Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation

The Braemar Park master plan was created in 2017 with the help of residents and community members. City Council approved the master plan on Jan. 3, 2018. On Nov. 8, 2022, voters approved via referendum a local option sales tax to allocate $8.1 million of project funding for implementation and next phases of the Braemar Park master plan. Project planning efforts are moving forward for completing final design and constructing improvements in the park. Additional stakeholder and public engagement will occur during preliminary and final design to integrate comment and feedback into the design process.
Current proposed trail and park improvements include:
- Walking trails
- Mountain bike trails
- Cross-country skiing trails
- Pickleball
- Courtney Fields baseball complex improvements
- Wayfinding signs and trail connections
- Natural resource restoration
- Improved parking and access to Braemar Golf Course, Braemar Arena, and Courtney Fields
The Braemar Park master plan was created in 2017 with the help of residents and community members. City Council approved the master plan on Jan. 3, 2018. On Nov. 8, 2022, voters approved via referendum a local option sales tax to allocate $8.1 million of project funding for implementation and next phases of the Braemar Park master plan. Project planning efforts are moving forward for completing final design and constructing improvements in the park. Additional stakeholder and public engagement will occur during preliminary and final design to integrate comment and feedback into the design process.
Current proposed trail and park improvements include:
- Walking trails
- Mountain bike trails
- Cross-country skiing trails
- Pickleball
- Courtney Fields baseball complex improvements
- Wayfinding signs and trail connections
- Natural resource restoration
- Improved parking and access to Braemar Golf Course, Braemar Arena, and Courtney Fields
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Trail updates
Share Trail updates on Facebook Share Trail updates on Twitter Share Trail updates on Linkedin Email Trail updates linkEdina has partnered with MORC, Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists at Braemar Park Trails. MORC will help to support Edina with trail maintenance and improvements. Trail information can now be found at their website here. Trail closures can also be viewed on Trailbot or at MORC's website here for all MORC managed trails. Trail needs can be reported through Trailbot or Edina 311.
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Grand Opening Tomorrow!
Share Grand Opening Tomorrow! on Facebook Share Grand Opening Tomorrow! on Twitter Share Grand Opening Tomorrow! on Linkedin Email Grand Opening Tomorrow! linkJoin us Wednesday September 4th at 5:00 pm at the Braemar Golf Dome and trail head for our Braemar Trails Grand Opening and Ribbon cutting. We will be thanking all those who supported the project from idea through completion. MORC, BORCA, Wolf Tooth Components, and Yardi will be on site. Take a hike or bike with us and celebrate the trails.
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Trails Partially OPENED
Share Trails Partially OPENED on Facebook Share Trails Partially OPENED on Twitter Share Trails Partially OPENED on Linkedin Email Trails Partially OPENED linkWest side trails are open! Thanks to Edina MTB team for your help clearing debris. Please be cautious riding for shifted debris and rutting on trails. Staff and contractors are working on East side.
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NOTICE: NO THROTTLED E-BIKES ON TRAILS
Share NOTICE: NO THROTTLED E-BIKES ON TRAILS on Facebook Share NOTICE: NO THROTTLED E-BIKES ON TRAILS on Twitter Share NOTICE: NO THROTTLED E-BIKES ON TRAILS on Linkedin Email NOTICE: NO THROTTLED E-BIKES ON TRAILS linkBraemar Trails have been prohibited to motorized vehicles but the City has expanded that to also include Class 2 and Class 3 E- bikes.
The City of Edina has drafted an agreement for City approval on September 3rd with Minnesota Off -Road Cycling (MORC). To partner on trail maintenance and long term trail vision. To help support trail maintenance the City has decided to prohibit Class 2 and Class 3 E-bikes on Braemar trails. City staff has recorded damage and received reports of damage on trail system from these bikes. The aggressive tires and throttle speeds have contributed to erosion and feature integrity. The City will continue to allow Class 1 pedal assist E-bikes. The City made this decision to both support MORC's position and partnership as well as to promote long term sustainability of soft surface trail system.
Rules and Regulations will be posted at trail heads.
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Hiking Trails Map
Share Hiking Trails Map on Facebook Share Hiking Trails Map on Twitter Share Hiking Trails Map on Linkedin Email Hiking Trails Map linkThe hiking and pedestrian trails are available for use at Braemar trails. These trails can be accessed from multiple points and link together with a shared use path on Braemar Blvd/Hilary Lane. Biking trails are still being worked on and are anticipated to open this week, weather dependent. Please stay on hiking trails at this time so contractors can continue to work on biking trails and restoration work on the site. A pedestrian trail map can be downloaded here.
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Dirt Capping and finishing touches for Trails
Share Dirt Capping and finishing touches for Trails on Facebook Share Dirt Capping and finishing touches for Trails on Twitter Share Dirt Capping and finishing touches for Trails on Linkedin Email Dirt Capping and finishing touches for Trails linkPathfinder is putting the icing on the cake for the Braemar Trails. They are applying clay capping to the jump-line and SW trail segment to improve trail surfacing and wear. Walking paths are open for hikers and all trees are clear. Biking trails are not yet ready and still have contractors doing tree work and natural resources work.
