August 28, 2008: Thomas Lake Park/High Line Walking Trail (Eagan)

Join the group for a hike around the Thomas Lake Park and along the High Line Walking Trail in Eagan. Thomas Lake is a delightful park reserve tucked discreetly within this community. There are walking/jogging trails which loop around ponds and prairie restoration areas as well as provide scenic vistas of Thomas Lake itself. The park is buffered by surrounding deciduous forest. Thomas Lake Park is quiet and peaceful. The Thomas Lake Native Prairie is an example of one of the remaining remnant prairies in Eagan. The 19-acre prairie site has been managed for the past twenty years with the objective of restoring the land to its original prairie quality. The park contains over 80 species of prairie forbs (wildflowers), 17 species of prairie grasses, and 12 species of trees. Eagan was a part of Mendota Township in 1858, upon statehood. In 1860, Eagan Township was established by special legislation. The city is named for Patrick Eagan, the chair of the first township board. The area was called "The Onion Capital of the United States" in the 1880’s. Eagan became a village in 1972 and a city in 1974. The city’s population grew from 567 in 1860 to 1,185 in 1950, to 3,382 in 1960, to 10,398 in 1970, and to 66,504 currently.

If driving: Thomas Lake Park is located just north of the corner of Cliff Road/County Highway 32 and Pilot Knob Road in Eagan. Take I-35E to Pilot Knob Road. Follow Pilot Knob Road south. The park entrance is just past the intersection of Wilderness Run Road and Pilot Knob Road, near Fire Station #3, on the west (right) side of Pilot Knob Road.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 77C; 48A; 48G; 440. The bus service points appear to be the corner of Thomas Lake and Cliff Road (77C) or Johnny Cake Ridge Road and Cliff Road (48A, 48G, 440). Applicable Metro Transit Map

The group will reconvene at a nearby restaurant after the hike for dinner or dessert.

Map to the hike starting point: Wilderness Run Rd At Pilot Knob Rd
Eagan, MN 55122

Wilderness Inquiry's Summary of Thomas Lake Park

Map of Thomas Lake

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This page was last updated on July 28, 2008.