Did you know that the Garden of Eden resides just 12 miles outside of Minneapolis? Well, sort of. When Elizabeth Frye came to Minnesota from New York City in 1853, she was welcomed to a flourishing, green area. Climbing on top of a bluff she viewed this space to be the “Garden of Eden” which later became known as Eden Prairie. Fast forward to modern day, and it is still obvious this is a beloved, refreshing location. From the numerous trails along the city lakes to the abundance of available stores and restaurants, it is no wonder that Money Magazine named this place as the top “Best Place to Live.” Home to over 64,000 locals, it is the perfect size to raise a family just outside of the Twin Cities. I had the pleasure of exploring the history, local hot spots, and the reasoning behind why this location is so beloved by its community while composing this blog post.
Eden Prairie’s Rich History
Most people could make the name originality assumption rather quickly, but the history of this charming place goes much more in depth than the obvious circumstances. Before Frye made her stop, the Dakota people knew this space as “wa-se-cha” or “the land of plenty”. As many European explorers came to this spot, it became known as the garden spot of the developing area continua. The space resided as a small village until the mid-1900s, with the establishment of Flying Cloud airport and highway 494, the city was placed on the map.
Exploring the Outdoors
Being an outsider of Minnesota, I was excited by the opportunity to explore this new city and let it give me a taste of why the locals adore it as much as they do. As I began to drive around the area I noticed how everyone is always outdoors - no matter the time of day. With over 30 parks and 232 miles of trails and sidewalks, it is difficult to find an excuse not to be outside. This is especially relevant as summers in Minnesota are a dream. As the other eight months (sometimes even more) are normally covered in snow, it is necessary to take advantage of any warm weather presented this way.
Purgatory Creek Park
I decided to venture to the iconic Purgatory Creek Park to soak in some sunshine and see exactly what the locals were talking about. I was welcomed by a large fountain, a covered pavilion, and the veteran’s memorial. I noticed the many trails that broke away from this area and moved along the larger creek awaiting in the center. I immediately began to adore the small bridge that crossed the creek and the flourishing green wildlife. This space had me feeling almost as if I was no longer in the middle of an urban area. To begin my exploration, I took to the dirt loop leading to the crossing of the creek. Along my walk I noticed beautifully developed trees, natural vegetation grown in preservation of the area, and an overall clean space. I passed multiple people along the way that were either conversing with a friend, on a run, or simply taking to a walk after a long day of work. Each individual gave me a friendly smile or a welcoming “hello” as I passed by them. The path lasted about 2.4 miles, reminding me of how satisfying a step away outside can be on a summery day.
But what to do during a Minnesota winter?
As I came to an end of my exploration at Purgatory Creek Park, I began to wonder what the locals may like to do on a cold, wintry day. I took my imagination as if I were no longer being warmed by the pleasant 78 degree temperature, and instead being cooled by the 35 degree weather that the Midwestern's are so accustomed to. In the heart of the city resides the Eden Prairie Center, a large shopping facility home to over 120 shops and restaurants. In addition, they have the largest indoor play facility in the area as well as an 18 screen AMC movie theater. If malls are not your favorite activity, there are other means of entertainment such as Bowlero. Here you’ll find 32 lanes of bowling, plush lounge seating, state of the art arcade games, and my own personal favorite, laser tag!
No matter what the weather, the Community Center of Eden Prairie offers even more options of entertainment. Staying active is a personal passion of mine, so I was excited to find a place that offered so many great options. The location includes a fitness center, group fitness classes such as Zumba or yoga, a 25-yard lap pool equipped with multiple diving boards and a waterslide, racquetball courts, three ice rinks, a climbing and play facility, and many locker rooms.
The Arts of Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie also has their own art center. Donated by Roger Sampson, a former resident with a passion for art and creation, the facility offers open art studios as well as art programs. This is a great space to explore a new hobby or to further pursue a creative passion you might already enjoy.
Prince's Graffiti Bridge
As many people are aware the inspiring musician, Prince, grew up in Minnesota. He may not have resided here in Eden Prairie, but he still adored the area. He even was inspired by a local staple piece of Eden Prairie, known as Graffiti Bridge. This constantly changing and decorated landmark was the story behind Prince’s 1990 movie, “Graffiti Bridge.” Sadly, the bridge was torn down in 1991 to make room for the expanding area. The community still remembers the bridge and continues to honor Prince by helping support the Chanhassen community, home of Prince’s Paisley Park. Chanhassen is located just on the outskirts of Eden Prairie, making for Prince to always be a topic of conversation and a proud example for Minnesota natives and the Minneapolis music scene.
Did someone say coffee?
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One of my favorite things about exploring new cities has been finding their local coffee shops. Smith Coffee & Café was highly recommended to me and after visiting, I can see why. The space is filled with gorgeous wallpaper, a vintage aesthetic, many large rooms, an outdoor patio, and an overall soothing appeal. The large parking lot makes the location convenient to come to and the quiet atmosphere makes for an excellent space to complete some work (or perhaps a blog post). If you would like to meet a friend or a host a small event, there’s plenty of room for that as well. The coffee shop is essentially a renovated home from the late 1800s. There’s many rooms, as well as an upstairs filled with more private spaces. Throughout the home there’s beautiful decor such as old picture frames or antiqued mirrors, making you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. Along one wall they have letters and a map of Eden Prairie dating back to 1898. I chose a spot next to the wood-burning fireplace and began to sip on my coffee and devour my blueberry glazed donut. Smith Coffee & Café is an adorable and historic coffee shop located right in the middle of town.
The amazing school district
Families are consistently impressed with their children’s school district. Home to seven schools and many learning opportunities. Eden Prairie’s high school has even been named U.S. News and World Reports “best high schools” time after time. It’s no wonder they have a high statistic of 95% for continuing education of their high school grads. The preparation provided at these schools have become the foundation for many successful careers either as professionals or athletes. A few recognizable names are Jay Foreman, holding an eight year career in the NFL directly after high school, Francesca Curran, starring in the Netflix award winning series “Orange is the new black,” and Paul Anderson, who served on the Minnesota Supreme Court. Eden Prairie provides a place for self-exploration and a support to fulfill each individuals own dreams.
Upcoming Events
Throughout the year, Eden Prairie offers many local events for the community to enjoy. A hot spot to check out this summer is Staring Lake Amphitheater for theatre and musical performances. From June 10th up until August 16th they host a concert series on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. Another activity to check out is the fitness in the park. Every Wednesday from June 11th until August 10th, instructors lead group activities in Zumba or yoga. If you need something a bit sweeter, make sure to check out the Donuts & Dogs 5k9 event on June 30th. It’s a free walk/run fundraiser with your pup and a delicious treat! Keep an eye out throughout the year for more fun events offered in the Eden Prairie community.
Eden Prairie is filled with many educational, professional, and entertaining opportunities for everyone to enjoy. Flagship Bank is proud to be a part of this community.
