Forging community connections at Eden Prairie’s Night to Unite

Neighborhoods across Eden Prairie gathered Tuesday night to celebrate the annual Night to Unite with food, friends and fundraising for PROP Food Shelf, with city officials partaking in the festivities.

Mayor Ron Case, joined by Council Member PG Narayanan and police Lt. Jen Ficcadenti, visited five of the 159 celebrations held across the city to join the fun and connect with residents.

After a kickoff dinner at Fire Station 1, the group began their visits in the Weston Woods neighborhood, where Case greeted partygoers warmly and thanked residents for the invitation. During the gathering, neighbors enjoyed food from the El Burrito Mercado food truck and collected donations for PROP.

Case opened the floor for questions at each party to address residents’ concerns about city issues. Residents asked about the Metro Green Line Extension, road construction and safety on neighborhood streets.

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Moving along to Hennepin Village, the flashing lights on Ficcadenti’s unmarked police vehicle greeted residents. While partygoers mingled with neighbors, kids bounced in an inflatable and enjoyed Domino’s pizza.

Ruchi Giri enjoyed pizza with her daughter, Kiyara Giri, and said she valued the opportunity to connect with neighbors.

Later in the evening, Case, Narayanan and Ficcadenti stopped by Hawthorne Drive, where they were greeted by kids playing and energetic conversations among neighbors.

Case and Narayanan chatted with residents, while Ficcadenti handed out police badge stickers to kids in the neighborhood.

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Nicole Smerillo and her daughter Molly said they enjoyed attending the party to connect with neighbors and take in the summer weather. Even after living in the neighborhood since 2017, they said they still meet new people who’ve been there just as long.

Before the mayor stopped by the Wynnfield North neighborhood, members of the fire department stopped by with a firetruck. 

Scott and Megan Bartolo sat on the curb with their son, Eddie, as he dried off from the firehose. Megan said her son enjoyed the fire department’s visit, which was the highlight of the night for them.

The last stop of the night was on Cimarron Lane, where neighbors enjoyed a potluck dinner and chatted with one another. After giving a brief speech and answering questions, Case chatted with partygoers before heading to his own neighborhood’s gathering

On the way back to Fire Station 1, Case said events like Night to Unite matter to the community because they allow neighbors to build relationships. He added that the celebration also helps law enforcement become a more familiar and comfortable presence in the city.

Case said there is a good amount of Eden Prairie pride in the community. Being able to get out and celebrate neighborhood connections and law enforcement, he added, helps reinforce that pride.