LAKE MINNETONKA
COMMUNITY GUIDE 2023
New Ridgedale Commons Park
In an effort to “ revitalize and reimagine ” Minnetonka ’ s Ridgedale Mall space , as the city website puts it , Ridgedale Commons Park is being constructed in 2023 .
“ Planned improvements were informed by community input and engagement and aim to transform [ the ] space into inclusive , sustainable , multi-use park able to host a wide variety of activities and events ,” according to the city of Minnetonka website .
The two-acre park will feature a “ plaza and grassy lawn with the ability to host events and ice skating , a garden room with pollinator-focused plants , an interactive fountain , a wooded lounge area , and a park building ( with restrooms , warming house and rentable space )” according to this site .
It ’ s designed to also serve as a gathering space for markets and other community events . It ’ s being constructed in a former part of the Ridgedale Mall parking lot . The long-term goal of the city is to create a bike and pedestrian-friendly area around Ridgedale
Minnetonka Mayor Brad Wiersum explained his thoughts on why this project is so imperative to the city at Minnetonka ’ s
2023 State of the City . “ This statistic may surprise you , but Ridgedale has 1.2 million visitors to our city every month . It is an enormous economic engine ,” he said . “ There are a lot of malls in our region and our country that are going out of business . Where would our commercial hub be if Ridgedale went out of business ? The city has a stake and an interest in making the Ridgedale area stronger and more vital .”
According to the city website , the project also includes improvements to the nearby Crane Preserve Pork , which includes a picnic shelter , signage , benches , bike racks and trails with additonal connections to Ridgedale Center and other regional trails .
There ’ s also an effort by the city to remove invasive species and improve stormwater management .
The project began back in 2021 , with the Minnetonka City Council awarding contracts for the construction at the Aug . 23 meeting . The total project cost came in at nearly $ 8,5 million and construction began Nov . 4 , 2021 . The project was set to reach completion in the spring of 2023 .
Community Guide 2023 | LAKE MINNETONKA | 21