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COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Welcome

Welcome to Eden Prairie!

Eden Prairie’s list of accolades and rankings are impressive, but only our residents know the whole story about why our community is a great place to live, work and dream.

The varieties of opportunities for recreation and other forms of community involvement in Eden Prairie are endless. This Community Guide is a great resource for learning about the events, community resources, houses of worship and schools within the city.

Take time to explore this guide, and you will also discover the many outstanding nonprofit organizations that need volunteers like you in our community, as well as several service clubs, who work to make Eden Prairie a better place through their work in the community.

Discover a new favorite park in Eden Prairie. The amenities range from playgrounds and ball fields, to wide-open spaces for enjoying nature. Eden Prairie has all the outdoor amenities you’d expect from a city of its size, but it also has unique recreational offerings such as dog parks, an archery

range, a disc golf course and a skate plaza. There are also several outdoor ice rinks maintained throughout the winter season, as well as a groomed cross-country ski trail and giant sledding hill at Staring Lake Park.

In Eden Prairie you can spend an evening gazing at the sky at the Staring Lake Observatory, learn about nature at the Outdoor Center, and the Art Center is always bustling with activity, offering year-round classes for all ages. The Community Center, with its state-of-the art fitness equipment, ice rinks, racquetball courts, play structure and brand new Aquatics Center, is a focal point for the entire community. Older adults enjoy participating in all types of events and activities at the Senior Center as well.

All summer-long our residents enjoy the sights and sounds of concerts, theater performances and movies at the Staring Lake Amphitheatre and large-scale community events such as the 4th of July Hometown Celebration, creating fun and memorable times with friends and family.

I encourage you to get involved in our city – that is truly what makes Eden Prairie a “community.� Use this guide to help you find ways to work here, volunteer here, make friends here and build a family here.

Make yourself part of Eden Prairie.

Nancy Tyra-Lukens Mayor

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COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Inside

Living the good life in Eden Prairie Eden Prairie has been recognized nationally for its top-notch schools, diverse businesses, excellent community safety, great city services, expansive trails and beautiful parks.

Those qualities make it a great place that 2,200 businesses and more than 60,000 people call home.

Although Eden Prairie has developed the expansive farming and prairie land since its formal establishment in the 1960s, its settlement stretches back to the late 1850s.

City plans that were established in the 1960s are alive today and form the foundation for future growth.

Inside this guide to Eden Prairie, you will discover some aspects of what makes the city desirable and nationally recognized. We will offer information about Eden Prairie’s acclaimed schools, trails, parks, community centers and churches. We’ll profile the police and fire departments, highlight the libraries, touch on Eden Prairie history and much more.

We hope you find this guide to be a helpful tool in learning more about Eden Prairie and all it has to offer, even if you’ve been a life-long resident.

10917 Valley View Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 current.mnsun.com

Editors ..............................................Michelle Doeden, Matthew Hankey Writers.............................................. Michelle Doeden and Paul Groessel Photography .......................................... Michelle Doeden, Paul Groessel, file photos, city of Eden Prairie Layout & Design .................................. Keith Anderson, Matthew Hankey Cover ................................Photo by Paul Groessel, Design by Ellie Martin Sales ............................................................. Veronica Vagher Palmquist Advertising Director ........................................................ Cheri O'Bannon Executive Editor ................................................................ Peggy Bakken Director of News .............................................................. Keith Anderson General Manager ..................................................................Mark Weber Special thanks to Eden Prairie Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens for her participation in this guidebook, providing the welcome to Eden Prairie message.

Our appreciation also goes to the city of Eden Prairie, the Hennepin County Library System and the many community organizations and local businesses that supported this publication.

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Bryant Lake a recreation gem Eden Prairie residents can bask on a sandy beach, play disc golf or check out the greenery at Bryant Lake Regional Park.

The park is nestled in 170 beautiful acres of rolling hills, woodlands, wetlands and grasslands. Among the scenery, one might spot deer, waterfowl or songbirds that have made the park their home. Here people can enjoy activities such as disc golf on an 18-hole course or swimming in the sand-bottomed Bryant Lake.

