Whitetail Woods Regional Park
Lakeville, MN
2014
HGA Architecture + Landscape Architecture
Travis Van Liere Studio
Photography: Paul Crosby, Dakota County, HGA, Travis Van Liere Studio
ASLA Minnesota Merit Award 2018
Whitetail Woods Regional Park is a 456-acre public park in Dakota County, Minnesota. As one of the first new parks in Dakota County in over 30 years, Dakota County Parks and Open Space partnered with TVLS and HGA to envision a contemporary park design. The design team identified the changing needs of the community by hosting multidisciplinary workshops to help shape the vision of the park. A Commons Area was identified as the key element for the initial phase of construction. Perched on a scenic overlook on Empire Lake, it is the trailhead for seven miles of hiking and skiing trails. It integrates the trails with picnic grounds and a nature play area. Additional site features include a sledding hill, a dry creek that handles surface runoff, and a water play area. Park buildings include a picnic shelter, three camper cabins, and a bathhouse. The park design was constructed in three phases and included three signature elements: architecturally designed camper cabins, integrated art and sculpture throughout the park, and productive landscapes. Active programs encourage visitors to participate in art activities and facilitate perennial food cultivation by park visitors.