2015-07 Experience EaganExperience Eagan • July/August 2015 • 1
July/August 2015
Experience EaganExperience EaganExperience EaganExperience EaganExperience Eagan
For more information about Eagan fishing,
visit: www.cityofeagan.com/lakesandwet-
lands
To register for fishing clinics, visit:
www.cityofeagan.com
For more information about DNR Metro FiN,
visit: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/fin
Big fish are lurking in Eagan waters as Danny King discovered upon
catching this “monster bass” a couple years ago. Photo submitted
by Bill Kidder.
Whether you enjoy visiting your nearby park to cast
a line from shore, or paddling out for the thrill of a
big tug on your line, Eagan is full of fishing opportu-
nities. In order to help determine which lakes and
programs are most important to the fishing public,
City staff has created a survey designed to collect
opinions and experiences of fishing in Eagan. Help
us understand what you value most by filling out
a survey at www.cityofeagan.com/fishsurvey and
possibly win a prize.
Eagan boasts an impressive density of small lakes
managed for fishing opportunities, with sup-
port from the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources’ (DNR) Fishing in the Neighborhood
Program (FiN). Eagan’s Water Resources Program
has been working alongside FiN for many years to
stock, survey, aerate, and make accessible a dozen
lakes spread across Eagan, including two fishing
lakes in Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
Free monthly fishing classes are also offered by City
staff, occurring May through September plus a spe-
cial ice event in January. Eagan purchases fish for
stocking where most needed, based on population
surveys, and receives stocked fish from DNR FiN as
they become available. Just installed this year is a
fishing pier on Heine Pond, thanks to the partner-
ship with FiN. This brings the fishing pier total in
Eagan to eight.
To help determine the best use of City and FiN
resources, the survey asks the public to identify the
things that are most important. Anyone 16 years of
age and up is encouraged to participate in a brief
online survey to help shape the future of fishing in
Go Fishing in Eagan? Let Your Voice be Heard
Fun is in Full Swing at
Cascade Bay
Summer is short around here so finding great
places to make the most of the season is key.
Cascade Bay Water Park, located right in the center
of Eagan is one of those great places. This summer
hotspot has activities for every type.
Every day at Cascade provides a chance for water
play, sand sculpting, mini-golf and more. Some sit
in the shallows where little tykes can safely splash
and work toward conquering deeper depths of
Shipwreck Cove. Others seek to set records for
trips down the water slides while many relax in
shaded lounge chairs or drift on the lazy river.
Come find your fun at Cascade Bay—open daily
through Labor Day. Visit www.cascadeBay.com for
more info and photos. Season passes are still avail-
able and offer great benefits for frequent visitors.
Although Eagan Police Officers are always on the
lookout for traffic violations, the department has
recently restarted its traffic unit, designed to specif-
ically focus on driver and motor vehicle issues. The
traffic unit was created in response to citizen sur-
veys and requests for a more proactive approach to
speeding, distracted driving and general traffic law
enforcement especially in the neighborhoods. To
help avoid unintentionally meeting a “Traffic Cop”
this summer, here are a few friendly
reminders:
Don’t text and drive. Not only is it unsafe, but it’s
illegal. When you drive distracted you are not only
risking your life, but you are endangering the lives
of those around you.
If you drink, find a ride. Minnesota’s legal alcohol-
concentration driving limit is 0.08 — but motorists
can be arrested for DWI at lower levels. Not worth
the risk, find a ride instead.
Respect your neighbors and fix noisy mufflers.
Minnesota State Statute requires that every vehicle
be equipped with a muffler in good working order.
Mufflers that emit a sharp popping or crackling
sound are illegal.
Talking Traffic: Safety Reminders from EPD
Buckle-up. Minnesota’s seat belt law is a pri-
mary offense, meaning drivers and passengers
in all seating positions — including in the back-
seat — must be buckled up or in the correct child
restraint. Drivers will be ticketed for unbelted
passengers ages 14 and younger. Unbelted passen-
gers age 15 and older will be ticketed directly. As
they say, click it or ticket!
Window tint can cost you. There are State laws
that prohibit certain types of glazing material of
windows, including those that block more than 50
of light passage through the window.
Interested in
Airport Decisions?
You can now access agendas and video from
the Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC)
Board meetings on the MAC Web site. Visit
www.metroairports.org and search “board.”
You can also subscribe to receive emails
with upcoming agendas for MAC Board and
Committee meetings.
