Sunplymouthguide2013 by Sun Newspapers

PLYMOUTH

2014

2013

muni m t o

guide ★★★

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Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

WElcome

Plymouth: Home to 71,000 people Quality – it’s why more than 71,000 residents are proud to call Plymouth their home. That same quality of life is what attracts and retains businesses, which provide almost 50,000 jobs. And it’s what keeps the community thriving. Plymouth boasts outstanding schools, safe neighborhoods, beautiful lakes, well-maintained parks and trails, diverse recreation programs, flourishing local businesses and a strategic location. For two decades, the City of Plymouth has worked in partnership with those who live and work here. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the city’s volunteer program. Our team of more than 2,000 dedicated volunteers spends countless hours keeping parks clean, planting trees, coaching sports, serving as police

reserves, working at community events and contributing in many other ways. Our residents are proud to serve the community and add quality to Plymouth. Prudent planning – with an emphasis on good financial management – has earned the city of Plymouth the highest bond ratings from both Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Services, making Plymouth one of only a small number of Minnesota cities to earn the top rating from both firms. Plymouth’s quality of life has been recognized nationally, but more importantly, residents give high marks to the community. In a recent survey, residents rated the quality of life in the community among the highest in the metropolitan area. Quality of life was rated as excellent or good by 97

percent of the respondents, with 75 percent saying it was excellent and 22 percent giving it a good rating. I encourage you to stay informed, involved and en-

gaged because it’s through our collective efforts that we’ll keep Plymouth a great place to live, learn and work! Kelli Slavik Mayor

10917 Valley View Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 current.mnsun.com Editor ...........................................................................Paul Wahl Writers..... Brian Rosemeyer, Jared Huizenga, Gina Purcell Photography ....................Brian Rosemeyer, Jonathan Young, Matthew Hankey, Jared Huizenga Layout & Design ...... Joseph Palmersheim, Keith Anderson Cover Design ........................................................... Elli Martin Advertising Sales .................................................. Linda Banks Advertising Director ................................... Jeremy Bradﬁeld Executive Editor ..................................................Peggy Bakken Director of News............................................. Keith Anderson Special thanks to Three Rivers Park District for photo use, and to the city of Plymouth for use of the map.

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

government

By the people and for the people With more than 71,000 residents depending on municipal services, a multi-layered and well-functioning government is crucial. Plymouth has a governmental infrastructure that operates at a high level of efficiency to keep the budget, citizen needs and day-to-day living in good standing. The city is governed by a seven-member city council, which is made up of a mayor, two at-large council members and representatives from the northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest portions of the city. The council is responsible for looking at the short- and long-term policy and direction of the city, including land use issues and city ordinances. The council also appoints a city manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the city. Generally the council meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays at Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Blvd. That schedule sometimes varies and additional work sessions or special meetings are occasionally added. Unless otherwise noted, meetings are open to the public, and public comment is permitted. Residents can also view council sessions online. However, it’s not just the city council that helps shape life in Plymouth. Several citizen boards and committees advise the council. When vacancies on those boards and committees arise, the city council interviews and appoints residents to the boards and committees.

• Environmental Quality Committee – The EQC meets 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month and makes recommendations to the council on environmental issues within the city. • Housing and Redevelopment Authority – The HRA meets 7 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month and works with the city’s housing and community development programs to administer grants for housing programs. It also manages a senior citizens apartment building. • Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission – The PRAC meets 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. It oversees plans and proposals for the city’s parks and its recreation programs. • Planning Commission – The Planning Commission meets 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. The commission reviews land use and development applications to make sure they meet the city’s planning and zoning ordinances and makes recommendations to the council on how to proceed with those applications. • Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit – The PACT meets quarterly 7 p.m. on selected Wednesdays. It advises the council on the city operated Metrolink bus system, which takes riders to and from downtown Minneapolis, and a shared curb-to-curb service. • Plymouth City Council The Plymouth City Council members are elected to four-year terms. Council elections are held in even-numbered years. 7

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Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

history

A look at the origins of a busy city Plymouth is a city with strong roots and rich history. As the city continues to grow and develop, it becomes even more important to recall the past. Plymouth’s history can be traced back to the pre-Colombian period, 1400-1500 A.D. The original inhabitants were the Dakota Native American tribes, and their encampment was at the north end of Medicine Lake. The name “Medicine Lake” is derived from the Native American word, “Mdewakan,” meaning “Lake of the Spirit.” The Dakota named the lake after a warrior overturned his canoe and his body was never recovered. Antoine LeCounte, a guide and explorer, was the first white settler in the area. He arrived in 1848 but did not settle until 1852. He carried mail from the Red River County near the Candian border to points south, trading goods to Native Americans for horses on the way. LeCounte built the first cabin at what is now East Medicine Lake Boulevard at 29th Avenue North. Plymouth’s beginning as a town occurred in 1855 on the northwest shores of what is now known as Parkers Lake. A gristmill and other structures were built in the area. In the spring of 1857, when Parkers Lake flooded, the mill was taken down and moved to Freeport, Minn. Freeport is now called Wayzata.

