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Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park is a wonderful destination for many of the region’s residents. The park is located just north of Highway 61 on County 19. According to the Washington County Website, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park consists of 515 acres of hills and dramatic, heavily wooded ravines with occasional clearings of prairie and old field. This varied topography and landscape creates an unusual variety of vegetation and habitats. Look for grouse, ermine, cottontail rabbits, deer and a number of bird species, including the pileated woodpecker. Vehicle permits are required for all vehicles entering the park. The park includes cross country ski trails, hiking trails, paved trails, a non-reservable picnic pavilion and a play structure. The waters at lower end of the park are a great fishing destination stocked by the DNR.

Why a new building? The old facility that was located in the park became unsafe for the public to use due to cracked masonry and a failing roof structure, so the county opted to build a replacement. According to Washington County Parks Director, Sandy Breuer, “The new facility adds the modern-day amenities people request at parks, while being nestled into the ravine landscape so as not to take away from the natural beauty around it. The building will be open year-round to help enhance the park experience and provide both indoor and outdoor space. The building was designed to fit in with the landscaping of the park and to limit impact to the landscape around it.”

The building is roughly 4,000 square feet and have a variety of amenities. Indoor restrooms, a lobby, gathering space with a gas fireplace, County Park staff office space, large gathering room, kitchenette, audio/ video system, tables and chairs, storage space for parks maintenance and staff, drinking fountains, outdoor covered picnic area, outdoor wood fire pit. The new site’s utilities, such as water, septic, gas, and storm water treatment are all new amenities of the project. The project was budgeted to cost $3.8 million and is funded by Washington County Bonds and the Legacy State sales tax.

An estimated 122,000 people use the park per year, so the new buildings restrooms will be a welcome addition.

Other primary uses of the building: a large gathering room that can be rented out for gathering events, parties, and trainings, and will serve as a warming facility during winter operations, such as during ski meets. The building also hosts storage space for future park use, such as rental equipment (snowshoes, skis, life jackets) to park users. The large gathering space is equipped with a kitchenette and has an audio and visual system for presentations/ viewings.

The most recent construction update indicates that windows have been installed, drywall work is done inside, and restrooms are tiled. They are continuing with the exterior siding, interior painting and mechanical installs. The cabinets will be installed in the kitchenette soon and the concrete floor is expected to be polished soon as well.

You can sign up for and see the most recent list of updates at www.co.washington. mn.us/CGRRPImprovements

Construction continues on the new visitors center at Cottage Grove Ravine Park. Photo by Bruce Karnick