Plymouth’s 37th-annual Fire & Ice winter festival is set for 3-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at Plymouth Creek Playfield, 3625 Fernbrook Lane N.  

This event will offer a variety of free activities, including ice skating, snowshoeing, sled dog rides and tube slides. Participants may wander through the snow village or enjoy a winter train ride. For warmth, attendees may gather around bonfires or sit in a heated tent and play bingo. Children may enjoy a snow play area and photo opportunities at the llama meet and greet. 

Food will be available for purchase at the event; attendees should bring cash and/or credit cards.

Fire & Ice will conclude with a fireworks display beginning at 6:30 p.m., sponsored by the Plymouth Civic League. A full schedule of events and activities will be posted in mid-January at plymouthmn.gov/fireandice.

Fire & Ice Medallion Hunt 

The Medallion Hunt begins Thursday, Jan. 8. Clues will be posted on the city's social media platforms and the Fire & Ice webpage, plymouthmn.gov/fireandice.

More clues will be announced on Jan. 15, 22 and 29, or until someone finds the medallion. There is no need to register or pay to participate. A $250 prize is awarded to the first sleuth who finds the medallion. 

Coloring Contest 

This year marks the seventh-annual Fire & Ice Coloring Contest – and community members of all ages are invited to participate in the contest in advance of Fire & Ice. 

Entries will be judged in six age categories: 

• Youth – ages 3-4 
• Youth – ages 5-7
• Youth – ages 8-10
• Youth – ages 11-13
• Teens – ages 14-17
• Adults – ages 18 and older 

Contest sheets can be downloaded beginning Monday, Jan. 5 at plymouthmn.gov/fireandice. Any art supplies may be used, except computer editing software. Submissions may be dropped off at Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., or the Plymouth Community Center, 14800 34th Ave. N. Contestants may also submit entries online at plymouthmn.gov/fireandice. All entries must be received by 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16.

Shuttle Information 

Parking at Plymouth Creek Playfield is limited to accessible parking only. Free shuttle service is available, running to and from the Plymouth Community Center, 14800 34th Ave. N. There is no cost to park at the Community Center. More information about shuttles will be posted on the city website in late-January. In the event of extreme temperatures or inclement weather, cancellation will be announced at plymouthmn.gov/fireandice and via the weather line at 763-509-5205.

To collect community feedback and gauge city service satisfaction, the City of Plymouth partnered with Polco/the National Research Center to complete the National Community Survey in 2025 in Plymouth – and the results are available to view on the city website.

The NCS provides national benchmarks by comparing data from more than 500 communities across the country. Plymouth’s results have also been compared to a custom benchmark of similar Minnesota communities.

The survey, which included questions about quality of life, public safety, customer satisfaction in Plymouth and more, allows the city to assess changes in resident input and encourages data-driven, evidence-based decision making. 

Highlights from Survey Results

According to survey results, 96% of residents rated Plymouth as an excellent or good place to live. The survey report also found:

• Roughly 9 in 10 (92%) positively rated the overall quality of life in Plymouth, surpassing the national benchmark.
• About 9 in 10 respondents provided positive ratings on the overall image or reputation of Plymouth (92%), outperforming national and custom benchmarks.
• Roughly 8 in 10 community members (79%) positively rated the overall direction that Plymouth is taking and rated their confidence in Plymouth government highly (77%) – results that are both higher than national and custom comparisons.
• Crime prevention ratings rose from 80% excellent or good in 2022 to 89% in 2025.
• Most residents indicated Plymouth’s government is excellent or good at treating all residents fairly (84%), and treating residents with respect (89%). Both ratings exceeded benchmark averages and increased significantly since 2022. 
• The No. 1 ranked priority for respondents, the quality of parks and recreation was rated highly by nearly all residents (95%), surpassing the national average.
• Virtually all residents also reported feeling safe in their neighborhoods (98% somewhat or very safe) and in Plymouth’s downtown/commercial area during the day (96%).

Background, View Results

The survey was mailed to 4,000 randomly selected households in Plymouth in September. Residents not part of the randomly selected group were invited to take the open-participation online survey. To view the full survey results, as well as results from previous years, visit plymouthmn.gov/survey.