As new settlers arrived in the area, they decided to organize. The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners named the new settlement Plymouth. On April 19, 1858, a group of townspeople met at the home of Francis Day to open elections for town offices. On May 11, 1858, the group voted to change the town’s name to Medicine Lake. This was used once at a town meeting, but for reasons that were not recorded, it was never used again. In 1862, during the conflict between white settlers and the Dakota at Fort Ridgeley, near New Ulm, the settlers of Plymouth formed a militia. When the Civil War started, Plymouth paid its volunteers $25 to enlist. At about this time, Plymouth began to take on a new look. Schools and churches were built and a post office was located in Plymouth. By 1863, hotels were being built and by 1880, Plymouth boasted a population of 1,074 and reaped $667 in annual taxes.

Local Government Timeline •1955 – Plymouth was incorporated as a village •1968 – The city adopted the council-manager form of government •1974 – Plymouth became a statutory city •1993 – The Plymouth City Charter went into effect 9

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

Police Department

Police: Guided by a clear mission Policing a city as large as Plymouth takes a dedicated staff willing to devote the energy and talent required to serve and protect nearly 72,000 residents. The Plymouth Police Department accomplishes the task with a force strength the equivalent of nearly 84 full-time employees, which is divided among sworn officers and civilian support staff that keep the department running smoothly. The department consists of three areas: professional standards, which includes hiring and promotions, policies and procedures, internal affairs and training and administrative services; patrol operations, which also includes community service officers; and support services, which includes investigations, schools and crime prevention and community standards. The most recognizable of those is the patrol division, which includes 45 officers – 30 patrol officers, eight patrol sergeants, three canine officers and two traffic officers. The patrol division accounts for more than half of the roughly 68 sworn officers within the department. Statistics for the first half of 2013 indicate that the number of serious crimes within the city has been decreasing. Through the first half of 2012 the department had responded to 595 Part I Crimes. In 2013, 528 responses were reported, which represents an 11 percent decrease. Part I Crimes are considered to be more serious crimes including arson, robbery and theft. The department also engages the community through outreach and educational programs including a 36-hour, 1210

week citizens academy, Night to Unite, a bike helmet program and a DARE program for multiple schools throughout the city.

Mission Statement “The Mission of the Plymouth Police Department is to provide superior protection and service by reducing crime and enhancing the quality of life expected by our community. We will accomplish this through innovative strategies and collaboration, along with a commitment to our core values: integrity, accountability, professionalism, respect and excellence.”

Vision Statement “To offer the community extraordinary protection and superior service through proactive strategies and advanced technology. We will treat one another and all whom we serve with care and respect. We will maintain the public trust through fair, civil and just actions based on irrefutable principles. And, we will hold the responsibility given to us as law enforcement personnel in the highest regard.”

Plymouth Police Chiefs • Claude Lien – 1959 to 1969 • Calvin Hawkinson – 1969 to 1979 • Richard Carlquist – 1979 to 1991 • Craig Gerdes – 1992 to 2004 • Michael Goldstein – 2004 to present

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

fire Department

Fire Department keeps city safe In addition to having a strong police force, Plymouth also takes pride in the other aspect of public safety with an impressive fire department. Plymouth’s first fire station and fire truck came to the city in 1960. At that time, 15 volunteer firefighters and several officers were part of the department. As the city has increased in both size and population, the fire department has followed suit. The department currently has 69 paid-on-call firefighters and three stations dotted across the city. At the end of 2012, there were 76 paid-on-call firefighters. However, the department hired nine probationary firefighters between May and November of last year – bringing an authorized strength of 78 paid-on-call firefighters. On average, the department responds to 1,400 calls annually. In recent years the department has added a duty station, which is staffed by a four-person duty crew, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The hours of the duty station are meant to coincide with the busiest times for calls and has helped shorten the response time. Last year during staffed hours, the average response time was 6 minutes and 38 seconds during duty-crew hours and 12 minutes and 12 seconds during nonduty crew hours. In addition to calls, Plymouth firefighters spend thousands of man-hours training and promoting education throughout the community. In 2012, paid on call fire-

fighters logged a total of 36,636 hours. Collectively the department increased its total training hours to 8,230 in 2012. The department maintains a presence at community events, such as Night to Unite, where firefighters promote education and fire prevention to children and families through an open house at Plymouth Creek Center and at neighborhood parties throughout the community. Similarly, each October the department marks Fire Prevention Month by hosting an open house, which allows residents to connect with firefighters, police officers and paramedics. The open house includes hands-on activities, displays and demonstrations, including how to use fire extinguishers, fire hoses and the technological advances in firefighting equipment. Mission Statement The mission of the Plymouth Fire Department – making a difference through emergency response, customer service, and community education – is accomplished through our professionally delivered response, customer service and community outreach programs. Administrative Offices Public Safety Building 3400 Plymouth Blvd. 763-509-5120 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday 11

