Lilydale Regional Park Projects

Current Projects

The Lilydale Regional Park Master Plan was adopted in 1991 and amended in 2009. The plan guides future park improvements and natural resources management. There are no active Parks and Recreation projects at Lilydale Regional Park at this time. For information on completed projects, see the archived project section below.

Visitor Information

Planning a trip to Lilydale Regional Park? Visit the Lilydale Regional Park webpage:

Lilydale Regional Park Webpage

Archived Projects

This bridge was originally constructed in 1894 and is now used exclusively for pedestrian and bicycle use. The historic single-arch limestone bridge was damaged in 2014 Mississippi River flooding, and the City of Saint Paul received funding from FEMA to rehabilitate the structure. Rehabilitation included replacement of damaged stones and mortar, new paving, and stabilization. The rehabilitation and stabilization construction began in September 2017 but completion that year was prevented due to fall river flooding and the arrival of winter weather. Construction proceeded when temperatures and river levels met project requirements. The bridge was reopened in 2019.
An extensive recycling/reuse project was completed to address environmental cleanup sites in Lilydale Regional Park. These efforts started with the removal of vegetation that had grown through the debris pile left in Lilydale Regional Park when the old town of Lilydale was relocated out of the flood plain in the late 1970s. A dozen larger elm and box elder trees were harvested by a local company that transformed the logs into usable building materials. The remaining trees were chipped and sold to District Energy for energy production. Once the vegetation was removed, the debris piles were sorted for reuse. Existing concrete, rubble, bituminous, and stone was crushed and was stockpiled on site for roadway and picnic shelter construction within the park. Contaminated material encountered was properly handled (as per MPCA requirements) and removed from the park. This cleanup/reuse project benefited Lilydale Regional Park greatly by restoring a portion of the park that was contaminated and unusable, and brought the park back to a more natural condition.
The City of Saint Paul Department of Parks and Recreation has been working to implement the approved master plan for Lilydale Regional Park since 2011. The first phase of construction began with environmental remediation of the old Marina Dump Site where material was removed or recycled for reuse in the park. In 2013, the first phase of roadway and trail construction began. This work included pulling the former County Highway away from Pickerel Lake. A new parkway road was constructed along with paved trails though-out the park. Water and sanitary sewer service were installed under the new roadway to serve a future rest room building overlooking Pickerel Lake. The second phase of roadway work began in 2014. This involved the separation of the existing roadway and regional trail at a critical pinch point within the park. Existing overhead electric lines were buried and water and sanitary sewer were installed under the new roadway. The third phase of roadway improvements in Lilydale Regional Park was completed in 2017. Work included reconstruction of 2,800 linear feet of roadway along with buried overhead electric lines and installation of water and sanitary sewer.

These projects have been funded by Clean Water Land and Legacy Funds and Metropolitan Council Capital Improvement Bonds.
The Department of Parks and Recreation is working with Great River Greening on native species restoration and invasive species management in Lilydale Regional Park. A number of trees in the area of the Brickyard Trailhead have been girdled as part of the invasive species management operations. The girdled trees are Black Locust which is an invasive tree not native to the upper Midwest, where it invades prairies, oak savannas and upland forest forming single species stands (monocultures). The Black Locust are first girdled prior to removal. Girdling the trees is an effective way to kill the trees without producing vigorous resprouting from the stump and roots. The trees are then removed once the tree and roots are dead. The goal is to reduce the prevalence of Black Locust and replanting with new, native trees to improve the native habitat and support wildlife .
Overview

Construction of the Lilydale Regional Park Picnic Shelter at Pickerel Lake was completed in 2021. The shelter was designed by American Institute of Architects National Firm of the Year winner, VJAA (vjaa.com), and provides visitors with a quiet place to relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of Lilydale Regional Park and Pickerel Lake. It includes seven picnic tables and a single-user restroom. Bike racks and a drinking fountain are also available at the picnic shelter which makes it a great place to rest for those walking, running, or biking on the nearby trails. The shelter is used on a first come, first served basis, and reservations are not available.

Community Open House - March 28, 2019

A community open house meeting was held on March 28th, 2019 at the El Rio Vista Recreation Center to review and discuss the design for the new picnic shelter. Members of the design team from VJAA and the City of Saint Paul were there to listen to feedback and provide information about the project. Please click the link below for design information presented at the meeting.

March 28, 2019 Lilydale Picnic Shelter Presentation Boards
Project Overview

Per the approved Lilydale Regional Park master plan amendment, a dog park and related amenities will be built southwest of the DNR boat launch parking lot. The dog park will be approximately 8.5 acres, fully fenced, with a 3/4 acre area designated for small dogs similar to the High Bridge dog park.

Construction is anticipated to begin late summer 2021. The budget for the project is $416,700 from Metropolitan Council Legacy Amendment funds.

Project Updates

June 2022: The dog park is now open! If you are traveling by car, park in the boat launch parking lot.

February 2022: Site clearing for fence lines and dog park entry gates occurred in early February. A few Ash trees will be cleared as well. The Contractor anticipates fence installation in April or May, dependent on weather.

December 2021: Upon receiving and reviewing three responsible bids, we have awarded the construction contract to Urban Companies. The anticipated construction schedule is:
- Late January 2022 - site clearing for dog park entrance and fence installation, ash tree removal
- When supplies, equipment, and weather permit in 2022 - fence, access pathway, furnishings installation, and seeding/restoration
October 2021: The Lilydale Dog Park was released for bid on www.stpaulbids.com. We will update this page after bids are reviewed and at that time we will also provide an expected construction timeline.

September 2021: Conditional Use Permit from City of Lilydale is approved.

August 2021: Construction documents and engineering plans are underway.

July 2021: The dog park layout plan is complete. Access is planned from the Boat Launch parking lot and near the bike trail crossing at Lilydale Road/Water Street.

Click this link for an enlarged version of the above image.

Engineer has issued a No Rise Certificate which demonstrates that the dog park fence will not increase flood elevations upstream or downstream.

Community Engagement

We brought the project before Lilydale Planning Commission in August 2021, and to Lilydale City Council in September 2021.

Extensive engagement occurred for the master plan and subsequent projects. A task force was convened between 2010 and 2012.