The Plymouth City Council has adopted the 2026 budget, which includes an overall property tax levy increase of 7.1% from 2025. The impact to each residential property tax bill may differ based on market value changes to the individual property, changes to property values citywide, and changes between commercial and residential properties’ share of the overall property value in the city. 

Homeowners with a median value home in Plymouth ($500,500) are likely to see an average increase in city taxes of $125.

A number of rate studies and analyses are considered during the city budget and forecast processes, which help the city plan ahead to manage anticipated changes to the tax levy. 

In alignment with the Plymouth City Council’s five strategic priorities, changes to this year’s levy are primarily due to staff costs that support city services, including competitive compensation to attract and retain city employees, rate increases for health insurance, and new positions to support city services; long-range investments in city fleet, facilities, IT and risk management; and park and trail replacement project funding.

To view the strategic priorities, visit plymouthmn.gov/goals. To view detailed information about the city budget, including the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and other documents that outline the city’s financial status and practices, visit plymouthmn.gov/financialreport.

Puzzle Palooza

Puzzle Palooza is set for 10-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Plymouth Community Center, 14800 34th Ave. N. Sign up as a team and race to complete a 500-piece puzzle competition. To register and learn more, visit plymouthmn.gov/recguide (activity code 15911).

Pie Day Fundraiser

The Pie Day Fundraiser is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 6 at the Plymouth Community Center, 14800 34th Ave. N. Slices of freshly baked pie will be served with ice cream. Cost is $5 per slice with an ice cream cup or $25 per pie with six cups of ice cream. Pie must be purchased at the event; pre-sale is not available. Money raised through the fundraiser helps support programming for seniors/active adults ages 55 and older. Pie Day participants may also enjoy live music – the Plymouth Rockers Performing Senior Chorus is set to take the stage at 11 a.m. during the event. For more information, call the Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department at 763-509-5200.

Meet Your Neighbor Series: Learn the basics of Autism Spectrum Disorder

A free program offered by the City of Plymouth, the Meet Your Neighbor series helps foster community connection through the lens of education and cultural exploration. The goal is to have attendees leave feeling more knowledgeable, supported and confident in their connections with neighbors and fellow community members.

The following events will be held at the Plymouth Community Center:  

• An Afternoon in Kenya – 10-11 a.m. Saturday, March 28. Learn about the beauty and culture of Kenya.
• Learn the Basics of Autism Spectrum Disorder – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22. This class shines a light on autism with compassion, clarity and celebration of neurodiversity. 

Both events are available at no cost. Attendees must register in advance at plymouthmn.gov/specialevents.

Plymouth Community Center Open Play

Special Open Play Days will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19 and Monday, Feb. 16 at the Plymouth Community Center, 14800 34th Ave. N. Special Open Play Days give attendees access to the indoor playground, gym and fieldhouse, which will feature a variety of inflatables. Caregivers are required to stay and supervise children. Wristbands cost $12 and can be purchased at the Plymouth Community Center. Tickets for the indoor playground and fieldhouse open play will not be sold during Special Open Play Days. 

Free Indoor Walking/Jogging

The Plymouth Community Center, 14800 34th Ave. N., offers free indoor walking 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday on the indoor walking track. Strollers are not permitted. No registration required. Free walking and jogging is also available during select hours in the Fieldhouse dome. Strollers are permitted. Dome temperature depends on the outside temperature and will range from 30-55 degrees; participants are encouraged to dress in layers. Visit plymouthcommunitycenter.com/fieldhouse for hours. Schedule is subject to change. No registration required.

A major redevelopment project at Bass Lake Road and Interstate 494 in Plymouth, The Boulevard is taking shape with new tenants, including restaurants and grocery, residential, banking, and orthopedic facilities.

The additions help advance the vision for the mixed-use site, which includes medical offices, waterfront dining, grocery-anchored retail, residential units, a business campus and a large city park.

Coborn’s Market & Table

Coborn’s Market & Table is slated to open in March at the northwest corner of The Boulevard. A new prototype for Coborn’s, the store will blend grocery shopping with restaurant-style dining. Coborn’s Market & Table will feature a variety of new in-store food tenants, including The Buttered Tin, a local bakery and café founded by James Beard-recognized chef and Cupcake Wars winner Alicia Hinze. 

