Fred Richards Park Master Plan

Fred Richards Park is being created from the former Fred Richards Golf Course, which closed in 2014. The 43-acre site, almost double the size of Centennial Lakes Park, will become a multi-use park for a variety of activities year round. 

Fred Richards Park will subtly divide into sections, providing different experiences for people and nature. It also includes what was formerly known as Lake Edina Park.

Kids go down slide at Fred Richards Park playground

Playground and Picnic Shelter Are Open!

The new playground, the centerpiece of Phase 1 at the park, and a covered picnic area next to it are open at 4400 Parklawn Ave. Come by and check them out!

Phase I - CompleteBlue and green playground design for Fred Richards Park

This portion of the master plan made multiple improvements to the east end entrance area in the Parklawn neighborhood at 4400 Parklawn Ave. 

Features:

  • Playground
  • Picnic shelter
  • Walkways
  • Stormwater improvements
  • Landscaping

Overall project budget: $300,000 as approved in the Capital Improvement Plan
Design services: Confluence
Playground designer: Minnesota/Wisconsin Playground
Contractor: JL Theis, Inc.

Residents helped pick the safety surface, play structures, style and color of the playground by providing feedback through BetterTogetherEdina.org and in person at open houses and at schools. 

Please note there is no parking lot for this area of the park. Street parking is available.

Future Phases

Phase I is the only funded phase of the Fred Richards Master Plan. 

The City is pursuing a local option sales tax as a way to fund other phases of the Fred Richards Park Master Plan. The tax also would be used to fund the Braemar Park Master Plan, upgrade Braemar Arena, create Weber Woods Park and help pay for street reconstruction.

The tax, proposed at 50 cents per $100 taxable purchase in Edina, would raise an estimated $4 million a year for 20 years. It must be approved by the State Legislature, the Governor and then by Edina voters before being enacted.  

The tax, if approved, is expected to raise $17.7 million for Fred Richards Park improvements.

Park Plan Documents

  1. Fred Richards Park Master Plan Highlights (PDF)
  2. Fred Richards Park Final Presentation July 2017 (PDF)
  3. Fred Richards Park Concept Plan (PDF)
  4. Fred Richards Vision Plan (PDF)