(Updated Wednesday, July 17)

July 15 - July 16 Rainfall Summary & Potential for Localized Flooding July 17 - 18

Flash Flood Warning
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flash flood watch from 7pm tonight, Wednesday, July 17 until 7am tomorrow, Thursday, July 18. They're predicting approximately 0.9 inches of rain tonight into Thursday with the chance for areas of heavy rain and flash flooding. The Twin Cities have a slight risk of excessive rainfall later this afternoon into this evening. Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is advising that there is a chance for localized flooding across the watershed.

Following this rainfall, the NWS is predicting dry weather in the watershed for the next week. Assuming we receive around one inch of rain tonight and the seven day forecast stays relatively dry, MCWD anticipates that it will take approximately two weeks before water levels across the watershed will start to see some relief.

July 15 - 16 Rainfall Summary
Rainfall totals on July 15 were higher than anticipated in some areas and according to the Hennepin County Mesonet weather stations, totaled between approximately 0.63 - 2.37 inches across the watershed (see map to right).

Yesterday, July 16, a very local storm quickly dropped 1.5 - 2.5 inches near Hopkins and St. Louis Park. The areas shown in red in the linked map received over two inches of rain in one hour.

Current Status

Construction is continuing to move forward as the contractors work to complete major park improvements. Work is slightly behind schedule due to record-breaking precipitation this spring and continued wet conditions, which is making construction more challenging. It’s all hands on deck to complete the stormwater management system, trails, and creek accesses. The contractors anticipate finishing the majority of work in early August with a few items to be completed after the new shelter building and playground are finished.

Once vegetation is planted throughout the park, it will take some time for the plants to grow and fill out. Thank you for your patience as the restoration takes shape.

As a reminder, all areas of the park remain closed until work is completed this fall, including the perimeter of the park without fencing. Continuing construction with large equipment makes conditions unsafe for visitors.

Work done to date:

Stormwater management:
Floodplain areas, the new streambank, and open spaces are being given their final shape in preparation for planting with native flowers, grasses, trees, and shrubs. The new stormwater treatment pipes and filters are being placed in the north end of the park, and the stormwater swales are ready for planting.

Boardwalk and trails:
The two new pedestrian bridges over Minnehaha Creek were placed at the end of June and beginning of July and the bridge deck and railings were built over the last week. Here's a short video of one of the bridges being placed by a crane. Crews are working to connect the boardwalk, park trails, and paths throughout the site. Some internal trails will be completed after the new park shelter building and playground are finished this fall.

Park shelter and playground:
The construction of the new park shelter building is well underway. Soon the exterior wall framing of the shelter building will be visible. The base for the new playground is finished, and the “container” that will hold the playground will be built in the next two weeks. 

New creek remeander:

Crews are working to put finishing touches on the new streambanks, which will be planted with grasses, flowers, and shrubs in early August. A permanent, natural fiber fabric will be placed at the top of the banks and on inside curves of the stream to keep the banks stable while plants are establishing. The site has been extremely wet with this spring’s rain, but the new streambanks have held up very well during high flows and the newly connected floodplain provided storage when the creek was outside of its banks. The new plantings will further anchor the streambanks and take up water in the floodplain.

Upcoming work:

Mid to Late July

• Creek accesses will be built as high water recedes
• New trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses will be planted in the stormwater swales, floodplain areas, streambanks, and along trails as moisture conditions allow
• Open spaces will be seeded with turf grasses or low-mow grasses

August - September

• Planting will continue
• Shelter building construction will continue
• The new playground will be completed

October

• Shelter building terrace and landscaping will be completed
• Remaining interior trails will be finished
• New hockey rink boards will be installed

For safety reasons, the park will remain closed until the project is completed. Park conditions are not safe for visitors, and access to the park is strictly forbidden. Playgrounds can be found at most city parks, including Garden, Highlands, Pamela, Todd, and Wooddale.

For questions regarding the park shelter or playground, please contact Tom Swenson at the City of Edina at tswenson@edinamn.gov or 952-826-0317.

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About this Project

The City of Edina and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District are partnering to improve the creek, habitat and the public use experience in Arden Park. The project design is based on the concept plan that was developed with community input over the course of 2017 and refined with additional feedback throughout 2018. The Arden Park project combines park improvements with natural resource improvements within the Minnehaha Creek corridor, including more access to Minnehaha Creek for fishing and recreation, a drier green space, stormwater management, and an upgraded playground and park shelter building.