Finding a great place to have a party or get-together? Look no further then the enclosed Bryant Lake Pavilion, which offers seating for up to 150 people and features a fireplace, refrigerator, sink and several grills.

This facility is a great spot for casual wedding receptions, corporate events, birthday parties and school groups. It is also close to popular park attractions such as the play area, beach, fishing pier and bike and hiking trails.

The park also hosts the training site for the Twin Cities Youth Rowing Club, which was founded in 2008 by experienced coaches, parents and rowers who wanted to make the sport of rowing more accessible to youth.

The 18-hole disc golf course at Bryant Lake Regional Park offers short and long tee boxes, scenic lake views and the infamous hole No. 17, which is where golfers throw their discs off a cliff to reach the basket.

Certain holes have two baskets to give players an option.

There are many options when it comes to enjoying the great outdoors at Bryant Lake Regional Park for Eden Prairie residents.

COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 City

Eden Prairie: In a class of its own Eden Prairie residents don’t have to be told they live in one of the best cities in the country.

Eden Prairie, home to more than 60,000 residents, numerous diverse businesses, excellent schools and numerous public spaces, is locally and nationally lauded as one of the best cities to live in.

Along with the regional and national attention, residents themselves also find it a great place to live.

In a 2014 survey, 95 percent of residents found the quality of life in Eden Prairie as good or excellent.

Less than 20 miles southwest of Minneapolis, the city is accessible by several highways, such as Highways 62, 169 and 212, as well as Interstate 494.

For some of the 2,200 businesses in the city (including Super Valu, ADC and the Minnesota Vikings), The Flying Cloud Airport is a great travel service. The airport is also a hub for recreational flyers.

For those traveling closer to home, the SouthWest Transit system is one of the finest busing and transportation systems for those commuting into and out of the city for work or fun.

Highways and travel routes don’t necessarily mean congestion. Eden Prairie has more than 125 miles of trails and 1,000 acres of developed parkland.

The city also operates numerous facilities that community members can utilize, including the Eden Prairie Community Center, Senior Center, Arts Center, Staring Lake Park Amphitheatre, the Riley-Jacques Barn and the Outdoor Center.

It also owns and operates three profitable, top-notch liquor stores that bring in $1 million to pay for city services.

If there’s a place you want to let your dog loose, go disc golfing, skating, sledding or just about anything else, chances are Eden Prairie has it.

The city is served by Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens and Eden Prairie City Council members Brad Aho, Ron Case, Kathy Nelson and Sherry Butcher Wickstrom. They make decisions on important city functions and services such as streets, parks, public safety, as well as other city operations. Commissions also advise the city council on matters such as finance, human rights, heritage preservation, parks and natural resources and other topics.

City Center, city offices 8080 Mitchell Road 952-949-8300

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COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Eden Prairie Schools

Public schools make community great The award-winning Eden Prairie School District has numerous options for its roughly 9,000 students.

The district is led by Supt. Curt Tryggstad and includes a high school, middle school and six elementary schools, including Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion.

Within the schools, academic and support specialists collaborate with teachers to design and deliver personalized classroom instruction to ensure that all students reach their full potential. Some of these efforts include the i-Learn@EP digital program in which students use technology to engage with the materials, the Mosaic full-day program for gifted students in grades 3-7, and the STEM-based curriculum that focuses on science, technology, engineering and math.

Outside the typical grade schools, the district also has an Education Center that offers classes for any age, including Early Childhood Family Education, preschool, Early Childhood Special Education and more. The district also offers both half- and full-day kindergarten and before- and after-school programs.

At Eden Prairie High School, besides its acclaimed sports teams that often make it to state championships,

its students’ academic accomplishments stand out the most.

The high school also has had some of the most National Merit Scholar finalists in the state and was recently rated one of the best schools in the state for college preparation.

Eden Prairie Schools has been named one of the best 100 communities in the nation for music education. The ranking is partly based on community advocacy for quality programs, including its music programs.

And, the district’s teachers and students are aided by an organization separate from the school district, the Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools, which raises funds that go directly to Eden Prairie students and teachers, among other forms of support.

