Park Projects

The Parks and Natural Resources Division is responsible for all City of Eden Prairie natural resources and park construction projects.

To find information about City infrastructure construction projects, visit edenprairiemn.gov/InfrastructureProjects.

Forestry and Natural Resources Projects

If you are interested in volunteering to support the City's restoration projects, please fill out a Parks and Natural Resources Volunteer Interest Form.

Cardinal Creek Habitat Restoration

**Click image to enlarge map**

Buckthorn and other invasive species are being removed to restore Cardinal Creek. Once the invasive species are removed, the City will seed the area with native plants. This work will help stabilize the soil, filter water runoff and allow native plants to provide pollinator habitat. This work is being done in partnership with 9 Mile Creek Watershed District through their habitat restoration grant.

The City encourages property owners to remove buckthorn on their properties and replace it with native plants. Please reach out to the City's water resources coordinator or 9 Mile Creek Watershed District if you are looking for information on the benefits of buckthorn removal, how to remove buckthorn and cost-share programs available with the City.

**Before and After Buckthorn Removal**

Edenbrook Conservation Area Restoration

**Click image to enlarge map**

Buckthorn and other invasive species are being removed to restore Edenbrook Conservation Area. Once the invasive species are removed, the City will seed the area with native plants. This work will help stabilize the soil and allow native plants to provide pollinator habitat. This work is being done in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources through its Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program, and with Friends of Eden Prairie Parks volunteers.

The City encourages property owners to remove buckthorn from their properties and replace it with native plants. Visit edenprairiemn.gov/Buckthorn if you are looking for information on the benefits of buckthorn removal and how to remove this invasive plant species.

Miller Park Habitat Restoration

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Project Area

Forested areas along the shoreline, from the boat launch to Belfast Curve and wetland near Shoreline Drive and Miller Parkway

Project Goals

Buckthorn, garlic mustard and other invasive species are being removed to restore the maple-basswood and oak forest habitat. The City has been working to remove buckthorn from the park since 2022. The next stage of the project will include planting native plants with the Friends of Eden Prairie Parks. Park users can expect to see fencing around these planting areas for the next three years to protect from deer.

This work is being done in partnership with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources through its Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program and with volunteers from Friends of Eden Prairie Parks.

Project Phase: Enhancement and invasive species removal

Anticipated Construction: May 2025

Anticipated Completion: June 2026

Prairie Bluff Conservation Area Restoration

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Due to off-trail use, damage has occurred along the paved trail and dirt path referred to as the “Overlook Trail."

Project Area

Areas surrounding the Overlook Trail

Project Goals

The City is restoring these areas with seed collected from Prairie Bluff to repair damage and prevent future erosion from the exposed sandy soils. Additionally, the City has partnered with Hennepin County to restore ecologically degraded sections of the Prairie Bluff Conservation Area. City crews and County-hired contractors are working to remove invasive species, such as buckthorn. The projects will focus on preventing future erosion, increasing diversity, reestablishing areas damaged from overuse, protecting state-threatened plants and animals, and reducing invasive plants.

Impacts

The Overlook trail will remain closed until native plants have established, which is estimated to take 3–5 years. The sandy soils are highly erodible with increased foot-traffic causes plants to die back from soil compaction and disturbance.

The public is asked to respect trail closures as any additional damage will prolong the closure of this trail. Thank you for your help in protecting one of the last remaining prairies in the state!

Project Phase: Enhancement and invasive species removal

Anticipated Construction: September 2025

Richard T. Anderson Maintenance Trail Project

Project Area

The paved trail connecting the upper and lower parking lot of Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area

Project Goals

A stone retaining will be built along the north portion of the paved trail. The impeding slope failure would force the City to close the paved trail in the absence of new erosion control measures. In addition, an ecological restoration project will occur to enhance the plant communities along the newly constructed wall system.

Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.

Project Phase: Construction

Anticipated Construction: March 2026

Anticipated Completion: May 2026

Impacts: The park will be closed to the public during construction March–May 2026.

Project Manager

Karli Wittner, Forestry and Natural Resources Supervisor

Stable Path and Pioneer Trail Tree Removal

Project Area

Pioneer Trail adjacent to Stable Path

Project Goals

Remove ash trees before they become severely infested with Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). After the removal is complete, replacement plantings will occur in the fall 2026.

This project is funded through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Shade Tree Bonding Grant.

Project Phase: Contract

Anticipated Start: November 2025

Anticipated Completion: April 2026

Park and Trail Construction Projects

Carmel Park Hard Court Replacement

The tennis and basketball courts at Carmel Park will be reconstructed and the old tile surface will be replaced with a traditional bituminous surfacing.

Construction Start: June 2025

Anticipated Completion: Spring 2026

Impacts: The playground, open green space, trails and parking lot will remain open during construction. Visitors should expect parking lot and park entrance to be full with contractor equipment during construction.

Homeward Hills Playground Renovation

**Click image to enlarge and view park renderings**

The play area at Homeward Hills Park will be redesigned and include new play equipment, splash pad, shaded seating areas and other amenities.

More details will be available as the project plan is finalized.

Project Phase: Planning and Design

Anticipated Construction: Fall 2025

Anticipated Completion: Summer 2026

Staring Lake Trail Bridge Replacement

Valley View Road Trail Extension