Green Circle Park

Address

5600 Green Circle Dr

Get map and directions

Amenities

  • Picnic area
  • Trails, walking
  • Trails, biking
  • Resource stewardship

Commonly referred to as “Opus,” this square-mile of planned development is located in the southeast part of Minnetonka and bounded by Highway169, Shady Oak Road, Highway 62 and Smetana Road. A unique one-way looped roadway system and a trail system connect the residential, hotel, commercial, light industrial and office buildings, as well as Green Circle Park or “Annies Pond.” The trail system was originally designed as a secondary road system, but now provides a great opportunity for recreation and exercise to the thousands of employees and residents working and living in Opus—as well as an occasional (albeit illegal) escape route for frustrated motorists hopelessly baffled by the one-way road system.

History

Prior to the council approval of the Opus II development in 1978, this area had acres of farms growing raspberries. An 1890 plot map of the area shows the names Feltl, Dvorak, Bren and Smetana, early settlers who are now remembered by their namesake streets. Even the St. Margaret Cemetery, located in the southwest part of Opus, is on the 1890 map. Prior to its redevelopment, there was a plant nursery area for the city and a trailer park in the area.

Opus trails

Map of Opus

The almost six miles of trails in Opus are paved. Trails typically cross the roadway under the bridges, so there are just a few at-grade crossings in the entire maze of trails. All the buildings have connections to the trail system. During the winter season, the main trails are plowed after a snowfall of two inches or more.

Trail connections

Access the Opus trails in two places: Smetana Road just east of Feltl Road and Shady Oak Road at Red Circle Drive. Four parking spots are available on Green Circle Drive on the east side of Green Circle Park.

If you go

  • Trails are open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Benches are occasionally located along the trails.
  • Four parking spots are available on the east side of Green Circle Park.
  • Green Circle Park has a gazebo on the peninsula and a 0.3 mile path around the pond.
  • Dogs must be on a leash (no longer than 6 feet) on the trails, in the play areas and the parking lot.
  • Please pick up after your pet. Mutt Mitt dispensers are available along the trail.

Please Note: This year the city will begin repaving portions of the Opus Trails. The project will take place over over three years to lessen the budget impact and to use city staff instead of outside contractors.

Please look for signs warning of upcoming trail repair, and use caution if you come upon signs announcing trail repaving. Be sure to choose a different route that day, as trucks will be on the trails hauling materials. Once a trail has been blacktopped, it is safe to walk or ride a bike on it.