Eagan. Prizes will be awarded randomly to survey
participants. You’ll find the survey at www.cityofea-
gan.com/fishsurvey. If you would prefer to submit
a paper survey, please call (651) 675-5320. This sur-
vey’s deadline is September 30, 2015.
Experience Eagan • July/August 2015 • 2
As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Eagan
Police Department, we’ve looked back at the Township
Constable, turned Police Chief, on through the depart-
ment’s first decade. In this issue we focus on the growth of
the department as Eagan developed rapidly through the
1980s. Come along for the ride.
By the mid-1980s, Eagan was the fastest growing
community in the state. It was also a community
of contrast during this decade. In some corners,
the sleepier farm life of the last century still held
its grip, yet the more suburban neighborhoods,
were sprouting up across town. The Eagan Police
Department was adapting itself, to meet the needs
of a burgeoning community.
The opening of the Cedar Freeway Bridge as the
1980s arrived made Eagan far more accessible to
the Twin Cities than the previous one-lane river
crossing. Pat Geagan, hired as an Officer in 1969,
later worked his way through the ranks to become
Eagan’s third Police Chief. He recalls, “Eagan was
never the same. When the ribbon was cut, we
became a city along with all the positives and nega-
tives. [Police] calls for service and traffic violations
surged.”
Lori Tripp, Eagan’s first female officer, hired in 1980
agrees. “Part of why I chose Eagan was that I knew
Cedar and the two other freeway bridges [494 and
I-35E] would open and Eagan’s population would
surge. It would be an exciting time to be a cop
here.”
Tripp was not wrong in her decision. “We always
had regular shifts,” Tripp recalls. “So we got used
to seeing certain cars in certain neighborhoods...
we got to know when something was unusual.”
But, after the bridges opened up she remembers
the change. It became more common to encounter
people with long criminal records and weapons.
“We just didn’t see much of that before.”
Her earliest “exciting” call came as she drove
the still-gravel stretch of Lexington Avenue, near
Wescott. “I saw three men come running out of a
hedge,” she said. At the same time a call came on
the radio of a burglary in progress. “I was able to
catch one of the guys.” Neighboring cit-
ies were called to set up a perimeter. The
other two were caught as well and later
charged for the break-in. “I remember
thinking, this is just like TV,” she exclaimed.
The bucolic, “Mayberry-like” Eagan was
retreating.
Yet, Officer Linda Myhre, also hired in 1980,
recalls coming face-to-face with the coun-
try/city clash during her early days on the
force. “I was dispatched to a call of a pig
loose on Yankee Doodle Road. On arrival,
I found a GIANT boar in the road. This pig
was State Fair sized and in the middle of Yankee
Doodle,” Myhre recalls. “I got out of my squad and
approached the pig and it looked at me like I was
going to be lunch. It sauntered toward me; I ran for
my squad and was stepping in,” she says. “That
was as far as I got. That monster pig began scratch-
ing his back on the open squad door, pinning my
legs between the door and frame so I couldn’t
move. Finally a farmer arrived with a bucket of
‘slop’ and lured the pig from my door,” Myhre says
with a laugh.
Transition at the Top
After 30+ years as Eagan’s top cop, Martin
Deslauriers decided to turn in his badge in 1983.
Upon retirement, he was one of the longest-serving
chiefs in Minnesota.
DesLauriers noted how proud he was of his depart-
ment, and of having been able to serve the commu-
nity where he grew up. “I’ve been fortunate here.
I’ll tell you, the biggest headache most Police Chiefs
have is dealing with people they work with. I can’t
say that. There isn’t one officer who … couldn’t han-
dle any problem that came up,” he says, “and that’s
a nice feeling.”
One of those people, DesLauriers’ Deputy Chief Jay
Berthe, in fact, would succeed him. Berthe joined
the force part time in 1966, while still holding down
his regular job as the produce manager at the Red
Owl grocery. Although there were several other
part time officers, Berthe became the Town’s first
full time patrolman later that same year. By 1983, as
he became Chief, the department had grown to 25
sworn officers and 11 civilian staff. The community
had nearly quadrupled from 6,000 in 1966 to 20,000
as he took over the Chief’s desk.
In 1978, the department moved into its new facility
on the east side Pilot Knob Road, expanding from
cramped quarters in Eagan’s first City Hall on the
west side of the road. Though the new building was
high-tech for its day, the move itself was done “the
old fashioned way” by Police and City staff. Many
of the file cabinets, desks, typewriters and dispatch
radios were literally rolled across the two lanes of
Pilot Knob Road from the original Police building.
