Summer spotlight: Eagan Parks & Recreation
For over 10 years, Dakota Woodlands has partnered with Eagan Parks & Recreation to deliver fun activities to the children and families staying at our shelter. We had the chance to interview Konnie Her, Recreation Programmer for the City of Eagan, to get her thoughts on how our two organizations work together.
What activities have you done with our families over the years? Each summer begins with an ice cream party to introduce Eagan Parks & Recreation staff and to offer an opportunity for residents to interact with staff in a low-commitment setting. A highlight in the past has been taking residents on a field trip to Cascade Bay.
Are there any favorites or must-haves each year? Eagan Parks & Recreation has had the pleasure of bringing activities to Dakota Woodlands for National Night Out. The event not only provides a fun experience for residents, but also helps to bridge the community together. This year’s event was a huge success as both the Eagan Police Department and Eagan Fire Department stopped by for a visit and police even engaged with residents in an active game of basketball.
Why is this partnership important to Eagan Parks & Recreation? The City of Eagan strives to develop meaningful relationships with organizations across the city. We want community members to have access to a variety of recreational programs and the relationship with Dakota Woodlands has allowed us to do just that. It has been a positive relationship for both organizations over the years.
Why do the Eagan Parks & Recreation staff enjoy this work with us? It is always so rewarding when staff are able to build relationships and create positive experiences for residents. Even more so is when residents are able to experience something for the first time and staff are able to play a part in that. It is especially heartwarming when resident kids run up to give hugs and say that they missed us when we come back to do another program. Although we only spend a short one-and-a-half hours during our time there, we hope to make residents feel at ease so that they can really enjoy themselves.
Do you have hopes for future activities with Dakota Woodlands? Seeing that visiting Cascade Bay has been a big hit in the past, we would like to start planning other activities during the different seasons. Perhaps a visit to the Eagan Civic Arena for ice skating may be in the works for the future!
Is there anything else you'd like to share? A Dakota Woodlands staff shared that past residents would be excited when the “green shirt people” would arrive. It wasn’t until the last visit when Eagan Parks & Recreation staff heard a resident get excited and explain that she saw the green shirts. The green shirts have a reputation and legacy to carry on!
What activities have you done with our families over the years? Each summer begins with an ice cream party to introduce Eagan Parks & Recreation staff and to offer an opportunity for residents to interact with staff in a low-commitment setting. A highlight in the past has been taking residents on a field trip to Cascade Bay.
Are there any favorites or must-haves each year? Eagan Parks & Recreation has had the pleasure of bringing activities to Dakota Woodlands for National Night Out. The event not only provides a fun experience for residents, but also helps to bridge the community together. This year’s event was a huge success as both the Eagan Police Department and Eagan Fire Department stopped by for a visit and police even engaged with residents in an active game of basketball.
Why is this partnership important to Eagan Parks & Recreation? The City of Eagan strives to develop meaningful relationships with organizations across the city. We want community members to have access to a variety of recreational programs and the relationship with Dakota Woodlands has allowed us to do just that. It has been a positive relationship for both organizations over the years.
Why do the Eagan Parks & Recreation staff enjoy this work with us? It is always so rewarding when staff are able to build relationships and create positive experiences for residents. Even more so is when residents are able to experience something for the first time and staff are able to play a part in that. It is especially heartwarming when resident kids run up to give hugs and say that they missed us when we come back to do another program. Although we only spend a short one-and-a-half hours during our time there, we hope to make residents feel at ease so that they can really enjoy themselves.
Do you have hopes for future activities with Dakota Woodlands? Seeing that visiting Cascade Bay has been a big hit in the past, we would like to start planning other activities during the different seasons. Perhaps a visit to the Eagan Civic Arena for ice skating may be in the works for the future!
Is there anything else you'd like to share? A Dakota Woodlands staff shared that past residents would be excited when the “green shirt people” would arrive. It wasn’t until the last visit when Eagan Parks & Recreation staff heard a resident get excited and explain that she saw the green shirts. The green shirts have a reputation and legacy to carry on!