Lakeville will soon get an adaptive mini-golf course for more accessible recreation.
The city of Lakeville, in partnership with the South Metro Miracle League and other community partners, will be adding an adaptive 9-hole mini-golf course in King Park. This course will be fully accessible, intended to benefit children with disabilities.
The park is under construction and will open in spring 2020. While the course is designed for people with disabilities, anyone can use it, said John Hennen, director of parks and recreation for the city of Lakeville.
“It allows (all) kids … the opportunity to play miniature golf,” Hennen said.
JUST BRING A PUTTER
“Bring your own putter, drop a ball and play,” said Brian Roseen, director of South Metro Miracle League for Lakeville Baseball Association. “It’s open to everybody.”
The course will include 9 holes and benches and picnic tables for public use. It will be connected to an accessible playground also located in the park.
“We’re going to further encourage those with disabilities to stay outside, get exercise and have fun,” Roseen said. “The power of this program is that we want people with and without disabilities out there so that they’re alongside each other so that we learn from each other.”
Lakeville’s King Park is located along Dodd Boulevard near the intersection with West 185th Street.
DONATIONS FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS
No city money was used for the project. It was paid for by donations and fundraising.
Partners on the project include the South Metro Miracle League, Appro Development, Brackett’s Crossing and Midwest Fence. According to a July newsletter, the league and Lakeville Rotary are each donating at least $25,000 for the project. The Lakeville Lions, Lion International, and Burnsville and Eagan Lions have committed to donating $152,255. Lakeville Liquors has raised over $35,000, and Brackett’s Crossing and Appro Development have also made significant donations.
Individual donations can also be made for the project at South Metro Miracle League’s website.
SOUTH METRO MIRACLE LEAGUE
The mini-golf course is the third project in King Park to cater to those with disabilities. Many of the participants in the South Metro Miracle League will be using the course, Roseen said.
“It’s been a very successful program,” he said. “It encourages our youth to reach out to those that may not be the same as them, but they learn that we’re really not so different.”
The league opened its Miracle Field in the park in 2011. The league added a handicap-accessible playground in 2014, Hennen said.
Angela Ardolf and her 14-year-old daughter, Ruby, have participated in the South Metro Miracle League for at least seven years.
“This adapted golf course is going to be another activity that will give her something that she can do,” Ardolf said. “For me, it’s opening up our community and making it more accessible to everybody, and I love that.”
