Anoka Council Advances Green Haven Trail, Finalizes Last Phase of Eastview Meadows Development

ANOKA, Minn. — The Anoka City Council has approved two major actions that will reshape both public recreation and residential growth on the city’s north side: moving forward with a new pedestrian trail along the west edge of Green Haven Golf Course & Event Center and authorizing the final plat for the last phase of the Eastview Meadows townhome development.

Trail Project Moves Forward After Road Closure

At its Nov. 3 meeting, the council voted to permanently vacate a portion of Garfield Street West — a low-volume residential road bordering the golf course — paving the way for a 4,000-foot pedestrian and bicycle trail. The decision follows a city-implemented trial closure in October, during which officials monitored traffic patterns and collected public feedback. The city’s data showed daily traffic had fallen from 669 vehicles in 2016 to just 262 in 2025.

City staff said removing the road eliminates a long-standing safety issue: golfers previously had to cross the street to move between holes, creating a hazardous crossing point. The closure also reduces cut-through traffic in the adjacent Slab Town neighborhood, a point raised repeatedly during community outreach. Maintenance savings were another major factor; rebuilding the aging road segment was projected to cost more than $1 million.

The proposed trail will be wide enough for both pedestrians and cyclists and will link with existing trail segments around Green Haven, forming a continuous recreational loop. The project is part of the broader Greens of Anoka Redevelopment Plan, which calls for improved public amenities and strategic reuse of city-owned land surrounding the golf course.

City engineers are now preparing detailed designs and cost estimates. Once plans are finalized and bids are solicited, construction could begin as early as 2026.

Final Phase of Eastview Meadows Secures Approval

The council also unanimously approved the final plat for the Eastview Meadows Third Addition, the last planned phase of a townhome community first approved in 2017. The final phase centers on Outlot A of the Second Addition — a parcel formerly leased to Crown Castle for a cell tower. The tower was removed earlier this year after the lease expired, allowing the land to be returned to the development.

Under the newly approved plat, the outlot will be divided into two buildable lots. Developer STC Homes, LLC, which has a purchase agreement with the city, plans to construct two detached, association-maintained townhomes on the site. The sale price of the lots was adjusted to $22,504 per parcel to reflect current market conditions.

The additional homes will complete the 28-unit Eastview Meadows neighborhood, located east of 11th Avenue and north of North Street. Construction is tentatively planned for spring 2026, pending final permitting and county recording.

City officials have emphasized that converting the former city-owned tower site into private residential lots aligns with their long-term strategy to increase the city’s tax base while promoting compact, infill development.

Balancing Growth and Public Investment

Together, the Green Haven trail initiative and the final phase of Eastview Meadows illustrate Anoka’s broader development strategy: strengthen community amenities, improve safety, and maximize the fiscal impact of city-owned land. The dual actions also reflect long-standing guidance in the Greens of Anoka Redevelopment Plan, which targets the Green Haven corridor for reinvestment and improved connectivity.

City staff will return to the council in the coming months with detailed engineering plans for the trail project. Meanwhile, Eastview Meadows is expected to move into its final construction stage once the plat is recorded with Anoka County.

MinneapoliMedia