Information: edenpr.org Administrative Services Center 8100 School Road 952-975-7000

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COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Community Center

Find your fun at Community Center The Eden Prairie Community Center is a public facility available to walk-in participants as well as members, for a monthly or annual fee. Residents visit the Community Center to host meetings, parties, to work out, swim, skate and participate in a variety of programs offered throughout the year.

Patrons can expect top-of-the-line cardio equipment, resistance training and free weights available in the fitness area. There are more than 100 group fitness classes offered each week, including Zumba, Barre, aquatics, yoga, Pilates and more.

Phase one of the Eden Prairie Aquatics Center upgrade project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2015. Improvements include a dry-land training room, two eight-lane competition pools, a diving well and climbing wall. It is anticipated that phase two, which includes a zero-depth leisure pool, hot tub, waterslide and other features, will be completed in winter 2016.

A variety of skating activities take place on the three indoor, regulation-size sheets of ice. The Community Center is home to the Eden Prairie Hockey Association and the Eden Prairie Figure Skating Club.

Youth and adults enjoy the Community Center’s open gymnasium and take full advantage of the opportunities to play pickup and league basketball, pickleball and volleyball. The gymnasium has two full-sized racquetball courts that can also be used for wallyball.

For more information and to view schedules visit edenprairie.org/communitycenter.

Eden Prairie Community Center 16700 Valley View Road 952-949-8470 8

COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Community Education

Never too old, or young, to learn Finally want to learn swing dancing? Or how to cook that Mediterranean dish you’ve been meaning to try?

Through the Adult Enrichment Classes, one of several programs offered by Eden Prairie Community Education, life-long learners can pick up new business skills or hobbies even under a tight schedule.

Classes in fitness, cooking, languages, technology, history, music, maintenance and much more are offered during the day, evening, weekend and summer.

The EPIC youth program ignites interest and challenges students in a fun, safe and supportive atmosphere. These enrichment and recreational classes are a good opportunity to learn fun things outside of class.

Usually held at elementary schools, the program connects students to learning a variety of topics, whether it’s learning a new art form, playing soccer or learning how a robot works.

The Early Childhood Program in Community Education encompasses many things and serves more than 1,000 families each year through Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and preschool. ECFE classes are designed to strengthen families and support children’s healthy growth and development ongoing weekly and one-time classes provide parenting tips that can be used immediately. The newly re-designed Little Eagles Preschool program provides children with all aspects of developmental preparation. The program content, highly qualified teachers and use of best teaching practices

earned the preschool program the highest state Parent Aware rating of four stars.

These are just a sample of the age groups and subjects Community Education touches on. Eden Prairie Community Education publishes seasonal catalogues with pages of courses, registration and fee details.

The catalogues and much more information is also available on the Eden Prairie Community Education website, epcommunityed.org.

Programs offered: • Adult Enrichment Classes • Adult Basic Education and ESL • Adults with Disabilities • Teen Driver Education • EPIC Youth Program • Youth Leadership and Service • Youth Tutoring • Little Eagles Preschool • Early Childhood Family Education • Early Childhood Special Education • Early Childhood Screening • Free Infant Classes • Facility Rental Eden Prairie Community Education 8040 Mitchell Road 952-975-6940 9

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COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Eden Prairie Library

Library offers customer-driven services The Eden Prairie Library is a customer-driven library in a community that values public library service.

In 2013, approximately 20,000 patrons visited the library. Additionally, more than 15.7 million items were checked out in 2013.

Eden Prairie Library’s collection of materials in English, Chinese, Spanish, Hindi, Russian, Somali and Vietnamese serves the area’s increasingly diverse population. Audio books, books on career planning and business resources are also in high demand. About 80 computers are available for free use, many of them with Microsoft office products and 12 with document and photo scanners.

The library regularly partners with the Friends of the Eden Prairie Library and other local organizations to offer children’s book clubs, computer classes for seniors, “Paws to Read” sessions that reinforce children’s reading skills, educational programs for grade school and high school students and many other learning opportunities.

