Mound

Twenty miles west of Minneapolis, you’ll find the magical, magnetic city of Mound, situated on the scenic shores of lovely, lush Lake Minnetonka. “We’re a small-town, close-knit, lake-oriented community that feels secluded and safe while being just 30 minutes away from Minneapolis,” says Mound Mayor Jason Holt. “Everybody is very close, and everywhere you go, people know each other.” Surrounded by lakes, bays, and mature tree growth, the natural scenic beauty of the city cannot be overstated. Outdoor opportunities abound in his flourishing luxury community that promises 637 public dock sites and 32 parks in just over three square miles.

Incorporated as a city in 1912, Mound was named for the pre-historic Indian mounds once found within present city limits. In more modern times, Mound is known eternally as the birthplace of Tonka Toys, a company famous for toy trucks that derived its name from a Dakota tribe word that means “big.” Originally imagined as a gardening tool manufacturer, Mound Metalcraft pivoted and changed its name to Tonka Toys Incorporated in 1955. The company left in 1982 to address additional production needs. “Being the birthplace of Tonka Toys is our claim to fame,” Holt says.

One of the more reasonably priced communities around Lake Minnetonka, the real estate market in Mound is very competitive, so buyers must act quickly on well-priced properties, which tend to fly off the market. “We’re more accessible from a price point than some of the other cities on the lake,” Holt says. “It’s very diverse because you’ve got the expensive estates on the lake, but then there is very affordable housing across the street.” Prices run the gamut in Mound, but the 12-month median price was about $370,000 in October 2023. Most of the listings are in the $300,000 to $600,000 range, but home prices on the water can climb upwards of $2.5 million.

“The town is over 100 years old, so there is some classic architecture, but most of the homes were built in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s,” Holt says. There is a diversity of housing in Mound, with pockets of condos and town houses that have been developed in recent years. There are even options for empty nesters and seniors looking to age in place. The Mound Harbor senior community co-op, called Artessa locally, is currently under construction for those 62 and older looking for a stylish lakeside home teeming with activities and amenities. “If everything comes together, the co-op will be completed in August 2024,” Holt says.

Families with children are served by the Westonka Public School District, which has an overall grade of A from Niche and is considered one of the districts with the best teachers in Minnesota. “This is an award-winning district with a very small teacher-to-student ratio,” Holt says. “The school district is a big part of what attracts people to our town.” Students can start their education at Shirley Hills Primary School, which gets an A- from Niche. Boasting superior art classes, the school’s ever-changing art gallery displays student masterpieces.

With an A grade from Niche, Grandview Middle School, seventh-grade students learn leadership capacity by serving as mentors to the ascending fifth graders as they transition schools. Often ranked as one of the best public high schools in the country, Mound Westonka High School has premier facilities. Following a $23 million bond referendum in 2016, the Westonka Activity Center and the Westonka Performing Arts Center were added to the campus. For the 2022-23 school year, a total of 41 students from the school earned AP Scholar Awards for their exceptional achievement on the AP exams. “They also have a great football program,” Holt says.

Commerce Boulevard near Langdon Lake is the beating commercial heart of this otherwise residential community. “There was some redevelopment in the mid-2000s, but for a while, it was stagnant,” Holt says. “But it’s come alive again in recent years, and we’re demonstrating that there’s room for growth.”

For stocking up on groceries and essentials, Jubilee Foods is a one-stop shop for fresh produce, prepared foods and friendly service with a smile. “Good people run it, and it’s got everything you need,” Holt says. There are several independent dining destinations in town, including Casa Amigos. “They’re a locally owned group with a few locations, and they have literally the best chips and salsa you can find at any Mexican restaurant anywhere,” Holt says. Simple and humble, Dakota Junction serves eclectic American dishes featuring local ingredients inside the old Mound Depot train building. Surfside Bar and Grill is a popular sports bar hangout with outdoor seating. “The owner is working there every day, and they have really good food,” Holt says.

A nature lover’s dream, a meticulously manicured Mound puts special emphasis on cultivating outdoor amenities for its residents to enjoy year-round. “Surfside Park on Cooks Bay is our standout community park and is where we have our Spirit of the Lake Festival every July,” Holt says. “It’s a three-day festival with food trucks, live bands, a parade and wakesurfing on Lake Minnetonka, and the whole town shows up.” The park’s sandy beach is clean, and the water is clear, making it the perfect place for a summer swim. The waterfront playground at Surfside has a sandy base and is fun for kids of all ages. “In addition to our many established community parks, a new park is soon to be under construction near the site of the senior co-op,” Holt says. “It’s going to be a good amount of that downtown area that will be a public gathering space.”

Written By

Jessica Haddad

Photography Contributed By

Sienna Lee