If you love getting places under your own power, you’re in the right spot. The communities around Centennial Lakes Office Park—Edina, Richfield, Bloomington, and Southwest Minneapolis—are stitched together with lakeside loops, protected bikeways, and regional trails. Here’s how to turn lunch breaks into leg-stretchers and commutes into mini-adventures.
Start at Home Base: Centennial Lakes & the Edina Promenade
Right outside the office you’ll find a scenic 1.4-mile paved loop around Centennial Lakes—perfect for a brisk walk, jog, or easy ride. From the park’s north end, the Edina Promenade picks up the thread, guiding you along landscaped paths, public art, and straight toward everyday stops for coffee, lunch, or errands. It’s the definition of “errands by foot.”
The Big Connector: Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail
Looking for a longer spin? Hop on the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail to roll through wetlands on boardwalks and glide between cities. NMC links Edina with Richfield, Bloomington, Hopkins, and Minnetonka—opening up miles of low-stress biking and walking right from our doorstep.
Richfield: Protected Bikeways & Main-Street Access
To the east, Richfield’s 66th Street rebuild added sidewalk-level, one-way protected bike lanes plus wider sidewalks—great for confident commuting or a relaxed ride to neighborhood restaurants. And with Nicollet Avenue slated for a people-first redesign beginning in 2026, connections will only improve.
Bloomington: Lakes, Prairies, and River Valley Riding
Pedal south and you’ll reach Hyland Lake Park Reserve, where paved paths wind past prairies and lakes, and nearby singletrack beckons at the Minnesota River Bottoms for off-road fans. It’s a quick “nature reset” after a day of emails.
Southwest Minneapolis: Chain of Lakes & the Grand Rounds
Weekend plans, solved: connect east via creekside routes to Minneapolis’ famed Chain of Lakes and the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, a 51-mile showcase of parks, trails, and waterfronts. The Minnehaha Creek corridor makes the link feel seamless (and scenic).
Quick, Ready-to-Go Routes
- Lunchtime Reset (20–30 min): Do the Centennial Lakes loop once (or twice if the calendar allows). Smooth, flat, and close enough to make your 1 p.m. meeting.
- After-Work Glide (45–60 min): From the park, connect to the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail, then choose your direction—west for quiet wetlands, east toward Richfield’s protected lanes.
- Saturday Scenic (2–3 hrs): Follow creek-side connections toward Minnehaha Falls and loop the Chain of Lakes. Pack snacks and a camera.
Tips for a Smooth Walk/Bike Day
- Use the Promenade to stitch together errands on foot—coffee, lunch, pharmacy—without crossing busy roads.
- Think “trails first.” From Nine Mile Creek to Hyland, choosing trail routes keeps things calmer and greener.
- New to the network? The City of Edina’s Biking & Walking page is a handy launch pad for local maps and how-tos.
Why it all matters
A walkable, bikeable campus isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s an everyday quality-of-life boost. Whether you’re squeezing in steps between meetings or swapping a short drive for a breezy ride, these connected neighborhoods make healthy, low-stress movement the easy choice.
Ready to roll? Lace up, grab a helmet, and let the paths around Centennial Lakes lead the way.