Dodge County Could Soon Have Its First Lake With a Beach, Fishing Pier, and Dog Park

Here’s something big for Dodge County in Southeast Minnesota. If everything goes as planned, the county could soon have its first-ever lake, and it’s not just a pond or a little water feature.

Paulson Lake would be the centerpiece of a major expansion at the new Restoration Park in Kasson, turning the current 32-acre park area into a 220-acre regional park with features you’d normally only expect to see at a state park.

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Dodge County’s First Lake at Restoration Park -- Why Now?

This all comes down to timing. The Stussy Quarry/Paulson Rock Products site, which sits just north of Restoration Park in north Kasson between 8th Ave NW and Hwy 57, is nearing the end of its quarry life. Project Manager with Dodge County Environmental Services, Melissa DeVetter, says the owners have given the county until June 2027 to purchase the property. If the county secures the land, it opens the door to transforming it into something completely new for the community.

What’s the Plan for the New Lake and Regional Park in Kasson?

The proposal doesn’t just add land; it also adds a lot of firsts for Dodge County. Here’s what the current vision includes:

• Swimming beach
• Fishing pier
• Limestone cliff trail and overlook
• Non-motorized boat launch for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.
• Equipment rentals and an information area.
• Off-leash dog park
• Environmental learning areas, including an outdoor classroom and pollinator prairie.
• Parking and access improvements

When you put it all together —the lake, the trails, fishing, the restored habitats, and the learning spaces —the expansion would make Restoration Park a true regional destination. At 220 acres, it would be big enough to offer multiple activities without crowding out the natural areas.

State Committee Reviewing Dodge County Park Project

The plan is moving forward. It’s been selected for review by the Capital Investment Committee, which is scheduled to stop by the Dodge County Government Services Building on September 17 at 10:30 a.m. for a presentation. That visit will help determine if the project gets state bonding dollars to fund the purchase and development.

Community support will play a big role, and residents are encouraged to attend and show just how much this project would mean for Dodge County.

More Dodge County News:

• Handwritten Sign Reveals Sudden Closure of Kasson Restaurant
• Singer-Songwriter From Kasson to Appear on New Season of The Voice
• Nearly $30K in Cash Stolen During Kasson Bar Burglary