The City of Hastings is looking for feedback on the future of Lake Rebecca Park.
In its work on developing a master plan for the future of the park, the interactive map and survey will provide planners with valuable feedback. The survey is online at: https://hkgi.mysocialpinpoint.com/hastings-lake-rebecca/map#/
The survey allows citizens to offer ideas on the map and asks a series of questions:
Funding for the Lake Rebecca Park improvements are being provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources.
Questions include:
If you do use Lake Rebecca Park today, how do you use it?
Summer fishing
Paddling (canoe or kayak)
Ice fishing
Walking/hiking
Picnicking
Other (describe)
In addition to habitat enhancements and natural resource restoration efforts, this Master Plan recommends potential recreation improvements. Please select the items below that you would support.
Interpretive signage
Wildlife overlook
Kayak and canoe launch
Picnic area near parking lot
Additional soft-surface trails
Removal and repaving of parking lot
Prairie/native vegetation restoration
Boat launch improvements
Portage and paddle route through Lake Rebecca
The Hastings City Council last summer approved a contract with Hoisington Koegler Group of Minneapolis for $89,500 to manage the project.
Much of the work will be paid for through a state Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources/Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund grant of $1 million. The Lake Rebecca project master plan will “focus on habitat restoration, enhancement and enhancement as well as redevelopment of the Lake Rebecca parking lots, boat launch and trails.
“Habitat enhancement and water quality are key elements for the project to consider and address. Due to the wide variability in water levels on the site, significant care and consideration must be given to planning facilities that are able to tolerate the seasonal conditions and bounce in river elevation. Creativity and functionality will be important during the master planning process,” the HKGI proposal states.
The project must be completed by June 30, 2025 under the grant guidelines.
HKGI has worked on several projects with the city Parks & Recreation Department.
“HKGI staff are familiar with the City of Hastings through our past work on numerous projects in the city, most recently the City of Hastings People Movement Plan, which included in-depth mapping and analysis of the city’s pedestrian and bicycle system, part of which moves through the Lake Rebecca area. Our work with Dakota County has included master planning and design work for the County Parks Department, and park planning, greenway planning, and grant writing for the County Office of Planning. In 2018, we worked with Dakota County and the City of Hastings to complete the Vermillion River Greenway Master Plan for the Hastings segment,” according to the proposal.
