Category Archives: Neighborhood Features

Shoreview, Minnesota

9935610605_40fb85a4e0_cUpon crossing into its borders, it doesn’t take long to notice that Shoreview likes to take things a little bit more leisurely than its neighboring cities.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the Twin Cities, Shoreview’s welcoming atmosphere offers relaxation for residents and visitors. The city’s seven lakes provide spacious, scenic getaways to fish, boat and swim in peaceful settings. The 85 miles of uncongested park trails and sidewalks, nine city parks and three county parks also provide plenty of room for dog walking, jogging or an afternoon picnic. 9935652664_8699ddef31_c  Residents of Shoreview have also been known to rave about The Shoreview Community Center. Inside its doors waits a state-of-the-art facility where visitors can swim in a tropics-themed water park, run on the indoor track, get a workout in at the fitness center or have lunch at The Wave Café. The center also features an outdoor pavilion, meeting rooms and banquet center for hosting events like weddings or class reunions. Shoreview Parks and Recreation hosts a wide arrange of programs for all ages to keep healthy, active and engaged.  Plenty of activity can be found outdoors at the Community Center as well; from soccer, baseball and sand volleyball to skateboarding in the aptly-named, “Sweet Roll Park.” Those looking to play hockey or ice-skate will also stay busy in any season thanks to the Shoreview Ice Arena. 9935654074_6abcd4f599_cEvery Tuesday afternoon, residents of Shoreview flock to the community center to buy and sell produce at the local farmer’s market, a sustainable alternative to large grocery chain stores. At the farmer’s market, members of the community have the opportunity to mingle with their neighbors and try something new and healthy in a lively marketplace. Recently, the popularity and success of the farmer’s market prompted the community center to continue operations through the winter months, moving the market indoors and providing year-round local produce for shoppers. With sustainability on the mind of so many residents, it came as no surprise when The City of Shoreview was awarded the Blue Star Award for excellence in Community Storm Water Management. The award was given for the city’s efforts to protect the water quality of local lakes, streams and wetlands by conducting rigorous assessments of storm water management practices. Sh2 As far as dining goes, the German-themed Meister’s Bar and Grill has become a local staple over the years. The smoked-bacon topped Burgermeister comes highly recommended and would be a great pairing with one the many German beers on tap. The bar also hosts open-mic nights for hopeful comedians or those feeling inspired to share a funny story. Sh1

With a high rate of homeownership (around 84 percent) and the median home value at $249,000, it isn’t hard to see how invested the residents of Shoreview are in its city and each other. Another notable observation is the strong sense of pride found in many of Shoreview’s residents. One of these proud residents is Rotary Club member and retired school district worker, Richard Rademacher.  A devoted member of the community since 1956, Rademacher proudly spoke about an upcoming Rotary Club event to raise money to award a college scholarship to the Mounds View High School student with the best improved GPA from junior to senior year. Rademacher, a longtime resident of Shoreview, has lived in one of only three original houses on his now-full block since 1967. When asked what was so appealing about Shoreview, Rademacher cited the city’s close sense of community and the respectable people in his neighborhood. Rademacher, like many of Shoreview’s residents, has decided that Shoreview is the ideal destination for those looking for a quieter, family-orientated place to call home. With the open option of a 20 minute drive to downtown Minneapolis, Shoreview conveniently provides the perfect hiding place for those looking to find a quieter, peaceful, tight-knit community, offering an open invitation for those looking to reside within its borders.

Neighborhood Resources

Shoreview Schools

Faith Communities

 Roseville School District 623  St. Odilia Catholic
 Mounds View School District 621  Peace United Methodist
 Oakhill Montessori School  Incarnation Lutheran
 Emmet D. Williams Elementary School  Living Waters Lutheran
 Island Lake Elementary School  River of Life
 Turtle Lake Elementary School  Hope Christian
 St. Odilia School  Presbyterian Church of the Way
 Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran
 Ambassador Baptist
 Emmanuel Covenant
 New Life Evangelical Lutheran
 Rice Creek Covenant

Public Parks

Local Restaurants

 Bobby Theisen Park  Kozlak’s
 Bucher Park  Red Ginger’s China Bistro
 Lake Judy Park  Fresh Picked Pizza
 McCullough Park  Meister’s Bar and Grill
 Ponds Park
 Rice Creek Fields
 Shamrock Park
 Shoreview Commons
 Sitzer Park
 Wilson Park
  

Highland Park, St. Paul

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The Highland Park neighborhood finds itself in a natural oasis in the midst of a major American metropolis. Nestled in the junction of the Mighty Mississippi River and the Minnesota River, buffered by lush parks and trails, Highland Park boasts easy access to both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul as well as the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, a major hub for Delta Airlines.

