Centennial Lakes Park stands today as a testament to long-term urban planning vision. The site, which was an open mining excavation in the 1950s and 60s, underwent a dramatic transformation between 1986 and 2000. What began as a mound of gravel became a 122-acre park featuring lakes, trails, and recreational amenities that now draw residents and visitors year-round.

The path to creating the park required city officials to make significant regulatory changes. As one former project stakeholder noted during the retreat, "We had to amend our zoning ordinance to make a project like this work." Early proposals had called for office warehouses on the land, but city leaders chose instead to prioritize public green space. The development also cleverly integrated stormwater management systems—typically required infrastructure—into the park's design, turning a functional necessity into a central feature.

The City Council retreat included a televised oral history event, which aired on Comcast channel 813, documenting the project's background and the people who shaped it. Tom Cornell, a reporter for Edina TV, moderated discussions about the site's history and the urban planning decisions that made the transformation possible.

As the city looks forward, Cornell offered a closing reflection on the park's significance: "Let's hope the city keeps that vision and maintains this park system that's really second to none in the United States." The retreat underscored Edina's commitment to preserving and maintaining the public spaces that define the community's character.