Life in the Prairie Fall 2023

LIFE in the PRAIRIE

FALL 2023

Inside Community Photo Contest

Parks and Recreation Director Retiring

Top Workplace for 10 YEARS

For the 10th year in a row, the City of Eden Prairie has been named among the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the “Star Tribune.”

Top workplace rankings are based on survey information collected from more than 79,000 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonproft organizations.

City Manager Rick Getschow said the City’s core values of collaboration, innovation, integrity, performance and relationships are key to its high-performing and engaged work culture. “Our values guide everything we do, and our employees embrace these values when serving our residents, businesses, visitors and coworkers.”

StarTribune.com/MN-Top-Workplaces

Enter Community Photo Contest

Calling all amateur photographers! Enter your best shot in the City’s frst-ever community photo contest for a chance to be featured in “Life in the Prairie” and other City publications!

Photos must be taken in Eden Prairie and submitted Monday, Sept. 11–Wednesday, Sept. 27. Contest is limited to Eden Prairie residents.

Finalists will be uploaded to the City’s Facebook page where voting will take place. Find contest guidelines and submission instructions on the City’s website.

edenprairie.org/PhotoContest

OUR

OF SAYING THANKS

Fire Prevention Week

Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer Retiring

In 2007, Jay Lotthammer took the helm of Eden Prairie’s Parks and Recreation Department and made a commitment to enhance the City’s parks and recreation programs — a promise he has upheld for nearly two decades. Now, after 35 years of public service, he is retiring. Much has been accomplished under Lotthammer’s leadership, from the expansion of the Community Center and its aquatics facility, to opening a new Art Center and overseeing the addition of countless park amenities, including several pickleball courts, three splash pads and the growth of the City’s renowned trail system. Thanks in part to his guidance, Eden Prairie’s parks and recreational amenities are considered some of the best in the country.

“I am extremely grateful to the residents of Eden Prairie, the support of our public offcials and the incredible staff I’ve had the pleasure to serve alongside,” Jay refects. “We’ve accomplished great things together, and it’s been an honor to be part of it.”

Thanks for your service, Jay. Your leadership, collaboration and strategic vision have made a lasting impact. Your contributions will beneft the community for generations.

Lotthammer’s fnal day with the City is Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023.

We’ve accomplished great things together, and it’s been an honor to be part of it.

Jay Lotthammer

Registration for fall parks and recreation programs has already begun! Enjoy an adventure-packed season of fun by registering for programs, special events and lessons for all ages.

edenprairie.org/Recreation

Managing Yard Waste

After a rainfall, the runoff on your street washes through storm sewers and into local lakes and rivers, carrying yard waste and other pollutants. Proper disposal of yard waste helps protect the health of local waterways.

Options for managing yard waste include curbside pickup available through most trash haulers, composting in your backyard or taking it to a drop-off location. Eden Prairie’s Yard Waste Site, located at 9811 Flying Cloud Drive, is open through Sunday, Nov. 19.

edenprairie.org/YardWaste

Green Disposal Guide

Hennepin County’s online Green Disposal Guide offers reuse, recycling and disposal options for batteries, furniture, carpet and more.

hennepin.us/GreenDisposalGuide

Save Money, Conserve Energy During Colder Months

Follow these tips to save money and reduce your energy use this fall and winter.

• Open curtains on south-facing windows to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home.

• Cover drafty windows with clear plastic flm and install insulating drapes or shades.

• Adjust the thermostat to keep the temperature as low as is comfortable.

• Schedule routine service for your heating system.

• Keep your freplace damper closed unless a fre is burning.

• Set your water heater to warm instead of hot. energy.gov/EnergySaver

Storm Drains are for Rain

Allowing chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides or contaminated wash water to enter storm drains is illegal and harmful to the environment. Even occasional dumping of illegal substances can harm fsh, plants and other aquatic organisms.

Call the City’s Engineering Division or use the EP See Click Fix app to report illegal or suspicious dumping.

edenprairie.org/IllegalDumping

edenprairie.org/SustainableEP