Twin Cities Restaurateur David Fhima will also expand Coborn’s culinary offerings with three new fast-casual concepts: Basta Pasta, Brother’s Burgers and Abuela’s Mexican Kitchen. 

“It’s exciting to see this kind of culinary investment anchoring The Boulevard project,” said Plymouth Economic Development Coordinator Jennifer Erickson. “These fast-casual restaurants bring more variety to Plymouth – which is a tremendous win for the city and gives residents and visitors an exciting new reason to gather, dine and explore our community.”

In addition to options for fast-casual dining, Coborn’s Market & Table will also offer Penny Horse Parlor ice cream shop; Mulberrys Garment Care; and an on-site liquor store, Coborn’s Wine & Spirits.

Belterra at the Boulevard

The first of four planned residential buildings, Belterra at the Boulevard broke ground in July 2025 and is expected to be complete in 2027. The apartment building will feature 207 units ranging from studio to three-bedroom options.

Chase Bank

Construction began in December 2025 on a new Chase Bank location. The facility is expected to open later this year.

Summit Orthopedics

The first tenant to complete construction on the site, Summit Orthopedics opened its doors to customers in October 2025. The 78,000-square-foot building includes an ambulatory surgery center, clinic space, physical therapy and hand therapy, bracing and orthotics, MRI and CT imaging services, and orthopedic urgent care.

Three Plymouth companies were named on the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s list of top 50 rapidly expanding private companies in the Twin Cities based on revenue growth in 2025.

No. 1 on the Fast 50 list was Plymouth-based Lotus Pharmacy, which provides pharmaceuticals and clinical programs for independent living communities and organized care facilities. 

A woman-owned business with a fleet of pink electric delivery vehicles, Lotus Pharmacy reported $8.8 million in sales last year and experienced a 562.1% revenue growth from 2022 to 2024. 

Immigration law firm Webber Arredondo Oja was named No. 13 on the Fast 50 list with a growth rate of 112.47% from 2022 to 2024. Berger Financial Group was ranked 32nd with a growth rate of 44.12%.

New Business News

Alter Technology recently celebrated the grand opening of its new semiconductor testing facility at 15301 Highway 55 in Plymouth – the company’s first facility in the United States. The space includes a 4,000-square-foot clean room and specialized lab areas that will support the company’s work in the global semiconductor industry.

Below are upcoming volunteer opportunities:

• Fire & Ice – Greet and assist with family activities on Saturday, Feb. 7.
• Pie Day – Serve pie on Friday, March 6. 
• Discover Plymouth – Help with set up and tear down of the event on Saturday, March 21. 
• Shoveling Snow – Adopt a fire hydrant or storm drain to remove snow and ice as needed during winter. Visit plymouthmn.gov/adoptaspot. 

To find out more about these and other opportunities, visit plymouthmn.gov/volunteer or email volunteer@plymouthmn.gov.

Janet Stroebl gives time to make special events more special

As a volunteer, Janet has helped at many of Plymouth’s special events, greeting attendees and keeping activities running smoothly. She also volunteers as a wedding rehearsal liaison at the Plymouth Community Center to help wedding parties ensure everything is ready to go for the big day.

Janet said: “My husband and I moved to Plymouth in 1991. At that time, there was not much development northwest of County Road 24 – and today there’s not much land left for development. Plymouth is a wonderful community of hard-working people who strive to keep it that way by using their many skills and experiences. I look forward to volunteer opportunities within the community. Through these activities, I have met many interesting people who continue to find purpose in their lives. And for these opportunities, I am grateful!”

Because Janet volunteers, the city is able to provide exceptional service for wedding parties and at events, such as Fire & Ice, Pie Day and Discover Plymouth.

The City of Plymouth is in the process of developing a Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, which will outline goals, strategies and actions to examine and implement at a city level regarding climate action and community resilience. 

An effort that began in the summer of 2025, thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that will fund nearly half of the costs, the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan has been developed around three pillars – advancing equity, climate change mitigation, and increasing community resiliency. 

The plan will also have a greenhouse gas inventory, community climate vulnerability assessments, and an action and implementation plan. 