The new facility, the first building on what would
become the Municipal Center Campus, held regula-
tion holding cells, a modernized dispatching area,
garage bays and plenty of space to grow, into the
future.
Police Department Adapts for the Times
Play it Safe when
Solicitors Knock
People going door-to-door to sell a product or
service in Eagan are required to obtain a solicitor’s
permit from the City. The permit doesn’t guarantee
the salesperson’s product, but it does ensure that
he or she has had a background check. Solicitors are
required to carry their permit with them at all times.
Even with a permit, solicitors may not go door-to-
door before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Solicitors may
not engage in any harassing or dishonest behavior.
When a resident asks a solicitor to leave their prop-
erty, the solicitor is required to leave. Residents
concerned about a solicitor in their neighborhood
should call 9-1-1. A police officer will be sent to the
area to make sure the solicitor has a permit and is
following the City’s rules.
Celebrate National
Night Out
Get to know your neighbors and reduce crime
at the same time. National Night Out is Tuesday,
August 4, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. and registration is
now open at www.cityofeagan.com/nno.
One of the best ways residents can reduce crime in
their neighborhood is to get to know their neigh-
bors. Developing relationships with people that
live nearby not only builds a greater sense of com-
munity, but it encourages people to watch out for
each other and their property. National Night Out
is a great time for neighbors, police and fire person-
nel to meet. The Fire department also makes visits
to many neighborhoods in support of this event.
The first 125 neighborhoods to register in Eagan
secure a 4-pack of Twins Tickets from the Eagan
Citizen’s Crime Prevention Association. A list of
all registered parties will be available at www.
cityofeagan.com/nno prior to August 4.
Experience Eagan • July/August 2015 • 3
Protect Woodlands, Remove Buckthorn
Controlling buckthorn can be a very labor intensive
activity, but a very important one. This highly inva-
sive plant/shrub can quickly infest wooded areas
and choke out other plants. It can also diminish the
otherwise vibrant autumn colors found in a healthy
tree population.
To be effective, buck-
thorn control requires
using a combination
of mechanical and
chemical strategies,
annual monitoring
and eventual replant-
ing of native trees,
shrubs and/or wild-
flowers. Simply cut-
ting down buckthorn
will result in vigorous
re-sprouting.
The City forestry staff provides free pick up of buck-
thorn and other approved invasive plants that are
cut by the private property owner from their own
residential properties. The City does not pick up
invasive plant material cut by contractors.
Property owners should contact the City forestry
division, prior to conducting buckthorn control
activities, to set up a required site visit. During this
visit, the Tree Inspector will review the site with
the property owner, identify buckthorn plants
and discuss control options. He will also provide
instruction about how the buckthorn removed
should be placed for pick-up. Forestry staff picks
up by appointment on Mondays, April through
November. Please call early, as pick-ups are typical-
ly scheduled for several weeks in advance. Do not
stack cut buckthorn near city streets until a pick-up
has been scheduled.
Every Wednesday afternoon throughout the sum-
mer, people flock to Eagan Central Park for a one-
of-a-kind farmers market and music venue called
Eagan Market Fest. The event, now in its ninth
season, features 56+ types of produce and some-
70 types of locally made specialty items from local
farmer’s and product creators.
Shoppers will find the standard selection of veggies
like carrots, beans, lettuce, onions and zucchini.
Fresh berries, cantaloupe, watermelon and apples
can satisfy the sweet tooth and promote healthier
choices. Kick-up the healthy with a variety of new
superfoods like kale and swiss chard, or try an
unusual item like pea shoots or bitter melon.
So Much More Than Veggies
In addition to produce, Market Fest attendees will
find an abundance of food items to fill their refriger-
ators with a broad selection of farm-raised poultry,
beef, pork, sausage and even rabbit. Frozen options
are also abundant with treats like sweet or savory
strudel, ice cream, fruit pops and more. Samples of
items for sale are also plentiful. Try award-winning
BBQ sauces, jams, honey and other local products
before buying. Find out more about the market
vendors, seasonal produce listings and more at
www.cityofeagan.com/marketfest.
Help Control Yard Invaders
Eagan Market Fest: From Bands to Biscotti; Popcorn to Pork to Pierogi
Please remove buckthorn from your proper-
ty. Until buckthorn is removed from all residential
and commercial properties, Eagan will continue to
have a fruit source for continued re-infestation of
our woodlands.
