Briefs: Inver Grove Heights seeks ideas for park, swing bridge

Inver Grove Heights is looking for thoughts about future development of Heritage Village Park and the Rock Island Swing Bridge in Inver Grove Heights. Both are off of Concord Blvd. near 66th Street.

Between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Veterans Memorial Community Center at 8055 Barbara Av., the city will present a proposed master plan for the park and allow members of the public to ask questions and make comments.

Questions also may be sent to Eric Carlson, parks and recreation director, at 651-450-2587 or at e-carlson@ci.inver-grove-heights.mn.us.

Miesville Ravine Park reopens following cleanup Miesville Ravine Park Reserve is open again for visitors after being closed for weeks following damaging storms.

The park in southeastern Dakota County reopened Aug. 3, although some areas are still inaccessible because of storm damage. County parks staff are asking people to stay on trails and to stay clear of areas that are marked as closed.

A storm on July 10 toppled trees and sent water gushing through the hilly park near the Cannon River. The water eroded trails and washed out ravines, damaged parking lots and left mud in the shelter and restrooms.

Information about park amenities and still-closed areas is available at the park kiosk and online at www.dakotacounty.us.

The grant will help pay for a restroom building, a picnic shelter, a parking lot and signs directing people to and from Concord Boulevard to the pier that offers a unique vista of the Mississippi River. The facilities will also serve as an access point to the Mississippi River Trail.

The infusion of federal money from the National Scenic Byways Grant Program -- a pot of money that was accessible because Concord Boulevard carries such a designation -- cuts the needed local contribution toward the project. It also allows Dakota County to construct all the items at once instead of stretching them out over years.

The plans will be drawn up this year, with expected construction and completion in 2013.

In addition to the grant, other contributions to the project include $80,000 from the National Park Service and $250,000 from Dakota County.

YMCA offering free nutrition classes A series of nutrition classes at the Eagan YMCA continues next week with a session on disease prevention, followed by a class on kids' nutrition a week later.

•Nutrition of disease prevention, at noon on Thursday, focusing on how what you eat has a lasting impact on your health, the effects of supplements and cutting your risk of common diseases.

•Nutrition for kids, at noon Aug. 23, tackling how to pack a healthy school lunch, find good after-school snacks, and fuel kids for sports and activities.

Everyone is welcome and no reservations are required. Those attending are encouraged to bring a bag lunch.

The Y is at 550 Opperman Drive, Eagan. For more information, call Kruse at 651-259-6176.