Suburban-living along the Mississippi River
Hugging the twists and turns of the Mississippi River, Champlin offers a tranquil suburban lifestyle with a highly-ranked school district and a robust park system nearby. Only 20 miles northwest of Minneapolis, the area is popular with professionals attracted by an easy commute downtown and families looking for outdoor amenities and solid schools. “People coming here are attracted to the lifestyle; they want peace and quiet and safety, and you have that here,” says long-time local Realtor Jeff Shuman of Edina Realty. Aside from the notable school district and commuter convenience, Champlin offers a strong sense of community upheld through local shops like Lilac Boutique, family-owned businesses like Elm Creek Brewing and annual events like the Summer Stage Series. And with immediate access to Jefferson Highway, commuting to the Twin Cities is only a 25-minute drive from this riverfront suburbia.
Stroll along the river at Mississippi Point Park
In a typical Minnesota fashion, Champlin is home to many parks. The city has approximately 300 acres of parkland at 32 locations. During the warmer months, children can cool off in the splash pad at Andrews Park, while parents prepare on-the-go lunch under the shaded pavilion. Mississippi Point Park is part of a $100 million development project aimed at opening up river access and adding greenery. The park features an amphitheater and paved paths along the river. Watersport enthusiasts can rent pontoon boats here, while boat owners can dock here from May through October. The Mississippi Crossings Event Center is also located here, hosting events like the Summer Stage Series and Champlin Farmers Market. Residents can visit the 800-acre Elm Creek Park Reserve for a variety of outdoor activities, from biking and hiking to spotting native wildlife like bluebirds and sandhill cranes. The park is owned and maintained by Hennepin County Parks, featuring both a Winter Recreation Area and the Eastman Nature Center.
Riverfront ramblers and new construction
The real estate market in Champlin is highly competitive. “In terms of demand, the Twin Cities is about as strong as it gets, and Champlin is no different,” Shuman says. Housing development in Champlin started prior to 1939, but it really revved up in the 70s and continues today. Champlin features a variety of home styles ranging from single-story ranch styles to newly constructed Craftsman and multi-family townhouses. Single family homes dominate the area, with pockets of townhouses that have popped up along Jefferson Highway. With a median sales price of $360,000, homes here range from the low $200,000s for a two-bedroom ranch style fixer-upper to upwards of $1 Million for a 5-bedroom riverfront Craftsman. Homes neighboring the Mississippi River are subject to increased price points here. Newer construction has become the norm, with nearly 2,000 homes constructed since 2000. The Preserve at Elm Creek is one of the newest planned communities, offering luxury living on scenic, heavily wooded, 1-acre lots with panoramic views. Neighborhood amenities include walking trails, areas for workouts and picnics and a well-appointed playground. Homes here often feature long paved driveways and attached multi-car garages and are fronted by large lawn spaces with enough room for trees and gardening.
Summer Stage Series at Mississippi Crossings
During the summer months, locals gather at Mississippi Crossings along the banks of the Mississippi River for the Summer Stage Series. The event is hosted every Thursday from June through August. Residents can enjoy free live music performances and food trucks with riverfront views. The Champlin Farmers Market is also held at Mississippi Crossings in the parking lot on Tuesdays from mid-July to October. Neighbors can stock up on fresh produce or flowers and support local businesses within the community.
Shopping along Jefferson Highway
Residents can shop along Jefferson Highway for a variety of grocers and department stores, like Target, Aldi and Walgreens. Travel South a few blocks into Champlin’s main business district, teeming with local attractions like Mann Theatres and shops like Lilac Boutique. While Riverdale Village 3 miles across the Anoka-Champlin Bridge offers name-brand stores like Kohl’s, T.J. Maxx and The Home Depot minutes from the community. When dining in the area, locals can visit Pour Wine Bar & Bistro for a wide variety of wine and spirits in a relaxed dining atmosphere. And head to Clive's Roadhouse for bar bites and a classic all-American meal. Or check out the family-owned Elm Creek Brewing Co. for brewed beer and game nights for trivia and Bingo. Visitors can expect an industrial concept with ample room for dog owners to bring four-legged friends into the taproom. And stop by Cullens Ice Cream on The River for a selection of 48 flavors of ice cream and tranquil views of the Mississippi River.
High-marks at Anoka-Hennepin Schools
Students in Champlin can attend schools like Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy, Jackson Middle and Champlin Park High School, which have respectively earned ratings of B-plus, B-plus and A-minus from the educational review site, Niche. Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy serves kindergarten through Grade 5 and is recognized as a public magnet school focused on its STEM program with a variety of math and science opportunities. Jackson Middle School offers a wide range of electives in subjects like consumer science, world languages and industrial technology. Champlin Park High School offers Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), which incorporates college courses taught by college faculty on local university campuses. Private options like St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School and St. Stephen's Catholic School are also available. For higher education, students can look to nearby Rasmussen University - Hennepin/Anoka, only 6 miles from the community.
Nearby healthcare and commutes into Minneapolis on I-94
Residents in Champlin rely on Jefferson Highway for access to neighboring areas like Osseo and Coon Rapids or commuting into downtown Minneapolis on U.S. Interstate-94. Those interested in public transportation options can visit Richardson Park & Ride and hop on Metro Transit Route 14, which operates along West River Road and provides trips into Minneapolis every hour. When traveling further outside the community, Champlin is 34 miles from Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport. For healthcare, Mercy Hospital 3 miles away in neighboring Coon Rapids.
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Karels