The Friends sponsor four book sales each year to raise funds for library programs and initiatives, and they collaborate and work with the library to make it a welcom-

ing place. New members are welcomed. When asked why they are involved, these helpful volunteers described the library as a place to “share a love of learning and reading” with the large diverse community of Eden Prairie and a place to “develop future readers.”

The Eden Prairie Library is located 565 Prairie Center Drive in Eden Prairie.

The Eden Prairie Library 565 Prairie Center Drive 612-543-6275 Hennepin County libraries Hennepin County Library consists of 41 libraries located in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County and is recognized as one of the top library systems in the country.

Hennepin County Library offers about five million books, CDs, DVDs, downloadables and other resources in more than 40 languages. About 1,970 public computers and mobile devices including iPads were accessed by patrons in Hennepin County libraries more than 2.3 million times in 2013.

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COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Parks

Plenty of park space to discover Although well developed, the City of Eden Prairie offers plenty of park and preserved natural space.

Along with a variety of city amenities, including ball fields, beaches and skating rinks, Eden Prairie also has more than 1,000 acres of developed parkland and more than 125 miles of trails.

There are more than 50 parks and conservation areas in Eden Prairie.

Bluffs West 2 10292 Edinburgh Circle

Edenbrook Conservation Area 6655 Dell Road

Bryant Lake Park 6800 Rowland Road

Edenvale Conservation Area 7200 Edenvale Blvd.

Camp Edenwood 6350 Indian Chief Road

Edenvale Park 7200 Edenvale Blvd.

Cardinal Creek Conservation Area 12828 Gerard Drive

Edgewood Park 6950 Edenvale Blvd.

Carmel Park 11610 Tyrell Drive

Flying Cloud Fields 15219 Pioneer Trail

Creekwood Park 12341 Sunnybrook Road

Forest Hills Park 13708 Holly Road

Crestwood Park 9780 Dell Road

Franlo Park 10245 Franlo Road

Birch Island Woods Conservation Area 6410 Indian Chief Road

Eden Lake Park 11700 Anderson Lakes Pkwy.

Hidden Ponds Park 18300 Twilight Trail

Bluffs West 1 10458 Devonshire Place

Eden Valley Park 16600 Duck Lake Trail

High Trail Estates Park 6608 W. 168th Ave.

Parks Anderson Lakes Park 10000 Anderson Lakes Pkwy.

Birch Island Park 6225 Eden Prairie Road

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COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Parks

Holasek Hill Park 6395 Pinnacle Drive

Pioneer Park 8940 Sutton Drive

Round Lake Park 16691 Valley View Road

Homeward Hills Park 12000 Silverwood Drive

Prairie Bluff Conservation Area 10092 Indigo Drive

Rustic Hills Park 17465 Rustic Hills Drive

James A. Brown Conservation Area 11449 Landing Road

Prairie East Park 10379 Balsam Way

Smetana Lake Park 7620 Smetana Lane

Prairie View Park 17255 Peterborg Road

Staring Lake Park 13600 Pioneer Trail

Purgatory Creek Park 13001 Technology Drive

Sterling Field Park 17800 Sterling Terrace

Red Rock Conservation Area 15440 Village Woods Drive

Timber Creek Conservation Area 6395 Ginger Drive

Mitchell Marsh Conservation Area 7520 Eileen St.

Red Rock Lake Park 15416 Boulder Pointe Road

Topview Park 7231 Gerard Drive

Nesbitt Preserve Park 8641 Center Way

Rice Marsh Lake Park 8266 Erin Bay

Westgate Conservation Area 7672 Bittersweet Drive

Nine Mile Creek Conservation Area 7790 Golden Triangle Drive

Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area 18700 Flying Cloud Drive

Willow Park 7402 Butterscotch Road

Overlook Park 9514 Grey Widgeon Place

Riley Creek Conservation Area 9795 Canopy Trail Riley Lake Park 9180 Riley Lake Road

Lower Purgatory Creek Conservation Area 9943 Homeward Hills Road Miller Park 8208 Eden Prairie Road

Pheasant Woods Park 8420 Mitchell Road

Wyndham Knoll Park 6525 Dell Road Parks & Recreation Department 8080 Mitchell Road 952-949-8442

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COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Public Safety

Police, fire departments keep city safe Residents can thank the dedicated men and women of the Eden Prairie Police and Fire Departments for their safety.