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home â&#x20AC;˘ A place to Enjoy Life

Map

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Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

city manager

Plymouth selects new city manager In late April of 2013 Laurie Ahrens announced her resignation as City Manager, a position she held for ten years. Following a month-long search for a replacement, City Council picked then Administrative Services Director Dave Callister as the top candidate vying for the job. The primary objective of a city manager, as outlined by the city, is as follows: To direct, control and continually evaluate all administrative, fiscal and public service affairs of the city according to established ordinances, policies and procedures of the Council and/or Minnesota law. [And] to advise the Council in defining sound public policy and staffing for key personnel assigned to ensure the effective and timely delivery of City services. Callister came to Plymouth from the private sector, but has served 26 years in local government including leadership roles in Osseo, Tonka Bay and Gaylord. He left city employment to assume Financial Advisor and Vice President of Ehlers and Associates in Roseville. He said the City of Plymouth was one of about three cities across the country for which he would have returned to city government. His first day as city manager in Plymouth was July 15. He has a Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato and a Bachelor of Arts in Metro-Urban Studies from Augsburg College. Callister resides in Chanhassen with his wife Pam. His daughter Katie and sons Ryan and Mitch are all in college. 15

He will serve as the fifth person to hold the CEO-like position with the city, overseeing the following departments: Parks and Recreation, Planning, Engineering, Finance, Communications, City Clerk, Housing, Recycling, Assessing, Information Technology, Building Inspections, Volunteer Services, Transit and Human Resources. Plymouth adopted the council-manager form of city government in 1968 and hired Angus Crawford to serve as the first city manager. Crawford held the position for less than a year leading up to an untimely death. In 1971, Jim Willis was selected as Crawford’s replacement. To this day, Willis remains present in Plymouth’s city government as an at-large councilmember. Dwight Johnson was next to sit at the manager desk and hired then-City Clerk Laurie Ahrens to serve as his assistant city manager. Ahrens took leadership in 2003 and remained until 2013 when she announced her plans to retire. On July 15, Callister signed a contract with Plymouth. “This is where I want to be, this is where I want to develop myself and other employees,” Callister said. “I wouldn’t be in this organization if I didn’t really want to be city manager. I feel very passionate about working with everybody and leading this organization in the future. I don’t know any better city to work for.” Callister has stated that he would like to follow a similar path as his predecessor Ahrens – serving as city manager for roughly ten years and retiring directly from the position with a city in good standing.

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

Wayzata Schools

Wayzata Schools: 10,000 students Each fall more than 10,000 students enroll in classes at Wayzata Public Schools. Those students, who hail from Corcoran, Maple Grove, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka, Orono, Plymouth and Wayzata, are spread out across 11 schools in the district – seven elementary schools, three middle schools and one high school. The district is led by its seven-member school board and Supt. Chace Anderson. School board members are elected to four-year terms on an at-large basis, which helps provide equal representation from throughout the district. The district also offers a wide range of community education classes, which range from cooking to GED preparation to social networking. In recent years the district has seen a population shift, with northern cities in the district undergoing growth. To deal with that shift, and to help manage class sizes, the Wayzata School Board began working in late 2012 to come up with a multilayered plan to ensure the district’s ongoing success. Starting at the elementary level, the district changed some of its boundaries to shift students from overcrowded – or those that were projected to be overcrowded – to those with extra space. The same was done, although to a lesser extent, at the middle school level. Anticipating the need to house an additional several hundred students in the coming years, in March 2013 the district moved forward with purchasing 37 acres of land adjacent to Wayzata High School, with an eye on adding more

classroom space. While nothing has been approved, district officials have said an expansion plan could go before the school board in late 2013. Wayzata High School, opened in 1997, is the largest in Minnesota, enrolling more than 3,500 students. Students at all grade levels consistently score near the top in state assessment tests. High school students routinely score as much as three points higher than the national average on ACT tests. In addition to being an educational powerhouse, the district also is a significant employer in the area with about 1,300 workers, more than half of them teachers. Throughout its history, the district has enjoyed strong community support. Voters have approved several key levies, including an operating levy in 2005 that allowed the district to add more than 55 new teaching positions and lower class sizes. A technology levy boosted the number of computers and their use throughout the district. The district’s schools have spawned talented politicians, athletes and actors. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar is a 1978 graduate of Wayzata High School. James Laurinaitis, stand-out linebacker for The Ohio State Buckeyes who was drafted by the St. Louis Rams of the NFL, is a 2005 graduate. Benjamin Salisbury, who played Brighton Sheffield on the hit series “The Nanny,” is also an alumnus. Wayzata Public Schools District Office 210 County Road 101 Plymouth, MN 55447 763-745-5000 16

