Burnsville MN Parks: History of 76 Parks & How to Adopt-A-Park

From Resort Town to Massive Park System

Burnsville's love affair with the outdoors predates the city itself. In 1864, rail access arrived and turned Burnsville into a thriving resort town, with cottages ringing Crystal Lake—the same waters that still draw boaters, fishers, and swimmers today.

As the suburb boomed in the late 20th century, the city made a deliberate, forward-thinking choice: rather than paving everything over, it banked land. Guided by an forward-looking Parks Master Plan that linked neighborhoods with trails, the city preserved more than 10 percent of its entire land area for green space.

🌳 TODAY — 76 Parks, and Two-Thirds Left Wild

Modern Burnsville is home to 76 parks spanning more than 1,750 acres, putting nearly every single resident within easy walking distance of a park. The striking part? Only about a third of that land is actually developed for active recreation.

The other two-thirds are meticulously preserved as natural wild habitat. The city also hosts pieces of two major regional wildlands: the 1,300-acre Black Dog unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in the northeast, and a portion of the 2,400-acre Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in the southwest.

The local "greatest-hits" list features:

• Crystal Lake: The ultimate recreation lake for boating, fishing, jet-skiing, and swimming.
• Alimagnet Dog Park: One of the largest off-leash dog parks in the nation, offering 7 fenced acres inside an 85-acre wooded park.
• Recreation Hubs: The Burnsville Ice Center's two professional rinks, a free summer skate park, and the 9-hole Birnamwood Golf Course.
• Neighborhood Spaces: More than 58 playgrounds alongside Nicollet Commons Park, the downtown green at the center of the Heart of the City.

Much of the park system's newest sparkle comes directly from volunteers. The Burnsville Savage Lions Club drove the development of the inclusive playground at Red Oak Park, the skate park at Civic Center Park, and the popular splash pad at Cliff Fen Park.

🤝 ADOPT-A-PARK — Your Group Can Claim One

That rider on the neighborhood entry sign—"Keep Burnsville Beautiful, Adopt-A-Park"—is a highly active community program.

The city manages registration directly through its online volunteer portal. Residents, business groups, or families can complete a simple application to select their park, and the city installs a permanent recognition sign crediting the group at the park entrance.

Two excellent sibling volunteer programs are also worth knowing:

• Adopt-a-Woodlot: Focused on the wilder two-thirds of the park system. Volunteers commit to a two-year partnership to cut invasive buckthorn and pull garlic mustard during targeted spring and fall workdays.
• Adopt-a-Street: Requires a minimum one-mile commitment. Groups handle litter pickup at least three times a year, and the city installs a custom street sign honoring your group's name.

🚗 How to Ride MVTA Connect To Any Burnsville Park

You can easily reach this location using MVTA Connect, an affordable on-demand, curb-to-curb microtransit service within Burnsville.

• Curb-to-Curb Service: Accessible vans or small buses drop you off directly at your destination.
• The Flat Cost: A budget-friendly $3.00 per person each way.
• Payment Methods: Payable via cash, Go-To Card, or the MVTA App 
• Service Hours: Operates daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM (plan ahead for late-night game conclusions).

How to Book Your Ride

• Order via Smartphone: Use the MVTA App (iOS and Android). Input your pickup location, track your driver's real-time ETA, and purchase tickets directly in the app.
• Order via Phone Call: Call MVTA Customer Service at 952-882-7500 to place a live ride request with a representative.

(To view open locations or apply, search for the volunteer portal on the official city site at burnsvillemn.gov)

City of Burnsville — Parks & Recreation

100 Civic Center Parkway

Burnsville, MN 55337 

952-895-4400

Adopt a park via the city's volunteer portal