Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park has been enhanced with the creation of Ravine Landing, a 6,045‑square‑foot facility that replaces a deteriorating picnic shelter and provides a much‑needed warming house for local high school Nordic skiing teams. The 4,000‑square‑foot building features a multipurpose room with a kitchenette, covered outdoor space, and floor‑to‑ceiling windows overlooking the park’s trails. Its exposed glulam beams and cross‑laminated timber roof establish a warm, natural aesthetic that fits the surrounding landscape and represent the first installation of this roof type in Minnesota.
Construction required careful planning due to tight site boundaries and unexpected subsurface conditions, including bedrock removal and unsuitable soils. Despite these challenges, the timber roof was installed in just over a day, and the building frame went up within a week. The design incorporates gender‑inclusive restrooms, lantern roof elements that bring daylight inside, and strategic grading to accommodate the Nordic trail. Ravine Landing now offers Washington County a durable, beautifully crafted facility that supports year‑round programming and enhances the visitor experience.
Ravine Landing at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park
Address: 9653 Keats Ave. S., Cottage Grove
Project cost: $4 million
Project size: 4,000 square feet
Owner: Washington County
Contractor: H+U Construction
Architect: HGA
Engineer: HGA (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Structural)
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