although the City of Eagan is an essential partner, Funfest is not a City-run event — a common point of confusion.
“The City is a partner that provides public safety, fireworks, and the portable restrooms,” Schmitz explains. “But everything else comes from the Funfest budget. We rely on local businesses to help support the community event, and raise money through vendors and parade registrations, as well as ambassador fundraisers like grocery packing and bowling events.”
That said, three spots on the 12-seat Funfest board are designated for City of Eagan staff members. And this year, Eagan’s last three police chiefs will serve as parade grand marshals to honor the Eagan Police Department’s 60th anniversary.
2025 Funfest
This year’s event, July 2–5, has a new component: a chill-out tent for kids and families to take a break with coloring books and fidgets. And because of ongoing construction at the ECC and limited parking, MVTA is providing free shuttles on July 4 between the Eagan park-and-ride lot and festival grounds. These will run every 15 minutes, 3–11:30 p.m. Learn more at eaganfunfest.org.
Attendees with questions regarding weather, parking, etc. should follow the Funfest social media accounts — Facebook: @eaganfunfest and Instagram: @eaganjuly4funfest. Event details, like musical acts, can be found on their account pages too.
Eagan City Council Adopts First-Ever Climate Action Plan
In April the Eagan City Council officially adopted the City’s first Climate Action Plan — a significant milestone in preparing our community for the ongoing and future impacts of climate change.
The plan is the result of a yearlong community-driven process involving residents, local organizations, businesses, and City staff. It lays out a strategic road map to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build climate resilience, and promote a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable future for everyone who lives, works, and plays in Eagan.
“Residents and other community members experience the local impacts of climate change,” says Gillian Catano, Eagan’s sustainability coordinator. “Our goal was to identify perceptions, needs, opportunities, priorities, and issues for the City to address through this plan.”
A foundational guide, the Climate Action Plan will inform future decisions related to budgeting, planning, and cross-departmental partnerships. It aligns with regional, state, and national goals, and it represents a phased, strategic approach to climate action.
Scope Of The Plan
The Climate Action Plan outlines 75 specific actions across eight focus areas, including transportation, energy, buildings, natural resources, and more. Actions are categorized as regulatory, incentive based, educational, or leadership oriented, and will be implemented over a 10-year period.
“This plan is just the beginning,” Catano says. “The real work starts now, and we invite everyone in the community to stay engaged and help drive this important effort forward.”
Thank you to everyone who participated in surveys, events, and engagement sessions — your input directly shaped the final plan.
Get Involved
Stay informed by following the City of Eagan on social media and by subscribing to the City’s sustainability newsletter. Learn more about the Climate Action Plan and how you can take action at cityofeagan.com/climate.
Eagan Television Camp Is Back
Middle schoolers will learn video production fundamentals and create short films during ETV’s weeklong video camp, Aug. 4–7. Campers, ages 11–14, will spend the week learning how to use state-of-the-art equipment, including cameras, microphones, video editing software, and more from our award-winning staff. Each small group will also create its own short film.
Get more info and register at cityofeagan.com/summer-video-camp.
Adopt A Street
It’s a great time to get outside and freshen up an area in Eagan. Gather a group together to keep a street free of litter — and to protect our water! Plus, the City provides trash bags and safety vests. Learn more and find an adoptable street segment at cityofeagan.com/adopt-a-street.
Adopt A Drain
Sign up to adopt your storm drain and help our waterways today at cityofeagan.com/adopt-a-storm-drain.
Door-To-Door Solicitors Must Be Licensed
With warmer weather comes an increase in door-to-door solicitors. A license with the City of Eagan is required to legally go door-to-door. All solicitors must apply, pay a fee, and pass a background check.
Residents are encouraged to ask solicitors to show their City-issued permits. If something seems suspicious, call 911. Officers can only assist if the solicitor is still in the area.
Licenses are issued by the City Clerk’s office. Apply online at eagan.onlama.com.
Fishing, Crafts, & Games
Eagan’s 1,200 lakes, ponds, wetlands, and a stretch of the Minnesota River are defining characteristics and significant assets of our community. They help make Eagan a desirable place to live, work, play, and visit, and protecting them is part of who we are.
Celebrate Our Lakes
Lakefest 2025 brings the fun to three Eagan lakes! Join us to try out shoreline fishing basics, learn about aquatic life, play games, and build water-themed crafts.
These family-friendly events are free, with no registration or fishing license required. (Fishing is catch and release only.) Find more info at cityofeagan.com/lakefest.
2025 Lakefest Events
All events feature fishing, with provided equipment and bait. Each date includes nontoxic fishing tackle giveaways — bring your old lead tackle to drop off for disposal.
Blackhawk Lake
Tuesday, June 10, 4–7 p.m.
- Food truck (XStream Cuisine)
Thomas Lake
Thursday, July 19, 12–4 p.m.