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

Robbinsdale schools

Robbinsdale Area Schools ever-evolving Students in the central western portion of Plymouth are served by the diverse, dynamic and ever-evolving Robbinsdale School District. Robbinsdale Area Schools serves all or portions of Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope, Robbinsdale, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center and Plymouth, which includes approximately 100,000 residents and 47,000 households. The district has more than 11,000 K-12 students. They are housed in two high schools for grades 9-12, one alternative high school and an alternative high school program, two middle schools for grades 6-8 and 10 elementary buildings for grades K-5. There are five additional learning and service centers. The district, the ninth largest in Minnesota, has a $149 million annual general fund budget and employs approximately 1,900 workers. It has a seven-member school board, elected at large, which meets on the first and third Monday nights of each month. Regular meetings are cablecast live on Channel 16 and streamed online. The district offers a Spanish Immersion program at the elementary and middle school levels, International Baccalaureate at elementary, middle school and high school, and Advanced Placement offerings at both the middle and high school level. Each elementary school offers an all-day kindergarten option and gifted and talented programs. Programs for special education are available at all grade levels. The district has spent the last several years cultivating a strong science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) component in the district. More than half of the elementary schools in the district have over half of

their staff fully trained in STEM Region 11 Math and Science Teacher Academy and implemented what they have learned through that training in their classrooms. The district opened the School of Engineering and Arts (SEA), an elementary Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics magnet school, at Olson Elementary School in the fall of 2012. The school focuses on engineering and media arts, along with the typical elementary curriculum, including reading and writing, physical education, and music/art. Teachers will engage in rigorous training through the Science Museum of Minnesota. A strong focus on inquiry and critical thinking — integral components of the STEM philosophy — are translating into success for the district. Great achievement growth is being realized at both the elementary and middle level on standardized achievement assessments that measure academic growth. A full complement of 24 athletic extra-curricular girls and boys’ sports is offered in the two high schools, in addition to 37 non-athletic extracurricular activities including DECA, chess club, Speech and Debate, yearbook, economics competitions and Lego League. At the elementary and middle level, wonderful enrichment takes place, including Lego League, Destination ImagiNation, National History Day, Spelling Bee, and more. Education Service Center 4148 Winnetka Ave. N., New Hope 763-504-8000 rdale.org 17

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

Osseo Schools

Osseo Schools: A wealth of resources As the fifth-largest school district in the state, awardwinning ISD 279 Osseo Area Schools serves roughly 20,000 K-12 students with a number of innovative and well-established resources to engage students in a lifetime of learning. District 279, serves all or parts of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Corcoran, Dayton, Maple Grove, Osseo, Plymouth and Rogers. Students range from early childhood through age 21, and the district runs 17 elementary schools (prekindergarten through grade six), four junior highs (grades seven through nine), three senior highs (grades 10-12), an area learning center, two early childhood centers, two special program sites and an adult education and enrollment center. Community education classes serve lifelong learners from infants to senior citizens. ISD 279 is the only Minnesota school district honored as one of the nation’s “Best Communities for Music Education” every year since 2009. ISD 279 is the only district in the nation that has earned certification as an authorized training site for the International Society for Technology in Education Seal of Alignment for meeting rigorous standards for evaluating the skills and knowledge educators need to teach, work and learn in today’s digital world. The district has three National Blue Ribbon elementa18

ry schools: Cedar Island (1990); Park Brook (1997); and Rush Creek (2007). Osseo Area Schools’ careful stewardship of taxpayer funds has been recognized by the Minnesota Department of Education and the Association of School Business Officials International. SchoolMatch, a national school evaluation company, has given the district its “What Parents Want Award.” Award-winning magnet schools allow students to deepen their learning in special focus areas. Elementary magnet schools include Birch Grove Elementary School for the Arts, and Weaver Lake Elementary: A Science, Math and Technology School. Junior high magnet schools are Brooklyn Junior High (STEAM) and North View Junior High (International Baccalaureate). Senior high magnets are Park Center Senior High (International Baccalaureate) and Osseo Senior High (health sciences). Preschool is offered at multiple locations. All-day kindergarten options (some tuition-based) or before- and after-school childcare (kindergarten through sixth grade) are available at all elementary sites. Educational Service Center 11200 93rd Ave. N. Maple Grove, MN 55369 763-391-7000

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

hopkins schools

Hopkins Schools: Built to achieve Serving seven west metro communities, Hopkins Schools has an impressive educational reach that delivers a high level of innovation and performance in teaching its diverse student enrollment. It serves the entire city of Hopkins, the majority of Minnetonka, about half of Golden Valley and portions of Eden Prairie, Edina, Plymouth and St. Louis Park. Hopkins School District’s K-12 population includes more than 7,200 students. Its secondary facilities – Hopkins High School, Hopkins North Junior High and Hopkins West Junior High – are all located in Minnetonka. The district’s primary-level facilities include Alice Smith and Eisenhower elementary schools in Hopkins, Gatewood, Glen Lake and L.H. Tanglen elementary schools in Minnetonka and Meadowbrook elementary in Golden Valley. The district is also home to the Harley Hopkins Family Center in Hopkins, which offers early childhood programs. XinXing Academy, Hopkins’ Chinese immersion program, opened at Eisenhower Elementary in 2007. It currently offers Chinese immersion in grades 1-6 with more planned. The Hopkins School District has been honored with numerous national recognitions and its students and staff have received many awards as well. U.S. News & World Report named Hopkins High School a Silver Medalist School due to its high performance on state assessment tests and its college readiness scores. Hopkins High School was ranked the 14th best high school in Minnesota and received a nationwide ranking of 628 out of more than 22,000 public high schools.

