Highway access, shopping and fishing in Spring Lake Park
Major highways converge in Spring Lake Park, a suburb about 12 miles north of Minneapolis. “It’s a bedroom community with good freeway access, which is one of the draws,” says Laura Heppner, a Realtor with Keller Williams Classic Realty who has 14 years of experience in the region. While many residents commute to the Twin Cities, opportunities are also available closer to home. “The hospital there, Mercy, has a good reputation and provides a lot of jobs.” Locals also have access to shopping centers and parks centered on lakes, like the small fishing lake that gives the area its name.
Split-level and ranch-style homes date to the 1950s and ’60s
Most homes in Spring Lake Park are single-family builds dating to the 1950s and ’60s, with a few condos and townhouses in the mix. Condos, townhouses and small ranch-style homes sell for $175,000 to $350,000, while raised ranches and larger single-story homes can fetch $350,000 to $450,000. Properties typically measure under a quarter of an acre, with mature trees shading the yards. Streets are wide enough for two cars, but most lack sidewalks. Attached garages are common, which is convenient given the Twin Cities’ high risk of hail and ice storms. Traffic noise could affect homes near the major highways.
Highways and Metro Transit buses connect to Minneapolis
Mercy Hospital–Unity Campus is across Osborne Road Northeast, within walking distance of some homes. Minnesota County Highway 10 cuts through the city and intersects with State Highway 65, which offers a direct line to Minneapolis, about 12 miles away. State Highway 47 runs along the western edge to provide an alternate route. Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) buses shuttle commuters around the suburban areas, and Metro Transit bus routes connect to Central Minneapolis. Travelers have a 23-mile ride to Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport.
Dining and retail near Highways 65 and 10
Most commercial activity is concentrated around the intersection of Highways 65 and 10. Chain restaurants like Starbucks, McDonald’s and Pizza Hut can be found near the Hy-Vee grocery store, and The Sunset Grill is a lakeside spot serving classic pub food and daily specials, including a Friday fish fry. Beer lovers should appreciate the wide selection of brews on tap at Torg Brewery. Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop hits the nostalgia button with a vast selection of sweet treats and glass-bottled sodas. Across Highway 10, Northtown Mall draws shoppers with retailers like Burlington, Famous Footwear and The Home Depot. Walmart Supercenter and Sam’s Club are south of the mall along Highway 47. “The location is nice because there’s a lot of good shopping there,” Heppner says.
Pathways program at Spring Lake Park High School
Students can start at Park Terrace Elementary School, which receives a Niche grade of C-plus. Westwood Intermediate School receives a B, followed by Westwood Middle School, also rated B. B-rated Spring Lake Park High School offers a Pathways program to provide students with on-the-job experience before graduation.
Fishing and hiking at lakeside parks
Lakeside Lions Park sits next to Spring Lake in the southeastern corner of town. A fishing dock lets anglers cast lines for bullhead, crappie and bass, while the nearby playground keeps kids occupied. Exercise trails at Laddie Lake Park wind through wooded areas and along the lakeshore, another popular fishing spot. Skaters can practice on the ramps at Terrace Park, which also features ball courts, a playground and plenty of green space. The Spring Lake Park water tower stands over the baseball field, basketball court, playground and picnic areas at Able Park.
Tower Days celebration commemorates a local landmark
The city’s landmark water tower received a patriotic paint job to celebrate the U.S. bicentennial in 1976. Since then, residents have gathered every year in June for the Tower Days festival, a two-day celebration at Lakeside Lions Park featuring live music, fireworks, a beer garden, food trucks, lumberjack shows and kids' activities.