The Eden Prairie Police Department is made up of 150 staff and volunteers that serve the 36-square-mile city, answering an average of 52,000 calls per year. The patrol division includes a lieutenant, seven sergeants and 34 officers. There are seven patrol units, as well as the secondary canine, field training, traffic, reserve, emergency response, crime tech and crisis intervention team units.

The investigations division is made up of the criminal investigations unit, the school liaison unit, the special investigations unit and the explorer unit. There are two sergeants, a lieutenant, 13 officers and three civilians in the investigations division. The support division consists of the records, dispatch, professional development, support operations, community service/animal control, retail crime, zoning and licensing, chaplain and airport unit. There are three sergeants, a lieutenant, two supervisors, two sworn officers and 24 civilians in the support division.

The mission of the Eden Prairie Fire Department is to lead and strive to minimize risk, increase safety and improve the quality of life in the community through education, code compliance and emergency response. The fire department responds to more than 1,500 calls per year and is made up of 95 paid, on-call firefighters and nine full-time firefighters.

The building inspections division issues nearly 7,500

building permits each year, and through a process of more than 11,500 inspections, oversees an average of $235 million in development projects annually. The fire prevention division consists of four fire prevention specialists who inspect businesses, day cares and rental units throughout the city, as well as provide fire safety education for schools, businesses and residents.

The emergency response division oversees maintenance and programming of approximately 960 handheld radios throughout the city, manages the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s radio tower and provides support to the joint police and fire dispatch center, as well as provides security systems to more than 20 city-operated facilities. The emergency preparedness division oversees the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Emergency Response Team, made up of 110 community volunteers who are trained in disaster preparedness, as well as the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CodeRED emergency notification system that provides high-speed telephone calling and text messaging directly to homes, businesses and mobile phone users.

The Eden Prairie police and fire departments provide a number of programs, services and community events each year. These include car seat safety inspections, safety camp, an open house event and the annual Night to Unite celebration.

Police Department 8080 Mitchell Road 952-949-6200

Fire Department 14800 Scenic Heights Road 952-949-8336 15

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COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 AirExpo 2015

An event for the aviation buff in us all Both aviation veterans and ground-bound members of the general public can experience the thrill of flight during the annual AirExpo, held at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie in July.

For the 2015 show, scheduled July 11-12, event organizer Wings of the North expects 8,000 attendees and more than 40 aircraft and 50 distinguished guests.

Some of those distinguished guests include a Doolittle Raider, a Flying Tiger, World War II WASPs (Womens Airforce Service Pilots), Vietnam Red River Valley Fighter Pilot Association members, SR-71 pilots, US MiG pilots and aces from both World War II and Vietnam.

For AirExpo 2015, the VIP contingent is expected to include Dick Cole, the 99-year-old who flew as Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot in the famed 1942 raid on Japan. Cole was part of an operation that yielded relatively little physical damage to the enemy but is credited as a moral victory that reminded Japanese – and American – forces that the home island of Japan was not immune to attack.

These decorated aviators are coming to Eden Prairie from across the country, not asking for a dime. While Wings of the North pays their trip expenses, they are here because they enjoy being around those who appreciate their past air-borne feats.

Aviation and history buffs can buy tickets to have dinner with the VIPs at the “Evening with the Eagles,” held at the Minneapolis Marriott Southwest on Saturday,

July 11. After the meal, several of the VIPs will take part in a symposium.

As usual, patrons can see and even take a ride in some historic planes during the show. Expected for 2015 is a B-17G Flying Fortress from the Yankee Air Museum.

The B-17 is a four-engine bomber the Allied Forces utilized during World War II. Other planes, about half of those at the yearly event, fly as well, just not with paying passengers. There is no aerobatic flying, however, which the Metro Airports Commission prohibits.

There are also daily symposiums at the AirExpo with discussion topics that include World War II theaters and the wars in Korea and Vietnam, as well as more recent operations.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 8-12.

Children 7 and younger are admitted for free. Tickets for the July 11 “Evening with the Eagles” event are $49.50.