Hopkins High School was also named one of America’s Most Challenging Schools by The Washington Post. Hopkins High School ranked 22 in the state and 183 in the Midwest region. Gatewood Elementary has been named a Reward School under the new Minnesota accountability system – Multiple Measurements Ratings – to meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind legislation. Being named a Reward School means Gatewood is among the top 15 percent of Title I schools in the ratings. The Hopkins High School student newspaper, “The Royal Page,” has been recognized as among Minnesota’s top student newspapers and has again earned an All-State Gold ranking from the Journalism Educators of Minnesota. Hopkins High School is home to the Lindbergh Center, a community facility that features five basketball courts, an indoor running track, walking path and fitness and weight training facilities that are open to the public. In 2004, the high school added a 900-seat performing arts center, which houses student and professional theater productions and concerts. It also added a state-of-the-art dining room and food services facility that year. Hopkins Public Schools 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins 952-988-4000 hopkinsschools.org 19

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Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

IOCP & Prism

Service organizations beneﬁt city IOCP

PRISM

Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners began work in 1979 as a multi-aspect community service organization. In recent years, IOCP had struggled with a limited amount work space. However, since the service organization’s relocation to Plymouth, space is no longer an issue. It seems the only limitations it now faces are the imaginations of its staff members and volunteers. In 2010 the organization announced plans to relocate to the old Erickson supermarket location, 1605 County Road 101 N. The plan was unanimously approved by the Plymouth City Council. IOCP’s donors also showed their support for the plan by helping reach the $5.5 million capital campaign needed to make the move a reality. In 2012, IOCP celebrated its one-year anniversary in its new 40,000 square-foot home, which not only has space for its case managers and food shelf, but additional meeting rooms, a resale shop – Resale 101 – and a large community meeting space. In addition, Hennepin County, Wayzata Community Education, Peppermint Fence West and Minnesota Fathers and Family Network have leased space in the building. Each year IOCP assists approximately 1,500 families and individuals in Plymouth, Wayzata, Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka Beach and Orono with housing, employment, child care, transportation and community connections.

IOCP is not the only helping hand for families in need in the Plymouth area. PRISM (People Responding In Social Ministry) is a community funded social service agency that provides families in need with food, financial assistance, transportation and other services in times of financial hardships. The 40-year-old agency serves more than 4,500 families annually through a food shelf, clothing closet, financial assistance, financial literacy classes, dial-a-ride transportation, school supplies, auto repair for low-income families, vehicle purchase or repair loans and donated vehicles for working families. Its members include churches in Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope, and the following churches in Plymouth: Beautiful Savior Lutheran, Mt. Olivet Lutheran, Pilgrim United Methodist and St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church. Clients are referred to PRISM through Hennepin County workers, United Way’s 211, crisis help lines, churches, employers, other agencies, landlords and individuals who have received help through its programs. IOCP 1605 County Road, Plymouth 763-489-7500 PRISM 730 Florida Ave. S., Golden Valley 763-529-1350 21

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

events

Community events: Art, music, fun Every year, Plymouth plays host to a number of community events attended by thousands. With the help of the Plymouth Arts Council, Plymouth’s volunteer program, the Parks and Recreation Department and the Plymouth Civic League, city events are often the premier place to go for a good time:

Plymouth on Parade Early each fall the community gathers to celebrate the city and to send summer out with a bang. As the name indicates, an old-fashioned parade makes its way through City Center. The parade is then followed by activities at the Plymouth Ice Center, Life Time Fitness and Hilde Performance Center.

Music in Plymouth Music in Plymouth, a free evening of music, fireworks and community engagement, recently marked its 41st year in Plymouth. For the past 40 years – in June or July depending on the year – the Plymouth Civic League and the City of Plymouth have teamed up to present Music in Plymouth. Attendees are encouraged to make an evening of the event – picnics are encouraged and food is sold onsite around the Hilde Performance Center. For the past four decades, the Minnesota Orchestra has performed. However, in 2013 – due to contract disputes – the orchestra was unable to attend. In its place was the 80-piece Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. 22

Fire and Ice For the last 23 years, Parkers Lake Park has been transformed into a winter wonderland – both on land and the frozen lake. Events at the annual winter celebration include hayrides, horse rides and sled dog rides, recycle bin races, miniature golf on the ice, snow bowling, youth ice fishing contest, recreational skating, a goofy hat contest, food vendors and fireworks.

