Fred Richards Park: design, access, and walkability

On the agenda for the May 5, 2026 City Council meeting is the item: “Fred Richards Park Guaranteed Maximum Price Construction Approval.”

Included in the slide deck is the latest design for Fred Richards Park. There is a lot to like in the plan. That said, I would also like to see two additions (marked in yellow): extending the northerly path to the west end of the park and adding a neighborhood access path.

I like these additions for two reasons.

First, they give local residents better recreational access to the new park. Residents on Poppy Lane and West Shore Drive could easily do a loop through the park or walk east through the park and return west via neighborhood streets.

Second, the neighborhood is currently isolated from the nearby shops at Gateway Edina and Pentagon Village. Right now, it is a 2.5-mile drive from Poppy Lane to Red’s Savoy Pizza. With the extended trail and new access path, it becomes a relaxed 5-minute walk — with just a few extra steps to reach Jersey Mike’s, Atomic Wings, Dentistry on 77th, First Bank & Trust, or the coworking space at The Reserve.

If the City of Edina wants to reduce vehicle miles traveled, creating safe, direct access for walkers and bikers to nearby shops is a smart step.

The extended trail and access path do not have to be built now, but Fred Richards Park should be designed to accommodate these connections in the future.

Clarification

I am not suggesting the City of Edina use eminent domain to acquire an access path. I would want the City to engage directly with residents of the neighborhood about this concept and pursue a voluntary easement. This could be structured to activate only upon future sale or redevelopment of the property. That approach makes it a low-impact, cooperative solution because it creates no immediate disruption for current residents while still allowing the park connection to be completed later when the opportunity arises. My focus at this time is simply on designing the park to make this feasible in the future.