08/01/2026
What a difference a year makes, Wayzata!
A year ago, we stood together to break ground on a vision. Today, I had the honor of participating in the ribbon cutting to open these doors and celebrate what happens when a community invests in hope, healing, and human potential.
The Retreat MN roots run deep in Wayzata. From its origins as the Greenridge Estate in 1934 to its time with the Cenacle Sisters as a Catholic retreat center , this land has always been a sanctuary. When transition neared in the early 2000s, The Retreat led the way in creating a public-private partnership with the Trust for Public Land and the citizens of Wayzata stepped up, approving a $3 million bond referendum to permanently preserve these forested acres as public conservation land.
Those towering maples, oaks, elms, and basswoods surrounding us aren’t just a backdrop. Nature has a profound, restorative power, and the quiet embrace of our historic Big Woods plays a vital role in healing the mind, body, and spirit. If you haven’t recently, I encourage you to walk these trails and experience the peaceful renewal this land offers.
This moment also marks a significant leadership transition:
To John Curtiss: On your retirement, thank you for your decades of visionary leadership. Your impact on the global recovery community, the City of Wayzata, and me personally is immense.
To Patrick Flanagan: As new leadership steps in under my friend Patrick, I know The Retreat is in wonderful hands for this next chapter.
A year ago, we turned soil with shovels. Today, we celebrate expanded capacity for hope, restored lives, and stronger families right here in Wayzata. Congratulations to everyone who made this day possible! The Retreat and surrounding Big Woods are a Wayzata TREASURE!