Primavera Each spring the Plymouth Arts Council sponsors Primavera, a juried art show, which also includes musical, literary and dramatic entertainment. The PAC also works closely with the Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department to further promote the arts throughout the community by facilitating juried art shows every month at city hall and Plymouth Creek Center.

Entertainment in the Parks While spring, fall and winter have their share of events in the community, summer is when things really get heated up for the city and its parks and recreation department. A beefed up summer schedule includes “Kids Koncerts,” concerts for adults, movies in the park, a summer carnival and many other events. During summer, it’s virtually impossible to not find something to do.

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

parks & Trails

Stepping out: Plentiful parks, trails Plymouth works hard to maintain extensive outdoor entertainment options within an ever-growing suburban setting. With a strong Parks and Recreation Department that offers frequent child and adult programming, residents of Plymouth have no excuse to stay indoors. Currently the city has 53 developed parks, which cover more than 1,200 acres throughout the city. That total includes five city parks, 35 neighborhood and school parks, nine city playfields and eight special use facilities. Parks and Recreation also maintains a 136-mile network of city, state and regional trails that connect most neighborhoods to parks, schools and commercial areas. Through hard work, a park dedication program and sensitivity to the balance of nature and development, the city strives to offer residents more than enough to meet their outdoor needs. Park Hours • City parks – 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. • Playfields – 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. • Neighborhood parks – 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Alcohol and Tobacco Restrictions Alcohol and tobacco are not allowed in any city park or facility. Pet Policies Pets are allowed in all of the city’s park. They must, however, be on a leash and the owner is responsible for picking up after their animals. The one exception is the Plymouth Dog Park, which provides an off-leash area for dogs and their owners.

Information The city offers maps of its parks and trail system, as well as information about the amenities of all of its parks on the Parks and Recreation Department section of the city website or by calling 763-509-5200 or e-mailing recreation@plymouthmn.gov.

Special use facilities Plymouth Dog Park County Road 47 (west of Dunkirk Lane) Hilde Performance Center 3450 Plymouth Blvd. Ice Center 3650 Plymouth Blvd. Millennium Garden 14800 34th Ave. Nature Canyon Fernbrook Lane and 44th Place Plymouth Creek Center 14800 34th Ave. Skate Park 14900 23rd Ave. 23

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

WestHealth

WestHealth continues to expand Ben Bache-Wiig, MD, president of Abbott Northwestern, calls WestHealth, “the outpatient health care campus of the future.” Abbott Northwestern – WestHealth in Plymouth is home to a growing number of Allina Health specialty services and programs, including cardiovascular services, pharmacy, primary care, orthopedic services and physical therapy. In working towards becoming a one-stop-shop for the community’s health needs, WestHealth opened a new Emergency Department in January 2013. The $8 million, 18,000 square-foot facility includes 14 exam rooms, two mental health rooms and a trauma room. Construction of the Emergency Department began in the spring of 2012 and was developed in conjunction with the current standing Urgent Care at WestHealth. With the addition of the emergency department, West Health is being positioned to meet the full continuum of patient and community needs. It is all part of the Allina Health strategy to provide care closer to home and at lower cost. However, WestHealth won’t stop with the Emergency Department. Earlier this year, Allina announced it is collaborating with Presbyterian Homes and Services of St. Paul, and Benedictine Health System, of Duluth, to “create a new generation of transitional care that will provide post-acute care patients with a clinically advanced environment in which to transition from hospital to home.” The roughly $17 million facility will include 56 private

suites and underground parking to serve patients who may require continuing care post-surgery or in light of certain medical circumstances. The center will focus on hospitality, wellness and service delivered in a “resort, spa-like environment.” Construction of the transitional care facility is set to begin in fall of 2013. Also this fall, the team approach to breast health that is provided at Abbott Northwestern Hospital’s Piper Breast Center will be available at WestHealth. In addition to comprehensive breast imaging services, patients will have consultative visits with surgeons and other physician specialists, genetic counseling and followup care at the Piper Breast Center at WestHealth. When needed, breast surgery may also be done through the West Health same-day surgery center. “When we look at WestHealth, we really see the opportunity for it to become a sort of hospital without beds,” Bache-Wiig added. “Our goal is to provide all of the specialized and high-intensity services that we possibly can in the out-patient setting.” More information about WestHealth is located at west health.com. A not-for-profit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 11 hospitals, 15 pharmacies, specialty care centers and specialty medical services that provide home care, senior transitions, hospice care, home oxygen and medical equipment, and emergency medical transportation services. Learn more at allinahealth.org. 24