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With more than its fair share of schools, including a university, Highland Park’s residents are well educated and enjoy a delicate balance of downtown living and natural beauty. Dwellings ranging from college housing to spectacular riverside homes occupy Highland Park’s residential blocks filled with people from all walks of life. Whether residents wish to enjoy a round of golf at Highland Park Golf Course or a casual dining experience at the Rusty Taco, the neighborhood has something for everyone. With a circus school, ice arena and Frisbee golf courses Highland Park is full of quirks and offbeat activities. Additionally, the area boasts one of the city’s largest dog parks where owners can let their pups run free off the leash with other dogs in an expansive 6.4 acre fenced-in area along the Mississippi River.

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Although there is easy access to all the downtown metro area has to offer, you’ll find that you won’t need to leave the shadow of the neighborhood clock tower to have a successful night out. Residents of Highland Park have a diverse selection of local restaurants to choose from, which include The Nook, Joan’s in the Park, and Cecil’s and afterwards catch a film at the Highland Cinema or try their hand at dancing in the Cinema Ballroom.

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In the heart of Highland Park’s commercial district The Chatterbox Pub is a small, family-owned restaurant chain that, simply put, does things differently. Serving a self-described “renaissance of American Home-style” to a loyal customer base, The Chatterbox Pub strives to create a comfortable and enjoyable family atmosphere. In addition to traditional booths and tables, the Chatterbox Pub provides laid-back seating where patrons can eat and drink while kicking back on comfortable couches and play classic videos games chock-full of 90’s nostalgia. Carefully selected ingredients from local vendors fill the Chatterbox kitchen where the culinary staff is constantly adapting the menu to reflect what’s fresh and in season. The bar hosts a wide array of over 150 bottled beers that include hard-to-find microbrews and are served by a staff well versed on the craft of brewing, making the Chatterbox a magnet for beer and cider connoisseurs.

IMGP6685Local events keep the community of Highland Park active and engaged, with Farmer’s Markets every Saturday during the summer and fall months, sports leagues and summer camps for students, and activities at Fort Snelling State Park. The Twin Cities Light Rail runs near Highland Park, with stations across the river at Fort Snelling and Minnehaha Park. This is an exciting growing point for the community, allowing residents to easily commute all over Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding suburbs. By promoting increased use of transportation, Highland Park hopes to reduce street traffic, while allowing the mainly residential neighborhood to keep its community-centered character.

0 Dog parkHighland Park is a community full of families from all walks of life. Their children attend Highland Park Senior High School and some go on to college such as St. Catherine’s. They read The Villager, St. Paul’s local newspaper. They walk their dogs on the trails along the Mississippi River, and they see movies on Cleveland Avenue. The residents of Highland Park live comfortably in a neighborhood that balances family life with a strong collegiate atmosphere.

 

Neighborhood Resources


Highland Park Schools

Faith Communities

Highland Elementary Adath Synagogue Inc
Horace Mann Jewish Community Center
Highland Junior High Sisters of St Joseph
Highland Park Senior High St Joseph Provincial House
Highland Catholic Saint Paul Area Council of Churches
Holy Spirit Catholic School
Saint Paul Academy
Cretin-Derham Hall High School
Homecroft Early Learning Center
College of St Catherine

Public Parks

Local Restaurants

Highland Park and Pavilion The Nook
Highland National Golf Course Cecils
Highland Nine Hole Golf Course Highland Grill
Crosby Park Joan’s In the Park
Watergate Marina Rusty Taco
Hidden Falls Park Sakana Sushi
The Ford Dam (Lock and Dam #1) Chatterbox Pub
Highland Park Aquatic Center Luci Ancora
Hillcrest Recreation Center Cleveland Wok
Charles M. Schultz Ice Arena Complex

Hopkins, Minnesota

Tucked into the western suburbs of Minneapolis, Hopkins has managed to capture a small town feel, despite being a short 15-minute commute to the metropolis of Minneapolis. This local charm combined with modern design and a youthful, upbeat energy has something to offer everyone. Whether it’s a diverse restaurant selection, activities for children, live music, a vibrant nightlife or boutique shopping, fun for all ages can be found on Main Street, which serves as the center for downtown Hopkins and provides a focal point for residents and visitors.