Garlic Mustard is a Problem Too
Controlling garlic mustard is becoming a challenge
in Eagan as well, but is also an important step in
maintaining good woodland health. Fortunately
garlic mustard is a biennial and only reproduces by
seed. So, the key to its management is to eliminate
seed production in two-year old plants, and then
continue to monitor the plant for several more
years until the seed bank is exhausted.
Small patches of garlic
mustard can be hand-
pulled in early spring
prior to flowering,
typically mid- to late-
May. Larger patches
can be mowed or cut
at ground level, again
prior to flowering.
Plan to recheck these
areas and remove any
regrowth that occurs.
Chemical control using a broadleaf herbicide is also
effective. Apply in early spring before flowering, or
in late fall. Chemical control should consist of spot-
spraying specific plants. Make sure to read and fol-
low all product directions.
Persistence is the key. Garlic mustard is an aggres-
sive perennial that can invade forested areas. It is a
prolific seed producer, but can be managed by pre-
venting seed production of plants.
If you have questions about either buckthorn or
garlic mustard management, or other forestry
issues, please call (651) 675-5300.
New products this year include:
◗ Biscotti
◗ Sweet & spicy brined pineapple
◗ Home canned fruits and vegetables
◗ Spaghetti sauce
◗ Wood art
◗ Frozen pierogi
◗ Frozen pizza dough
◗ Gluten & dairy free baking mixes
◗ Olive oil based skin products
The Market is open Wednesdays, through
September 2, from 4 – 8 p.m. After Labor Day
through September 30, the hours shift to 3 – 7 p.m.
Find the full season schedule and additional band
details at www.cityofeagan.com/marketfest
10th Annual Harvest of
Art Celebration
The Eagan Art House celebrates art in our commu-
nity at the 10th annual Harvest of Art on Sunday,
September 13 from noon – 4:00 p.m. This year’s
event features:
◗ Harvest of Art Exhibit opening featuring art-
work of over 60 local artists.
◗ Raku Pottery firing. Glaze & fire a piece of
pottery on-site. (available for purchase)
◗ Book Art creation with Minnesota Center for
Book Arts
◗ Artist demonstrations with Eagan Art House
teaching artists
◗ Eagan Artist Connect – meet local artists
working in our community
◗ Jazz music by WindWood with vocalist Paula
Lammers
◗ Pottery Sale
◗ Art-related book checkout and library card
applications from Dakota County Library
◗ 15% off Eagan Art House classes when you
register at the event
The Eagan Art House is located in Patrick Eagan
Park at 3981 Lexington Ave. Visit www.cityofeagan.
com/EaganArtHouse for more information.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through
grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan
Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the
arts and cultural heritage fund.
July-August Market Fest Music
July 1 Jillian Rae & Brian Just Band
July 8 LaValle Jazz Cats
July 15 Classic Car Show & Oldies Night –
“Remembering Elvis” Tribute and
The Rockin’ Hollywoods
July 22 Roe Family Singers and The High 48’s
July 29 Latino Night Celebration – La Clave and
Sonora Café
August 5 Benson Family Singers and Riverside
Swing Band
August 12 Health & Wellness Night – Hurricane
Harold’s All Stars and The Tuxedo Band
August 19 Stoned Acoustic (Rolling Stone Tribute)
August 26 American Bootleg
Photo by Andrew Zumbach
PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGEPAIDTWIN CITIES MNPERMIT NO. 4902* * * * * ECRWSS * *Residential Postal Customer3830 Pilot Knob RoadEagan, Minnesota 55122Page 1
Go Fishing in Eagan? Let Your Voice be Heard
Fun is in Full Swing at Cascade Bay
Interested in Airport Decisions?
Talking Traffic: Safety Reminders from EPD
Page 2
Police Department Adapts for the Times
Play it Safe when Solicitors Come Knocking
Come On Out and Celebrate National Night Out
Eagan’s Drinking Water: Tastes Great & Safe
Page 3
10th Annual Harvest of Art Celebration
Forestry Staff Can Help You Control Yard Invaders
Eagan Market Fest Finds
Page 4
Keep Kids Active & Discovering, This Summer
July 4th Funfest Puts the Sparkle in Summer
Mayor
Mike Maguire
Councilmembers
Paul Bakken Cyndee Fields
Gary Hansen Meg Tilley
City Administrator Dave Osberg
City Hall
(651) 675-5000 • (651) 454-8535 TTY
www.cityofeagan.com
Experience Eagan
July 4th Funfest Puts the Sparkle in Summer
Area Changes Require a Bit of Extra Planning For Visitors
Celebrating July 4th at the
Eagan Funfest is one of the
highlights of summer in Eagan.
