Dorothy Mary Park
Rate this placeNearby: Sunny Lane Park Cherry Meadows Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Dorothy Mary Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in the state of Minnesota.
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Summary
Located in the city of Cottage Grove, the park offers visitors a variety of activities including hiking, fishing, picnicking, and nature observation. The park features a network of trails that wind through wooded areas and along the banks of the Mississippi River.
One of the main attractions of Dorothy Mary Park is its beautiful scenery. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the river and surrounding landscape from various vantage points throughout the park. The park also features several picnic areas and a playground, making it a great spot for families to spend the day.
Other points of interest in the area include the nearby St. Croix River and Afton State Park, both of which offer additional opportunities for outdoor recreation. Visitors can also explore the historic downtown area of Cottage Grove, which is home to several shops, restaurants, and museums.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Dorothy Mary Park was named after Dorothy Mary Knox, a local resident who donated the land for the park in the 1960s. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, beavers, and bald eagles.
The best time of year to visit Dorothy Mary Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park is in full bloom. However, visitors can also enjoy the park during the fall, when the foliage is at its peak and the colors are spectacular.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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