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In the quaint downtown Hopkins, new condominium developments coexist with a vibrant antique culture and rich local art scene. A clutter of five antique shops (Hopkins Antique Mall, Ann & Jacks Vintage Jewelry, Blake Antiques, Antiques on Mainstreet & Auntie M’s Antiques), restaurants ranging from Curry N’ Noodles to Samba Taste of Brazil, as well as art and community centers provide a diverse and enriching place to shop, eat, drink and be entertained. Peppered with provocative pieces of art on wide sidewalks, stroll through downtown Hopkins and you might hear live music being played late into the weekend evenings at Mainstreet Bar & Grill or the Wild Boar. During the day, entertainment can be found at the Mann Hopkin’s Cinema 6, weekly farmer’s markets held on Saturdays on 9th Street, The Depot Coffeehouse that features local music talent and the Stages Theatre, which included two performance spaces, a dance studio, an art gallery, and an art classroom.

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The Hopkins community hosts a wide range of events and festivals throughout the year highlighting the importance of local art and produce. The weekly farmer’s market is held from June to October, where locals gather under the downtown clock tower to buy and sell local produce while promoting a healthy and sustainable community. The Raspberry Festival, an annual event founded during the Great Depression and held in July, has become one of the most highly anticipated gatherings each year in Hopkins. The festival hosts a stunning variety of events including sports tournaments in Central Park, art showcases, the Flat City Bike Race, activities for families, parades down Mainstreet, dances at the Hopkins Community Center, live music at Downtown Park, blood drives, open houses, the Hopkins Lions Club Beer Fest, fireworks at Central Park, and even a pig roast hosted by the Hopkins VFW.

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Often serving as a centerpiece for local festivals and events, the solar panel topped Depot Coffeehouse acts as a venue for amateur musicians looking to perform in a safe and welcoming environment. The Depot Coffeehouse is also a central meeting place for cyclists throughout the Twin Cities due to residing where three major bike trails converge, making it the perfect place to regroup and refresh before heading downtown, to the lakes or deeper into the western suburbs.
Residents of Hopkins, in a study published in 2013, boasted about their city, noting that they enjoy living in Hopkins because of the small town feel (39% of residents) and its convenient location (21% of residents) with access to Minneapolis/St. Paul. The small town atmosphere in Hopkins can be attributed to its thriving youth programs, which range from art classes, to drama clubs, to language immersion programs, to math and science camps. Hopkins also has many prosperous little league programs, and the younger residents can be seen playing in football, volleyball, fencing, cross country, soccer, dance and kung-fu league programs in the many parks found in Hopkins, including Maetzold, Burnes, Harley Hopkins, Valley and Buffer Park.

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First-rate schools and adult education is also a major source of pride for Hopkins. With access to eight public schools, two charter schools and six private schools, the city serves as an outstanding source of learning and growth. Hopkins also boasts a healthy religious community, with thirteen congregations spread throughout the city, supplying a spiritual outlet and religious teachings for faiths of all kinds.

Hopkins has a lot to be proud of – safe neighborhoods, good schools, a centrally located downtown area, extensive nature trails, parks, and a happening nightlife. It is the ideal place for a young family to raise children in or an elderly couple to retire to. Close enough to downtown for easy access and far enough away to maintain its small town integrity, Hopkins has truly found the sweet spot in the Twin Cities suburbs where residents are hopeful for the future and welcoming to new neighbors.

Neighborhood Resources


Hopkins Schools


Faith Communities

Alice Smith Elementary Church of St. Joseph
Eisenhower Elementary Church of the Cross
Gatewood Elementary Cross of Glory Church
Glen Lake Elementary Emmaus Road
Harley Hopkins Family Center Faith Presbyterian Church of Minnetonka
L. H. Tanglen Elementary Gethsemane Lutheran Church
Meadowbrook Elementary Grace Ministries Fellowship
XinXing Academy Korean Evangelical United Methodist Church
Hopkins North Junior High Lutheran Community of Grace
Hopkins West Junior High Mizpah United Church of Christ
Hopkins High School Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
International Spanish Language Academy (ISLA) St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
Main Street School for Performing Arts West Oaks Community Church
The Blake School Zion Lutheran Church
Hopkins Montessori School
KinderRead Montessori School
Sleepy Tigers Chinese Immersion Preschool
St. John’s Catholic School

Public Parks


Local Restaurants

Buffer Park Hopkins Tavern
Burnes Park Aji Japanese Restaurant
Central Park Star Wok
Cottageville Park Big 10 Restaurant
Downtown Park Curry N’ Noodles
Elmo Park Samba Taste of Brazil
Harley Hopkins Park Mainstreet Bar & Grill
Hilltop Park Wild Boar
Interlachen Park The Depot Coffeehouse
Maetzold Field
Oakes Park
Oasis Park
Overpass Skate Park
Park Valley Playground
Shady Oak Beach
Valley Park

Neighborhood Statistics

Hopkins Stats2223333