Proposed sections of the plan include: 

• Transportation
• Land use
• Buildings and energy
• Waste management
• Water, storm water, wastewater 
• Local food

Looking Ahead

The city worked with the consultant paleBLUEdot to complete baseline assessments, including the greenhouse gas inventory and climate vulnerability assessments, which were finalized at the end of 2025. Results will be available in January 2026 and can be viewed at plymouthmn.gov/climateplan.

An initial draft of the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan will be available in spring, with a final draft slated for completion in summer. The final plan will be reviewed by the Environmental Quality Committee, and will subsequently be sent to the City Council for final review and consideration for adoption.

Community Invited to Participate

A core component of plan development is community participation. As of January, the city has hosted a kick-off event, survey and a round of community engagement sessions. Two additional surveys and community engagement sessions are scheduled for February and May. Those interested are welcome to attend the sessions at a location that is most convenient for them, though attendance at multiple sessions is not necessary.

Events will be held 6-8:30 p.m. at four locations throughout the city:

• Plymouth Community Center’s Aspen Room (14800 34th Ave. N.)
  • Tuesday, Feb. 17
  • Tuesday, May 5
• Parkers Lake Park Building (15205 County Road 6)
  • Thursday, Feb. 19
  • Thursday, May 7
• Fire Station 1 (13205 County Road 6)
  • Tuesday, Feb. 24
  • Tuesday, May 12
• Bass Lake Park Building (5450 Northwest Blvd.)
  • Thursday, Feb. 26
  • Thursday, May 14

Note that session dates and locations are subject to change. Check plymouthmn.gov/climateplan for the latest information.

An effort that promotes community sustainability and resilience, and helps residents and businesses save on utility bills, the City of Plymouth recently launch a new Energy Action Plan geared towards saving energy and using cleaner energy sources. 

Officially adopted by the City Council in September, the initiative is a step toward broader climate planning and ensuring that the city is aligned with other peer cities and state goals. This community-led plan was developed through a series of planning workshops and surveys with residents, business owners, and energy utilities, and was hosted by Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy as a free offering to the city. 

The plan reflects the community's vision for a sustainable future and focuses on education and engagement with programs that can help meet the energy needs of all buildings and homes.

The plan offers opportunities for the community to benefit, with a specific focus on helping people reduce energy use and save money; increase energy efficiency in homes, businesses and multifamily buildings; and increase renewable energy support. 

Progress toward the goals and targets of the plan’s strategies will be measured each year to ensure successful implementation. 

For more information and to get involved, email Environmental Stewardship Coordinator MK Anderson at mkanderson@plymouthmn.gov. 

Home Energy Squad Assessments

Residents may take the first step in helping the city reach its goals with a home energy assessment from the Home Energy Squad. Home Energy Squad is offered by Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy, and delivered by Minnesota Center for Energy and Environment and ICF. 

The Home Energy Squad helps residents learn about energy-saving opportunities in their homes and installs needed low-cost energy saving materials. Residents can update drafty doors, thermostats, inefficient light bulbs and more. 

Free assessments are available to income-qualified households. To sign up, visit plymouthmn.gov/homeenergysquad.

Adopt A Hydrant

The Plymouth Fire Department asks residents to shovel a 3-foot radius around fire hydrants after a snowfall. Quick access to hydrants is crucial during a fire, as a fire engine’s water supply depletes rapidly. Shoveling around hydrants allows first responders to gain access to water faster during a fire and eliminates the need for firefighters to dig a hydrant out of the snow before it can be used during an emergency. For more information or to adopt a hydrant, visit plymouthmn.gov/adoptaspot.

Parking, Snow Removal

Residents are reminded of the winter parking ordinance, which prohibits parking on city streets after a 2-inch snowfall, until the street has been plowed curb-to-curb. Violators may be tagged and towed. Plymouth also has a year-round ordinance that prohibits parking on city streets 2-5 a.m. Visit plymouthmn.gov/snow to track snowplows on the Live Plymouth Plow Map, report issues, sign up for snow emergency alert emails and texts, and view more information about snow removal.

Tree Trimming

 The City of Plymouth hires a Tree Care Industry Association-accredited tree service each year to prune boulevard and park trees in select areas for street clearance and removal of hazardous and/or dead limbs.  