Make plans now to stay in town and spend July
3 and 4 with your friends, family and neighbors
for the great variety of Funfest activities at Eagan
Central Park. Recent changes at the CSM property
(formerly Lockheed Martin) may mean you’ll need
to plan ahead for parking and parade viewing.
All the great events you’ve enjoyed for years –and
a few newer ones—are gearing up for the Eagan
Funfest. Bring a car, or simply stroll and admire
others at the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Car Show.
Watch a princess or ambassador eat ice cream with
no hands at the Royal Brain Freeze. Decorate the
kids’ bikes for the Children’s Bike Parade. Take a
ride on a tilt-a-whirl at the Carnival. Line up along
Yankee Doodle Road for the “Summer Sparkler”
parade (seating will not be available along Central
Parkway this year). Dance the night away both
Friday and Saturday nights at the festival ground
concerts. Eat a corn dog or gyro and sip lemonade.
Stay for the grand finale in the sky as the largest
fireworks show in the region explodes in color over
Central Park.
Discounted Carnival Tickets
The Carnival is open July 3, 4:00 p.m. to midnight
and July 4, from noon to midnight. If you and the
gang love the rides, be sure to save some cash by
buying discounted carnival tickets by Thursday,
July 2 at www.EaganFunfest.org, at Eagan City Hall
(weekdays) or at the Eagan Community Center.
Tickets are sold in strips of five for $10. One dis-
count ticket equals one ride (regardless of on-site
ticket count required).
Eagan Funfest Events Schedule
Friday July 3rd
2-7 p.m. – Blood Drive
4 p.m. – Midnight – Carnival & Vendors
5 p.m. – Children’s Bike Parade
6 p.m. – Texas Hold’em Tournament (Free Entry)
8 p.m. – Stage Entertainment “Shirts & Skins” /
A Girls Journey featuring PMB
Midnight – Festival Grounds Close
Saturday July 4th, 2015
10 a.m. – Parade “Summer Sparkler”
Noon-Midnight – Carnival & Vendors
1 p.m. – Ambassador Brain Freeze
1-5 p.m. – Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Car Show
2-7 p.m. – Blood Drive
4 p.m. – Bingo 6 p.m. Texas Hold’em Tourney
8 p.m. – Stage Entertainment “The Brian Kinney
Band”
10 p.m. – Fireworks
Monday July 6th, 2015
6 p.m. – Ambassador Red Carpet Reception
7 p.m. – Coronation ($7 /$5with button) Eagan
Community Center
Keep Kids Active
and Discovering
A variety of programs for preschoolers and youth
are offered all summer long from Eagan Parks &
Recreation. And it’s not too late to sign up!
There are puppet shows and Safety Camp for
preschoolers. A variety of tennis and golf lessons
are offered for many ages and skill levels. Camps
are planned for a wide variety of age groups and
include adventures like: A Great Art Doors Camp
for ages 8-12, All Star Sports Camp for Ages 7-12
and Holz Farm Camp for Ages 5-10, Inventors’s
Camp for ages 6-12 and many more.
Call Eagan Parks & Recreation at (651) 675-5500
for dates and registration information or check out
the Discover Brochure at www.cityofeagan.com/
discover and keep your kids active, and discovering
new things all summer long.
Streets Alive: The Cedar
Grove Experience
Saturday, September 12
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Community Group registration is underway.
Find out more at www.cityofeagan.com/alive
Eagan’s High Quality Water
Eagan has top quality drinking water and the City’s
annual report on the topic provides a
good deal of information for residents
about the high standards it meets, where
it comes from, how we ensure it is safe
and is healthy and much more.
You’ll find the on-line report at www.
cityofeagan.com/drinkingwater or you can
request a printed copy by calling the utili-
ties division at (651)675-5200.
Make a Fireworks Parking Plan
Be sure to have a parking plan for
the fireworks display on July 4th at 10 p.m. The
former Lockheed Martin lot is now gone, so make
an alternate parking plan before heading out to
the festivities.
The Parade will end on Yankee Doodle Road this
year, so viewing will not be available along Central
Parkway.
Photo by Ken Cheung