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Trails Nearing Completion
Share Trails Nearing Completion on Facebook Share Trails Nearing Completion on Twitter Share Trails Nearing Completion on Linkedin Email Trails Nearing Completion linkWe ask your patience a little while longer for our Braemar Trails. Currently contractors and staff are working on finishing touches for the trails. Trails will remain closed until these items are completed. We will post a map and trail guidelines once we have completed these. We will also let everyone know an official grand opening date and time. We are very excited for the trails to be opened and users to start enjoying the space.
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Mountain Biking and Hiking Trails STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Share Mountain Biking and Hiking Trails STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION on Facebook Share Mountain Biking and Hiking Trails STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION on Twitter Share Mountain Biking and Hiking Trails STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION on Linkedin Email Mountain Biking and Hiking Trails STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION linkPathfinder has been making great progress on the trail system in the hills surrounding Braemar Golf Course. These areas are still under construction and not open yet for riders. We ask that you remain patient in order for contractors and staff to finish needed work to open these for the public. We are on track to open segments up for July but need to keep workers safe and trail in good condition. Please remain patient and keep bikes off trails until they are opened.
We will post the finalized trail layouts as well as trailhead parking locations and access points during the phased opening as soon as we have them confirmed.
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Hilary Lane- Road Closure
Share Hilary Lane- Road Closure on Facebook Share Hilary Lane- Road Closure on Twitter Share Hilary Lane- Road Closure on Linkedin Email Hilary Lane- Road Closure linkHilary Lane will be experiencing road work beginning Tuesday, June 4. Hilary Lane will be closed on the west side of John Harris Drive, and out to the frontage road. It will also be closed at the Hilary Lane and Valley View Road roundabout.
The detour route for John Harris Drive will be- north on the frontage road to Valley View Road. Follow this to Gleason Road, then go south on Gleason Road to Hilary Lane.
It will be closed to all traffic Tuesday, June 4 through Friday, June 7 while it is being milled and paved, with an expected opening of Friday at 4 p.m. This closure is weather dependent and subject to change.
Please contact Streets Supervisor Shawn Anderson at 952-826-0313 or SAnderson@EdinaMN.gov with any questions.
Please visit www.EdinaMN.gov/RoadClosures for an ongoing list of Road Closures. -
June Update
Share June Update on Facebook Share June Update on Twitter Share June Update on Linkedin Email June Update linkThe woods were busy this May with Trail building and habitat monitoring. Despite rainfall, contractors have had great progress with all three sections of trail. To date there has been over 7500 feet of trail constructed. All of our hiking paths have been laid out and trail builders are now working on the biking trails. Our eastern segment is projected to be completed in June and will be opened once trail meet all requirements and any identified hazard trees addressed. We will update with trail layouts and images when the trails are ready for use.
Until that point please stay off biking trails and keep a safe distance from contractors working on the site.
Who's Listening
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Director of Parks and Recreation
Email pvetter@edinamn.gov -
Assistant Director - Parks and Natural Resources
TSEmail tswenson@edinamn.gov -
Phone 9528260397 Email rfinberg@edinamn.gov
Follow Project
Lifecycle
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Community Engaged
Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation has finished this stage2017 City Staff, Stakeholders, and community members provided input and feedback to create a master plan for Braemar Park. See engagement log in documents for more information.
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Master Plan Approved
Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation has finished this stageJanuary 3rd 2018, City Council approved Braemar Park Master Plan
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Funding Identified
Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation has finished this stageNovember 2022 voters approved a referendum to allowed for local option sales tax revenue to be allocated to the implementation of Braemar Park master Plan.
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Consultants hired and master plan concept designs are refined
Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation has finished this stageSpring 2023 consultants are hired to continue refining design concepts set forward in the approved master plan. Designer are engaged for Courtney Fields upgrades, trails, natural resources, and site improvements.
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Community and Stakeholder Feedback
Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation has finished this stageAn open house for the community will be held September 6th from 4-7 at Braemar Backyard Rink. Staff and consultants will be on hand to answer questions and provide updates on project components. Feedback will also be collected about preliminary trail layouts and other master plan components. Feedback will also be collected on Better Together Edina.
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Parks and Recreation Commission Review and Comment
Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation has finished this stageCommissioners will review and comment on preliminary trail layouts and concept design. Comments will be combined with community feedback and provided to City Council.
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City Council 30% Design Update
Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation has finished this stageCity Council will receive a staff report and presentation of the refined Braemar Park master plan concepts. This will include Parks and Recreation Commissions comments as well as community feedback. Staff will present to City Council at a work session on October 17th, 2023
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Natural Resources Restoration Phase 1
Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation has finished this stageBuckthorn and other target species removal was awarded to Landbridge Ecological for targeted areas. Future phases will include addition invasive removals, enhancements and plantings, and long term management.
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Braemar Trails Enters Design Development
Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation has finished this stageBased on feedback collected from staff, stakeholders, community, commissioners, mayor and city council staff and consultants will progress into design development for the Braemar Trails project.
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Braemar Trails Enters Construction Documents
Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation has finished this stage -
Braemar Trails Bid Packages are posted
Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation has finished this stage -
Biking and Hiking Trail Construction Begins
Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation has finished this stagePathfinder Trail Building has been awarded contract for trail building. The first phase of trails will be the eastern and western hillsides. The second phase will happen later this season or next and will include a shared trail boardwalk and connector through the south Braemar Park property by Nine Mile Creek.
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Trails Open
Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation is currently at this stageHiking Trails and Biking Trails are Open!