Chanhassen Corner: News & Updates from the City of Chanhassen


(Chanhassen Corner is a regular feature where Chanhassen officials and various staff and contributors will share updates, insights, and messages with their communities. Patrick Gavin, Communications Manager is providing the current edition.)

Plenty of summer events and activities remain on the calendar in Chanhassen and will help draw community members to various locales in the city.

Summer Events

Final Summer Concert: July 31
Don’t miss Sawyer’s Dream, performing harmony-rich Americana from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in City Center Park. Grab dinner from Rollin Nolen’s BBQ (with plant-based options available).

Tour de Tonka Rolls
Get ready to ride! The 20th annual Tour de Tonka takes place Saturday, Aug. 2, with scenic routes from 16 to 100 miles. Proceeds benefit the ICA Food Shelf and Minnetonka Community Education.

Night to Unite
Register your neighborhood and join the community for this annual gathering on Aug. 5. Don’t forget to donate to Bountiful Basket Food Shelf to help Chanhassen win its friendly competition with neighboring cities.

Dance for Fun
Explore Dance for Fun at the Rec Center during one of three open houses: Aug. 5, 12 or 21 from 5–7 p.m. Meet instructors, try on shoes and learn about class offerings.

Community Day
Celebrate Community Day at the Rec Center on Aug. 16 with free admission all day and family fun from 9 a.m. to noon — Touch a Truck, bounce house, art projects, slapshot testing and more!

Free Paper Shredding
Bring your documents to the Chanhassen Rec Center Aug. 10 between 9 a.m. and noon (or until the truck is full) for secure, onsite shredding No fee. 

Pickleball Camp for Kids
Sign up now for Skyhawks Pickleball Camp, a fun and educational opportunity for kids ages 7–12, to learn the sport in a supportive setting.

Spotlight on Golf Zone in The Local
The June episode of The Local visits Golf Zone to learn about their simulators, business growth and community presence. The series continues to showcase Chanhassen’s small business stories.

City News

The Fall Issue of Chanhassen Connection Is Out
The fall edition of Chanhassen Connection is now available featuring updates on upcoming events, park improvements and the new Senior Center. Read the latest issue here

Smoke Alarm Placement Video
Not sure where your smoke alarms should go? This short video from the Chanhassen Fire Department explains proper placement for maximum safety. (And watch this video to learn more about what your fire alarm “chirps” mean!)

Be WaterWise
Water before sunrise, avoid overwatering and apply for a WaterWise rebate to help conserve water and reduce infrastructure strain.

Emergency Siren Guide
Following June’s storm, many residents had questions about sirens. This article explains how they work, when they’re activated and what to do when you hear one.

Construction and Infrastructure

Civic Campus Construction Update
Inside, ceilings and tile work are being finished at the new City Hall and Senior Center. Clock tower work and solar panel installation are coming soon. Watch our latest video tour.

Phase 2 Brings Parking Changes
Phase 2 of the Civic Campus project is underway. Find updated parking maps and access details, especially if visiting City Hall.

Skate Park Closed for Reconstruction
The Skate Park is closed during Phase 2 and will reopen in summer 2026 with a new surface and layout. Nearby parks in Eden Prairie, Shakopee, Minnetonka and others are great alternatives.

Pickleball Courts Reopened
After major resurfacing, six Rec Center pickleball courts are now safer, smoother and ready for play.

Downtown Banners Installed
Six new banners downtown depict seasonal moments in Chanhassen, from Memorial Day to the July 4th celebration and snowy winter scenes.

Pleasant View Road Project in Planning Phase
Chanhassen has hired Kimley-Horn to begin design and data collection for the Pleasant View Road Improvement Project. Work this year will focus on safety, multimodal access and stormwater upgrades, with public input opportunities planned for later this year.

City Council Updates

Highway 41 Underpass Moving Forward
City Council gave support for a pedestrian underpass near West 78th Street and Highway 41. The project will improve trail connectivity and pedestrian safety. A funding agreement with Carver County is expected this fall.

Short-Term Rental Ordinance Amended
The council approved updates to the ordinance to clarify license requirements, enforcement processes and occupancy rules. 

Preliminary 2026 Budget Talks Begin
The City Council held its first budget work session, reviewing early projections around labor costs, health premiums and election expenses. A more detailed budget will be shared in August.

West 78th Clock Tower to Receive Facelift
The City Council voted to preserve the East Side clock tower, originally built in 1988, for its historical and visual significance. Staff will return this fall with options to repair or reimagine the structure — including a possible public survey.

Carver County Local News is a volunteer-run non-profit organization dedicated to bringing important news to eastern Carver County.
Because we rely on volunteer time and effort, we value help from the community. See something newsworthy happening? Document it and submit a news tip here.
While we value community input and news tips, Carver County Local News does not publish letters to the editor or rebuttal opinion pieces.
We’re also actively looking for volunteer writers to help witness events in our community and share them with others. Click here to volunteer.



Anonymous polls to help us better serve our readers







User Preferences