This year, Ostvig Tree, Inc. is slated to trim boulevard trees from February through March or April in the areas south of Highway 55 and east of Vicksburg Lane N. Residents who trim their own boulevard trees should contact City Forester Paul Buck at 763-509-5944
or pbuck@plymouthmn.gov so they can be noted in the tree inventory. Pruning of private trees is the responsibility of the respective property owners.

Pruning is recommended during dormancy, typically November through March, to avoid potential pest and disease problems. The city recommends residents utilize companies that have certified arborists on staff, as well as adequate insurance.

Plymouth residents who enjoy outdoor winter activities are encouraged to visit the city’s free outdoor ice rinks, warming houses and sledding hill this season. 

Residents should note that all dates and times listed below are subject to change based on weather and ice conditions.

Outdoor Ice Rinks and Warming Houses

Outdoor ice rinks and warming houses are staffed (except Bass Lake Playfield) and will be open to the public through Friday, Feb. 27, weather permitting. Lights are on from sunset until 10 p.m. daily. Plymouth’s five outdoor rinks include:

• LaCompte Playfield, 10795 Old County Road 15 
• Plymouth Creek Playfield, 3625 Fernbrook Lane
• The Meadows, 5805 Peony Lane N.
• Zachary Playfield, 4355 Zachary Lane
• Bass Lake Playfield, 5450 Northwest Blvd.

For more information, visit plymouthmn.gov/icerinks.

Sledding Hill at The Meadows

In addition to a skating rink and warming house – The Meadows, one of Plymouth’s most recently updated parks – also features the city’s first dedicated sledding hill. 

The community is invited to enjoy the sledding hill from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily. Participants must bring their own sleds.

Curbside Recycling

Curbside recycling collection will be one day late when the following holidays fall on a weekday (not on a weekend) on or before a scheduled collection day: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For details, visit plymouthmn.gov/recycling.

Drop-Off Days

Drop-Off Days are set for Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2 at the Plymouth Maintenance Facility, 14900 23rd Ave. N. The event offers opportunity to declutter and get rid of unwanted items. Visit plymouthmn.gov/dropoff in spring for more information.

Yard Waste Site

Opens Wednesday, April 1, weather permitting. The Yard Waste Site is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, Easter, Juneteenth, Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day, as well as May 1-2 for Drop-Off Days. For hours and accepted materials, visit plymouthmn.gov/yardwaste.

Recycling/Organics Drop-Off Site

Open daily, except May 1-2 for Drop-Off Days. The site is next to the Maintenance Facility and is available to residents and small businesses in Plymouth.

By Mayor Jeff Wosje

As we head into the new year with fresh ideas for continuous improvement, I am encouraged by the results of Plymouth’s most recent community survey. 

The National Community Survey, which Plymouth typically conducts every three years in partnership with Polco/the National Research Center, allows us to gather feedback and gauge resident satisfaction. Below are a few highlights from the 2025 results that showcase our community’s strengths. 

Quality of life remains top-notch in Plymouth. A total of 92% of residents rated the overall quality of life in Plymouth as excellent or good, and 96% of respondents rated Plymouth as either an excellent or good place to live, both of which were higher than the national benchmark. Additionally, 95% said they would recommend living in Plymouth to someone who asks.

Safety is both a top priority and rates extremely high. When asked to rank topics by importance, residents listed safety as their No. 2 priority. Unsurprisingly, nearly all respondents (94%) rated the overall feeling of safety in Plymouth as excellent or good, surpassing national and local benchmarks and marking a statistically significant increase from 2022 (84%). When asked how safe residents feel in their neighborhood during the day, 98% indicated that they feel either very or somewhat safe. 

Plymouth’s local economy/business community remains vibrant. A total of 91% rated Plymouth’s overall economic health as excellent or good, and 85% highly rated Plymouth as a place to work – both ratings were higher than national and local benchmarks. Additionally, 80% said Plymouth’s economic development services are excellent or good, which is higher than the national average.

I am proud to be mayor in a city that offers excellent quality of life, prioritizes the safety of its residents, and is bursting with innovative businesses and premier job opportunities. To view the full survey results, visit plymouthmn.gov/survey.