The main gates open both days at 8 a.m. for a pancake breakfast. Event is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 11, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 12. Event is rain or shine.

For more information, visit airexpo-mn.org.

AirExpo 2015 Flying Cloud Airport 10100 Flying Cloud Drive, Gate A 952-746-6100 17

COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Facilities

Park facilities offers options for all The city of Eden Prairie offers a variety of parks and recreational activities for all seasons.

Below is a list of park pavilions, dog parks, facilities available for rent, a disc golf course and other points of interest.

Parks and Recreation Rental Facilities For more information visit edenprairie.org/facilityrentals. Reservations are available by calling 952949-8333.

Edenvale Park Building 7200 Edenvale Blvd.

Riley Lake Park Pavilion 9180 Riley Lake Road

Forest Hills Park Building 13708 Holly Road

Riley-Jacques Barn 9096 Riley Lake Road

Homeward Hills Park Barn 12000 Silverwood Drive

Round Lake Park Building 16691 Valley View Rd

Miller Park Building 8405 Shoreline Drive (off Eden Prairie Road)

Round Lake Park Pavilion 16691 Valley View Road

Nesbitt Preserve Park Building 8641 Center Way

Eden Prairie Community Center 16700 Valley View Road

Prairie View Park Building 17255 Peterborg Road

Crestwood Park Building 9780 Dell Road

Purgatory Creek Park Lambert Pavilion 13001 Technology Drive

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Senior Center 8950 Eden Prairie Road Staring Lake Park Amphitheatre 14800 Pioneer Trail Staring Lake Park Building 14800 Pioneer Trail

COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Facilities

Off-Leash Dog Exercise Areas

Disc Golf

952-974-3906

Flying Cloud Dog Park (open year-round) 7171 Flying Cloud Drive

Staring Lake Park, 9 holes 14800 Pioneer Trail

Edenvale Park 7200 Edenvale Blvd 952-937-3476

Staring Lake Park (seasonal) 13800 Pioneer Trail

Hockey Rinks Crestwood Park Hockey Rink (seasonal) 9780 Dell Road Open April to October Edenvale Park Hockey Rink (seasonal) 7200 Edenvale Boulevard Open Aprilâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Oct. Homeward Hills Park Hockey Rink (seasonal) 12000 Silverwood Drive Open April to October Nesbitt Preserve Park Hockey Rink (seasonal) 8641 Center Way Open April to October Bryant Lake Park (Part of Three Rivers Park District) 6464 Rowland Road

Archery Range 13600 Pioneer Trail in Staring Lake Park Staring Lake Park (North of the J.R. Cummins-Grill Homestead) 13600 Pioneer Trail

Skating Rinks Staring Lake Park Ice Rink 14800 Pioneer Trail 952-934-7120 Round Lake Park 16691 Valley View Road 952-934-7114 Prairie View Park 17255 Peterborg Road 952-934-6057 Homeward Hills Park 12000 Silverwood Drive 952-942-8211 Crestwood Park 9780 Dell Road

Forest Hills Park 13708 Holly Road 952-937-0928 Nesbitt Preserve Park 8641 Center Way 952-983-0607 Miller Park 8208 Eden Prairie Road 952-975-1889

Skiing and Sledding Staring Lake Sledding Hill 14800 Pioneer Trail Staring Lake Ski Trail East Entrance 13800 Pioneer Trail Information such as hours, schedules, rules and rental rates are available by contacting the city.

Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation 952-949-8442 edenprairie.org/parksandrec 19

COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Municipal Liquor

Liquor stores serve more than spirits If Eden Prairie residents grab a six-pack of pale ale, a bottle of pinot noir or a 12-year-old bottle of Irish whiskey from Eden Prairie Liquor stores, they’re not exactly throwing their money down the drain. They’re throwing it down the street.

The city owns and operates three liquor stores (all near grocery stores) with a large selection of hop, grape and grain-based beverages.

The city’s three Eden Prairie Liquor locations generate more than $1 million in profits annually. Revenues generated from liquor operations are transferred to the city’s capital improvement plan fund. Some of this year’s CIP projects included improvements to playground equipment, ice rink dasher boards and parking lots at several city parks, as well as street and trail maintenance throughout the community.

