Mayor’s Letter
Welcome to Edina! As a premier first-ring suburb of the Twin Cities metro area, our City is known for its outstanding school district, parks and recreational opportunities, retail shopping and dining. There’s always something to do in the community, and makes for a terrific destination to both visit and call home.
The City provides a wide range of opportunities to stay active for residents and visitors alike, and always looks for ways to expand its recreational capacity. Last year, construction of the Mooty Pickleball Courts was completed at the north end of Rosland Park, off West 64th Street by the pedestrian bridge over the Crosstown Highway (Minnesota Highway 62). Built to accommodate the ever-expanding sport in Edina, these new courts are open to the public, but are also used frequently for classes, lessons and leagues. Pickleball programming can be found in the Edina Parks & Recreation Activities Directory, and is an exciting outdoor game for all ages.
With more than 40 parks and 1,500 acres of open space to explore and enjoy, the City upgraded two play equipment structures at Fox Meadow and Wooddale Parks in 2023. With one of the most expansive park systems in the area, these recreation projects enhance the outdoor experience for children and families and serves as a safe location to visit with other residents in the community.
For a more relaxing activity, take a ride along the waterways of Centennial Lakes on one of our new four-person swan paddle boats. The Park's lake consists of three large bodies of water connected by a channel that runs under bridges, along the Putting Course and past the Hughes Pavilion. Peddling by paddle boat is an excellent way to see the entirety of Park and explore its many features.
In Edina, we take great pride in our schools, which are renowned nationwide for its excellent reputation. The Edina Public School system serves most of the geography within our City limits, with the northwestern portion of the City being part of the Hopkins School District. New this year, Edina High School began a mandatory internship program as part of the Youth Skills Training Program (YSTP), which must be completed by all students for graduation. The YSTP is focused on giving Edina students a head start on gaining the skills, knowledge and awareness to succeed in their future careers.
Although the City is focused on our future, the Edina community honors its unique heritage. There are over 10 properties in the City that are Heritage Landmarks, including: Browndale Bridge, Cahill School, Edina Mills, Grange Hall, several historic houses and more. The City also appreciates the arts, as we feature masterfully crafted sculptures and other pieces of art at Centennial Lakes Park, Edina Art Center Edina City Hall, Edina Promenade, Grandview Square Park and 50th & France.
Edina is well known for its bustling commercial district of 50th & France, which offers a variety of shopping locations and dining experiences. The City is also home to two regional shopping malls; Southdale Center and Galleria on France Avenue. If you’re looking for additional options, try one of the many restaurants and boutiques within Edina’s other commercial zones from Town Hall Station and Patisserie Margo at Valley View to The Hilltop in the Grandview District.
No matter how you choose to spend your time in the City, the Edina Community Guide will serve you well and provide the information necessary to explore what makes our community a great place for everyone. Whether you live in, work in, or are just stopping by Edina, we’d like to extend our warmest welcome to the City and hope you enjoy your time here!
James B. Hovland - Mayor