MnDOT Enfield Safety Rest and Picnic Area
Monticello, MN | Government + Cultural
Overview
ISG designed a rest area in a rural area along I-94 intended to provide a secure and natural space to take a break from highway driving.
Opportunity
MnDOT wanted a new rest stop on I-94 that provided plenty of opportunities for motorists to stretch their legs on their drive.
Solution
This new rest area was designed to reflect the region’s rural farmstead buildings. It is a unique, safe, convenient, and comfortable place for the more than 2,000 people who use the rest area every day. Situated on the busy I-94 corridor between St. Cloud and Minneapolis, this park-like rest area successfully incorporates new Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) standards that focus on the customer and are designed to be cost-effective, high-quality facilities based on lifetime costs and support a positive image of MnDOT and the State of Minnesota. Vibrant red gables, steep pitched roofs, and expansive windows draw in and welcome motorists. Play areas, picnic shelters, paths for people and animals, and winding walking paths into the forest all provide a break from highway driving while allowing visitors to maintain secure views of their vehicles. Built with durable, high-quality construction materials, the rest area is cost-effective to maintain, can withstand heavy use, and was intentionally designed to help prevent vandalism and damage. Native trees and vegetation provide both durable and sustainable growth as well as minimal maintenance.