- Live music: Charlie Roth and Friends
- Baztec shore fishing workshop by this Spanish/English bilingual fishing event provider
- Free popsicles from JonnyPops, while supplies last
- Live fish tank and DNR fishing info
- Microscope and pond life station
Schwanz Lake
Thursday, Aug. 15, 4–7 p.m.
- Food truck (XStream Cuisine)
- Live fish tank and DNR fishing info
Bike Safety In Eagan: Have You Tried The Ring Road?
Using a bike or e-bike for transportation is a great way to get around, exercise, and decrease your carbon footprint. But in suburban communities like Eagan — where roads were designed with cars in mind — cycling safely can be a challenge. To help ensure you and your family members stay safe while biking, be sure to follow the tips below.
Tips For Cycling Safely
- Maintain a safe speed.
- Follow traffic rules.
- Install a mirror on the left side of your handlebar or attach one to your helmet.
- Wear a helmet. A helmet with Mips® technology and/or an NTA-8776- certified helmet protects against higher-impact speeds and covers a larger part of the head. Replace your helmet if it’s more than five years old.
- Use bicycle lights to improve your visibility. Always ride with your lights on; never ride at night without a light.
- Stay visible by wearing bright, reflective clothing.
- Avoid right-turn-only lanes. When you are in the turn lane, position yourself in the center of the lane you’re traveling in the direction you’re headed.
- Never ride on the sidewalk; this is dangerous for you and for pedestrians.
- Ride on the road shoulder with the flow of traffic when the shoulder is wide enough to share with cars.
- Ride predictably — signal your intentions to turn or stop; and avoid weaving in and out of traffic.
- Be courteous and communicate clearly — make eye contact with drivers and pedestrians.
- Pass others on the left, share a verbal warning (“on your left”), and ring your bell to alert that you’re passing.
What Is The Ring Road?
Eagan streets with shoulders include those that make up the ring road (see map below): Yankee Doodle and Diffley roads east of Lexington, Deerwood Drive, Denmark Avenue, Wescott Road, Wilderness Run Road, Lexington Avenue (south of Diffley Road), Dodd Road, and Blackhawk Road.
Avoid the intersection at Pilot Knob and Yankee Doodle roads, and freeway on-ramps and off-ramps. Instead, use the ring road (see green area on map below) that enables cyclists to completely avoid these busy areas. This was completed by the City about 10 years ago.
Summer Fun In Eagan
Eagan Market Fest
Wednesdays beginning June 4 4–8 p.m. | Eagan Festival Grounds, 1501 Central Pkwy. | free
Find locally grown and produced products, and enjoy weekly live music. Check out great items like early produce, baked goods, sauces, cheeses, and more. Find details at cityofeagan.com/marketfest.
Coffee On The Front Porch
Wednesday, June 4, 9–10:30 a.m. Holz Farm | free
Enjoy a relaxing morning sipping coffee and having conversation.
Old-Fashioned Picnic
Tuesday, June 17, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Holz Farm | free
Bring your picnic and explore the grounds and visit with Friends of the Farm members.
Series All Play
June 17–Aug. 21 | 6–7:30 p.m. | free | Tuesdays at Woodhaven Park: Destination All Play Thursdays at Quarry Park*
We welcome and encourage people of all abilities to participate in our inclusive Series All Play program. This series, which is free and open to the public, encourages participants to try new activities. No registration is required. In the event of rain, programs will be canceled. Learn more at cityofeagan.com/all-play. *No program will be held June 19.
Spark! Mobile
Various dates and locations | free
The Spark! Team presents original stories with your favorite puppet friends in neighborhood parks all summer long. Also enjoy Spark! in the Park, including puppets and musical performances, on Monday and Thursday evenings. Selected performances will be ASL interpreted. Discover Spark! Mobile’s next performance at cityofeagan.com/spark.
Eagan Central Park Splash Pad
Eagan Festival Grounds, 1501 Central Pkwy. | free
Cool off at Eagan’s free Splash Pad with multiple ground-spraying features, as well as overhead fountains and buckets. Other features include a rock seating wall and a sun shelter with picnic tables. This cool summer attraction will be open as weather permits in late May or early June through the end of summer, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Get text notifications on updates and closures. Sign up today — text SPLASHPAD to 888-777.
Summer Activities
It’s not too late to sign up for summer camps and activities! There’s something for everyone. Check out all the options at DiscoverEagan.com.
Cascade Bay Opens Friday, June 6!
1360 Civic Center Dr. | Tickets & info at cascadebay.com
Get Your Tickets
Single-session tickets are available online, 72 hours in advance of the session.
Walk-up tickets are available beginning at 10 a.m. daily.
Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Session 1: 10:45 a.m.–2:45 p.m. | Session 2: 3:15–7:15 p.m.
Pricing for a single session: over 42 inches tall: $13; under 42 inches tall: $11; seniors 62+: $10; under 12 months: free.
An all-day ticket ($19/person) grants admission to both day sessions; plus, you can remain in the park between sessions and enjoy unlimited mini golf.