Transforming a Farmland

Doyle-Kennefick is a planned regional park is located in Central Scott County between St. Catherine and Lennon Lakes. This future park is currently in the acquisition and stewardship phase. Once fully acquired, it will include 1,139 acres of striking landscape including native hardwood forest, oak savanna, prairie, and pristine wetlands scattered across a rolling glacial topography.Volunteers will help transform the 1860s homestead from farmland into prairie and restore existing savannah by planting native shrubs, releasing milkweed seeds through a “podcast,” and busting buckthorn. is undergoing a multiyear restoration. Once acquired, the park will include 1,139 acres of striking landscape, native hardwood forest, oak savanna, prairie, and pristine wetlands scattered across a rolling glacial topography.Doyle-Kennefick has been identified as the most important natural resource area in its part of the county. Species found on the parcel include Blanding’s turtles, sandhill cranes and bald eagles, among more than 100 bird species and 300 native plant communities.Plans for the park include a nature center/outdoor discovery center, 13 miles of hiking and nature trails, 8 miles of bike trails, picnic shelter, trail head, and renovation and re-use of farmstead structures.This project is made possible by Scott County, Three Rivers Park District, National Turkey Federation, and Scott-Le Sueur MN Waterfowl Association.[su_custom_gallery source="media: 14623,14622,14621,14620,14619,14618,14617,14616,14624,14615,14614" target="blank" width="250" height="190" title="never"]