SunThisweek Community Guides Apple Valley Guide 2018 | Page 4

APPLE VALLEY | ROSEMOUNT | FARMINGTON
C O M M U N I T Y
G U I D E
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WATCHDOG WALKERS
Farmington, Apple Valley, Rosemount:
Welcome to the third Apple Valley-Rosemount-Farm-
ington Community Guide. In recognition that many
Dakota County residents cross municipal boundaries
every day for work, recreation and other activities, Sun
Thisweek and the Dakota County Tribune have com-
bined to produce this guide. Following is a description
of what folks can fi nd in each of three communities we
feature in the guide.
Farmington and Rosemount
The cities of Farmington and Rosemount share much
in common other than their location in central Dakota
County. Both communities have slightly more than
22,000 residents. Both have downtown commercial ar-
eas with some historical elements and several locally-
owned businesses. Both have long and storied histories
in Dakota County. And residents in both cities have
demonstrated support for efforts that build community
such as their annual festivals and events, school endeav-
ors and volunteer organizations.
Farmington was once a small town serving area farm-
ers and made a strong bid to be the county seat at one
time. Farmington’s late-19th century roots shine through
upon a single visit to its historic downtown in the south-
ern end of the city.
Established in 1875, Rosemount is still cherished by its
4 | Apple Valley - Rosemount - Farmington| Community Guide 2018-19
residents for the city’s small-town feel though many of
its historic structures are long since gone.
Visitors to both communities will fi nd a slow-paced,
classic grid street layout around the downtown areas
fi lled with friendly faces, plenty of locally-owned estab-
lishments and pleasant parks. Farmington is highlight-
ed by some old-fashioned Victorian homes and bunga-
lows in the walkable older part of town. Rosemount’s
recent additions of a Dakota County branch library and
the conversion of an old church to the Steeple Center
arts and cultural site was joined in 2015 by a new addi-
tion with classroom and gathering spaces.
Farmington and Rosemount often feel like the rural
small towns of their inception, both with thriving grain
elevators and trains running through them, but there is
also a faster-paced, modern suburban side.
Farmington’s north end features many recreational
and commercial amenities but also a newer, more di-
verse housing stock for those looking for something
more contemporary. Rosemount also has many new
housing developments throughout town and modern
commercial sites along the County Road 42 strip.
Biking and walking trails abound, connecting both
parts of Farmington to its various parks, schools and
retail centers. Rosemount is a mecca of sorts for road cy-