The metro area's newest regional park — Whitetail Woods Regional Park in the middle of Dakota County — will begin to take shape in August when construction will begin on an entry road, parking lot, trail and commons area.

The county is working toward a tentative date of Dec. 6 to open the park to the public for walking and biking. Public buildings and camper cabins will be ready next year, said Taud Hoopingarner, operations management director for Dakota County.

The county has budgeted about $5 million for phase one development of the park.

County commissioners approved four contracts to get the work underway: S.M. Hentges and Sons. of Jordan for $2.7 million; George Siegfried Construction Co. of Bayport for $1.23 million; Trail Source LLC of Rosemount for $355,106 and HGA Architects and Engineers of Minneapolis for about $92,000.

The 460 acres was once used for farming and hunting.

Laurie Blake

@Striblblake