Like any good liquor store, they have wine tastings, a wine club membership and monthly sales.

Each month brings a new sale that includes a wine, beer and spirit.

For instance, the stores usually have sales on a variety of wines. They take both top-selling wines and boutique wines and reduce the prices. They also lower prices on the 1.75 liter bottles and 12 packs of beer.

They also reduce the price on spirits and usually a craft beer. The sale items are, of course, seasonally adjusted – lighter drinks when it’s warm and darker liquids when it’s cold outside.

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For even more savings, customers can also sign up for the Wine Club. For a $25 annual fee, members get 15 percent off every regular priced bottle of wine in the store, at all times, regardless of how many bottles are purchased.

Members also get a free ticket to the annual wine tasting event that takes place in the spring. At this event, 20-25 venders have wines to sample that are available for order at a discounted price.

They also have four educational wine tasting events with a wine expert.

These amenities are just part of a consistent, upscale service at the stores, which feature wide open isles, beautiful waterfall end caps, wood racking and a nice wine bar.

Eden Prairie liquor store locations: 8018 Den Road (near Cub Foods) 952-914-0032 16508 W 78th St (near Kowalski’s) 952-949-8423 968 Prairie Center Drive (near Byerly’s) 952-949-8433

Store Hours: Monday–Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday Closed

COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Map

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COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Chamber of Commerce

Eden Prairie Chamber builds success Whether Eden Prairie businesses are large or small, the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce can keep them connected and informed.

Led by president Pat MulQueeny, the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce is the largest single-city chamber in the Twin Cities metro area. With more than 500 area businesses participating, and more than 120 events and programs each year, the chamber is helping businesses build success now and in the future.

The chamber was founded in 1969 and offers a variety of various programs, volunteer opportunities and experiences for its members, residents and students.

The chamber also represents its members on local, state and federal issues, which is partly done through its government committee.

The chamber focuses on key aspects for its members including networking opportunities, being the voice of business and advocating on policy and political issues that impact businesses, supporting leadership development and working on community building and strengthening the local economy. Many of the programs are designed to help business people connect â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to gain new clients, better vendors and gain visibility for 22

their business. The chamber also provides direct access to elected officials so businesses can have their voices heard and get updates on issues impacting them.

The chamber also works to build future leaders through its Fusion (young professionals) group. This program is designed to provide learning opportunities, hear from great speakers on topics that help participants in their current positions be more successful and advance their careers. In addition, the chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Student Membership Program has helped nearly 200 high school seniors gain valuable business skills, find mentors and job shadows and help them be prepared for their future careers since its inception.

Community programs and opportunities the chamber offers include the annual Home, Landscape and Garden Expo every March that has more than 100 exhibitors and attracts close to 2,000 attendees, plus international trips to destinations including Cuba, China, Italy, Ireland and more.

Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce 11455 Viking Drive, Suite 270 952-944-2830

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COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Faith

Finding faith in Eden Prairie Eden Prairie has many churches providing places of worship for people of various faiths: Christ Lutheran Church 16900 Main St. 952-937-1233 City Hill Fellowship 12901 Roberts Drive 952-941-7290

Immanuel Lutheran Church of Eden Prairie 16515 Luther Way 952-937-8123 Irshad Islamic Center 6520 Edenvale Blvd.

952-681-7785

Prairie Hill Evangelical Free Church 17200 Valley View Road 952-937-9593 Prairie Lutheran Church 11000 Blossom Road 952-829-0525

King of Glory Lutheran Church 17850 Duck Lake Trail 952-934-1708

Resurrection Life Church & World Ministry Center 16397 Glory Lane 952-934-5433

Liberty Baptist Church 6500 Baker Road 952-934-0811

St. Andrew Lutheran Church 13600 Technology Drive 952-937-2776

LifePath Christian Community 9957 Valley View Road 952-942-5447

Victory Lutheran Church 16200 Berger Drive 952-934-0956

Eden Prairie United Methodist Church 15050 Scenic Heights Road 952-937-8781

Masjid Al-Tawba 6871 Flying Cloud Drive 952-946-6061

Wooddale Church 6630 Shady Oak Road 952-944-6300

Grace Church 9301 Eden Prairie Road 952-926-1884

Pax Christi Catholic Community 12100 Pioneer Trail 952-941-3150

Eden Prairie Assembly 16591 Duck Lake Trail 952-934-2173 Eden Prairie Presbyterian Church 9145 Eden Prairie Road 952-937-8000

