Inver Grove Heights has temporarily closed its city-run Heritage Village dog park after reports that a visitor heard a gunshot and then saw a bullet casing fly by in late October, according to city officials.
The city closed the dog park on Oct. 31 and city officials, including police officers and parks and recreation staff, were at the park investigating on Tuesday, Mayor Brenda Dietrich said.
The off-leash dog park, located at 4321 65th St., near the Mississippi River and the Rock Island Swing Bridge, covers 11 acres. Next door is the South St. Paul Rod and Gun Club.
Because it's deer-hunting season, Dietrich said, officials don't want to jump to the conclusion that the bullet was from the gun club.
"In an abundance of caution, the dog park is still closed," she said. "We're trying to be good neighbors and do a thorough search."
Dietrich posted on social media that the nearby Mississippi River Greenway trail remains open since Dakota County has found no evidence of bullets exiting the club.
The South St. Paul Rod and Gun Club said in a statement that bullets don't leave the facility's range.
"Projectile containment, capture, and overall range safety oversight as implemented is in place, preventing projectiles from leaving our facility and entering the surrounding areas such as trails, parks, and developments," the statement said.
