Fred Richards Park Master Plan

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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. 

Map showing outline of Fred Richards Park area north of West 77th and west of Parklawn Avenue

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.

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. 

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

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

The former golf clubhouse, 7640 Parklawn Ave., is in use for some art classes.

Next Park Phases

See the Fred Richards Plan highlights (PDF) for design concepts

Central Green 

Cost estimate $9.9 million,  includes:

  • Pickleball courts
  • Basketball courts
  • Lawn games area
  • Stage/pavilion area
  • Clubhouse renovation
  • Landscaping, turf and walkways
  • Parking and access via West 77th Street
  • Lighting, signs and infrastructure

The Nature Bank

Cost estimate $1.9 million, includes:

  • Native vegetation restoration and establishment
  • Trees and shrubs
  • Play nodes
  • Wildlife habitat structures
  • Boardwalk and trail
  • Seating, signs and infrastructure

Great Lawn and Loop

Cost estimate $5.9 million, includes:

  • Pedestrian bridge restoration and new trail
  • Great lawn area with high-quality drainage
  • Picnic pavilion
  • Traditional and bike playgrounds
  • Lighting, seating, signs and infrastructure

Funding Future Phases

Edina voters approved a half-percent sales tax referendum in November 2022 for an overall $39.3 million investment in local parks.

Of that, $17.7 million is designated for Fred Richards Park to fund the next phases of the master plan.

The half-cent sales tax went into effect April 1, 2023.

See detailed information on the sales tax referendum.

Next Steps

The Fred Richards Park Master Plan, which included extensive public input, created the concept designs for these projects. Funding has been based on those designs.

The process to take those concept designs and finalize them, do any required additional studies and engineering, and create a construction timeline began after the referendum was approved.

A timeline for construction, which will occur in phases, will be announced as soon as it is developed.

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)