Take a Walk: Thompson Oaks Boardwalk

We love seeing small businesses and other organizations getting work done at Evolve Workplace. As much as we love coworking success here in the Twin Cities, an important part of an effective and productive team is taking appropriate breaks to recharge. There’s a great new amenity for that just steps from Evolve Workplace.

Thompson Oaks Boardwalk

Dakota County recently opened the Thompson Oaks boardwalk bridge directly across the street from Evolve Workplace in West St. Paul. It’s an incredible location to take a walk and get refreshed and recharged.

  • What’s there: Walking trails, ponds, a creek, and lots of birds. The ponds handle 25% of West St. Paul’s stormwater, filtering out contaminants and sediment as the water makes its way to the Mississippi. 

  • How long: The main loop across the bridge and around the pond by the library is about half a mile. You can add another third of a mile by doing the loop to the east around the daylighted creek.

  • How to get there: Wentworth Avenue can be a busy road to cross, so the safest approach is to head west to the pedestrian crosswalk at Marthaler Lane. You can see the bridge from there.

  • More: The bridge is part of the River-to-River Greenway Trail and gives you access to all kinds of nearby amenities, including Thompson Park, Wentworth Library, the Charlton Tunnel mural, Dodge Nature Center, and more.

So next time you need to re-energize, head across the street and walk the Thompson Oaks boardwalk.

Business Benefits of Taking a Walk

CEO Magazine called walking “a superpower in the workplace” in an article by Coastrek founder and CEO Di Westaway. She argues for the transformative power of a good walk:

  • More creative: Walking can increase your creative output by 60%.

  • Healthy: Walking 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk of all kinds of ailments by 50% (heart disease, obesity, diabetes, stroke, anxiety, depression, and more). 

  • Better work: Walking improves circulation, boosts your immune system, and releases endorphins. All of that leads to higher energy, improved concentration, greater creativity, less stress, and more.

Walking Work Day

OK, sure, a walk is good for you. But who has time for that? Here are a few tips for working walking into your work day:

  1. Meet & walk: Instead of sitting across the table for your next meeting, go for a walk together. It clears away distractions and fuels conversation.

  2. Group walks: A group walk can be a powerful way to break down barriers and build a stronger team. 

  3. Thinking walks: Next time you have a complex challenge or difficult problem to solve, go for a walk. It’s amazing how solutions present themselves.

We love seeing work happen at Evolve Workplace, even if it means taking a walk.

David Lundy