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

St. Jude

St. Jude makes Plymouth its home Global medical device company St. Jude Medical opened a 275,000 square-foot expansion of its Cardiovascular and Ablation Technologies Division in June, making Plymouth the company’s consolidated headquarters of heart device technology research, development and manufacturing. St. Jude acquired the 26-acre parcel of land at 5050 Nathan Lane North in 2010, which was formerly the headquarters of AGA Medical – a company St. Jude also acquired. The original building was 205,000 square-feet and, with the expansion, the total site blossomed to a substantial 480,000 square-feet. At least 400 employees have moved to the Plymouth location from previously leased spaces in Minnetonka and Maple Grove. As the building is filled to capacity, St. Jude estimates as many as 1,500 employees will report to the Plymouth campus. “We’re excited about the energy and synergy that will be brought to the division with Plymouth as a hub for our business,” said President of St. Jude Medical Cardiovascular Division Frank J. Callaghan. The expansion made the Plymouth campus the second largest St. Jude Medical manufacturing facility in the world. Products manufactured at the new facility include the Portico Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation System

– an aortic valve and trans-femoral delivery system that eliminates the need for open-heart surgery in some cases. Also produced at the expansion will be Amplatzer products, EnligHTN Ablation Catheters and G3i FlexAbility Catheters for EnSite. According to St. Jude, enough concrete was used to construct the expansion that if a four-foot wide sidewalk were poured with it, the sidewalk would span 36 linear miles. The new facility also boasts a number of innovative, environmentally friendly features. For example, the running water itself powers the energy required to operate the faucets in the restrooms as it passes through turbines. The campus’ landscaping was also dramatically updated with the addition of nearly 170 trees and bushes. More information about St. Jude can be found at sjm. com. St. Jude’s mission statement reads: “It is our mission to develop medical technology and services that put more control into the hands of those who treat cardiac, neurological and chronic pain patients, worldwide. We do this because we are dedicated to advancing the practice of medicine by reducing risk wherever possible and contributing to successful outcomes for every patient.” St. Jude employs more than 16,000 people worldwide with facilities in Brazil, Belgium, Hong Kong and Tokyo. 25

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Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

library

Library a staple in the community To match the active community, Plymouth features an engaged library that serves families and enthusiastic media consumers with a wealth of resources and programming. The Plymouth Library, 15700 36th Ave. N., is a welcoming new facility that opened in 2010 and serves the diverse Plymouth area with a large collection of books, DVDs and CDs; Chinese and Russian language materials; 77 public computers with Internet access; and attractive lounge, study, and gathering spaces throughout the library. The children’s area is located amidst a colorful, abstract “enchanted forest.” Families read together, use computers and explore an interactive early literacy zone. The teen area features a sunny lounge with retro carpet and furniture – plus spacious computer desks for collaboration on school projects. Adults enjoy “living room space” with comfortable seating, a large print lounge with display case, and a community information alcove with photocopier, study tables and free community newspapers. Five study rooms are available on a first-come, firstserved basis. A sixth study room may be reserved for a two-hour block of time by phone or in-person if the room is needed either that day, or the following day. Three rooms that seat 2-60 may be reserved online, hclib.org/pub/info/ meetingrooms Four self-checkout stations, a drive-up book return available 24/7 and a large parking lot are conveniences appreciated by all.

A dedicated group of individuals known as the Friends of the Plymouth Library enhance the community experience through a number of different programs including meet the author events, family storytimes and involvement in World Book Night – where Friends distributed free novels to residents of Plymouth. Public art bolsters Plymouth patrons’ experience. “Paige Turner” and “Charlie Reads,” sculptures purchased by the Friends of the Plymouth Library for the former library, now welcome visitors to the new building. This inviting and functional library also has environmentally friendly features that reduce operational costs. They include a green roof, geothermal heating and cooling, daylight harvesting, energy efficient glass, light-sensitive light fixtures, durable and recycled fabrics and building materials, a bio-filtration area and a storm water pond. For more information, including library hours: 612543-5825 or hclib.org Hennepin County Library Hennepin County Library – Plymouth is part of the Hennepin County Library system, which consists of 41 libraries located in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County, and is recognized as one of the top library systems in the United States. Hennepin County Library offers about 5 million books, CDs, DVDs, downloadable content and other resources in more than 40 languages, plus access to almost 1,700 computers. Library cards are free and are available at your local library or online at hclib.org/pub/info/libcardapp1.cfm 27

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home • A place to Enjoy Life