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COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 History

Eden Prairie abounds with history Some of the first settlers chose the Minnesota River Valley, the southern portion of the city, to stake their claims and provide the city its namesake.

In the early 1850s, John McKenzie and others platted a village they called Hennepin. Other settlers, including Hiram Abbott, claimed a northern part of the prairie after a land purchase was made with Dakota Native Americans in 1851. By 1858, the Eden Prairie Township was established. That township, according to the Eden Prairie Historical Society, was nearly 20,000 acres, plenty of room for the 749 people who lived there in 1880. The land they shared was worth $266,303, according to the land valuation at the time.

The first schoolhouse, an 18-by-24-foot log house, was constructed in 1854, which was also the year of the earliest reported religious service.

The growth of the area began in the 1960s after farmers began selling their land. People quickly began moving to the area, and the township officially became a village in 1963.

Today, the Eden Prairie Historical Society has helped keep residents connected to the city’s history, including historical sites such as the popular Dunn Bros. coffee shop in the historic Smith-Douglas-More House and the recently renovated Cummins-Phipps-Grill Homestead across from the Flying Cloud Airport.

The Eden Prairie Veterans Memorial is another impor26

tant site with bronze statutes and an “Honor Wall” that commemorates 17 people from Eden Prairie killed in armed services, dating back to the Civil War. The Veterans Memorial Committee, separate from the Historical Society, took years to raise funds for the special memorial, which debuted in November 2009.

To keep in touch with history, the Eden Prairie Historical Society has regular events.

Summer and fall events: • Fall Harvest Celebration is held in October at the Riley-Jacques Barn and Dorenkemper House. For more information, visit edenprairie.org.

These event schedules may change, and the Historical Society will have new events and more information as they are announced.

For more information, visit edenprairiehistory.org.

Historic sites: • Eden Prairie History Center and Museum, City Center, 8080 Mitchell Road • Smith-Douglas-More House, 8107 Eden Prairie Road • Riley-Jacques Barn & Dorenkemper House, 9096 Riley Lake Road • Cummins-Phipps-Grill House, 13600 Pioneer Trail • Veterans Memorial, Purgatory Creek Conservation area, 13001 Technology Drive

COMMUNITY GUIDE 2015 Senior Center

Senior Center celebrates vitality Open weekdays and occasional evenings and weekends, the Eden Prairie Senior Center is the epicenter of activity for older adults in Eden Prairie. Staff members work closely with participants to offer a variety of events and programs featuring something for everyone.

Some of the most popular activities include fitness and wellness programs, recreation programs and commoninterest groups, special events, as well as day trips and overnight trips.

Fitness, health and wellness programs include a yearround walking club, biking group, tai chi classes, silver sneakers classes and zumba classes. In addition, several seminars are offered throughout the year on a variety of topics such as financial planning, driving safety, navigating the health care system and more.

A variety of recreational programs and commoninterest groups are offered on a weekly and biweekly basis. Participants enjoy playing bridge, cribbage, hand and foot, mah jongg, pinochle or get together for craft-

ing, quilting or woodworking.

Special events such as the Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breakfast, spring lunch, garden party, summer BBQ, golf tournament, veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breakfast, fall lunch and holiday lunch give participants a chance to enjoy a catered meal and socialize with friends.

Day trips and overnight trips are offered throughout the year to destinations around the metro and the surrounding upper Midwest. These events offer opportunities to enjoy theater productions, tour historic sites, check out beautiful scenery and more.

Visit edenprairie.org/seniorcenter to learn more and find out about all the opportunities the Senior Center has to offer.

Eden Prairie Senior Center 8950 Eden Prairie Road 952-279-8058 27

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