Outdoor Rec

Outdoor activities for all seasons Along the north shore of Medicine Lake sits a haven for outdoor enthusiasts that offers a wide range of activities throughout all seasons. Plymouth’s Clifton E. French Regional Park, 12605 Rockford Road, is home to a popular swimming beach, fishing pier, lighted trails and an expansive play area. In the summer, boats line up to launch at Medicine Lake. In winter, the park is a popular destination for sledding, crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing. French Regional Park is part of Three Rivers Park District, a park system that operates in the metro area, based in Plymouth. Established as an independent, special park district by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1957, Three Rivers maintains 27,000 acres of park reserves, regional parks and regional trails in the seven-county metro area. The name Three Rivers comes for the parks’ location within the watershed flowing into the Mississippi, Minnesota and Crow rivers. Eagle Lake Park, 11000 Bass Lake Road, encompasses 230 acres on the border of Plymouth and Maple Grove, and includes the Eagle Lake Youth Golf Center. Situated on the site of two old farmsteads, the youth-oriented golf course features the Eagle Course, a 9-hole par-31 course, and the Birdie Course, a 9-hole lighted par-27 pitch-andputt course. There’s also a 40-station lighted, natural-turf practice range and an area for golf instruction and practice. 28

The park’s visitor center doubles as the course clubhouse. Lockers and concessions are available in the clubhouse, and carts and clubs are available to rent. The course is also home to The First Tee of Three Rivers Park District, a program dedicated to providing affordable and accessible golf opportunities for youth. Tee times may be booked online through the park district’s website, and Eagle Lake is also home to a mini-golf course, where rounds are $6 for adults and $5 for youth. Both parks connect to regional bike trails maintained by Three Rivers Parks, provide picnic areas, dog trails and canoe and kayak accessibility and are open to geocaching, a high-tech game of hide and seek using Global Positioning System receivers. French Regional Park’s visitor center has GPS receivers available to check out with picture identification, which are available only for use within the park. Other parks throughout the district host classes and provide group opportunities to learn about the popular outdoor recreation. Outdoors recreation classes and activities are offered throughout the year at both parks. The park district’s administrative offices, 3000 Xenium Lane N., provide information about programs and activities throughout the district. Information about the district is available online at threeriversparks.org, or at 763-559-9000.

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home â&#x20AC;˘ A place to Enjoy Life

Faith

Finding place of faith in Plymouth Plymouth has many churches providing places of worship for people of various faith traditions:

Christ Memorial Lutheran Church 13501 Sunset Trail 763-544-3632 cmlc-tlc.org

Apostolic Lutheran Church 11015 Old County Road 15 763-544-7248 plymouthapostolic.org

Church of the Epiphany Episcopal Church 4900 Nathan Lane N. 763-559-3144 epiphany-episcopal.org

Ascension Lutheran Church 15870 46th Ave. N. 763-559-0579

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) 330 Vicksburg Lane N. 763-475-2304

Association of Free Lutherans 3110 E. Medicine Lake Blvd. 763-545-5631

Fourth Baptist Church 900 Forestview Lane N. 763-417-8200 fourthbaptist.org

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church 5005 Northwest Blvd. 763-550-1000 beautifulsaviorlc.org

(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)

Plymouth

A Place to Call Home â&#x20AC;˘ A place to Enjoy Life

Faith (Continued)

Glory of Christ Lutheran Church 4040 Highway 101 N. 763-478-6031 gloryofchrist.org Minneapolis Laestadian Lutheran Church 13030 47th Ave. N. 763-553-1601 mllchurch.org Messiah United Methodist Church 17805 County Road 6 763-473-6968 messiahchurchmn.org Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church 12235 Old Rockford Road 763-559-2775 mtolivet-plymouth.org Northwest Islamic Community Center 3300 Plymouth Blvd. 612-756-9422 nwicc-mn.org Parkers Lake Baptist Church 14720 County Road 6 763-473-3552 plbc.org Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth 3695 County Road 101 N. 763-478-9406 peaceofplymouth.org

Slavic Church Tolgota 12300 18th Ave. N. 763-559-7770

Pilgrim United Methodist Church 4325 Zachary Lane N. 763-559-5451 pilgrimumc.org

St. Barnabas Lutheran Church 15600 Old Rockford Road 763-553-1239 stbarnabaslutheran.org

Plymouth Bible Chapel 10605 36th Avenue N. 763-544-0287 p-bc.org

St. Mary of the Lake 105 Forestview Lane N. 763-545-1443 stmaryofthelakeply.org

Plymouth Covenant Church 4300 Vicksburg Lane N. 763-559-4300 plymouthcovenant.org

St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church 17205 County Road 6 763-475-7100 spdlc.org

Plymouth Creek Christian Church 16000 41st Ave. N. 763-559-1469 plymouthcreek.org

Vision of Glory Lutheran 13200 Highway 55 763-559-4222 vogchurch.com

Plymouth Presbyterian Church 3755 Dunkirk Lane N. 763-559-2946 plymouthpc.org

Wayzata Evangelical Free Church 705 County Road 101 N. 763-473-9463 wayzatafree.org 30

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the intersection of ER and Urgent Care

24-hour ER and Urgent Care. Chest pain. A broken bone. An asthma attack. We’ll be ready and waiting at our 24/7 ER, staffed by Abbott Northwestern doctors. We also have 24/7 Urgent Care for less serious concerns. Both are at our WestHealth location off 494 and Highway 55. Learn more at allinahealth.org/westhealth