March 2009

Lake Of The Isles MN

If you are looking for a great place to do a little winter ice skating and hockey then Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, Minnesota is the place for you to be. This lake minneapolis is connected to Lake Calhoun and Cedar Lake. But this lake is known for more then just a great place to kick back and do a little relaxation, it is also known as a party place for that one Holiday a year where millions of people will stand out in the freezing cold just waiting for the clock to strike twelve. That’s right, Lake of the Isles is known for their New Year’s Eve celebration where tons of marshmallows are roasted and where hot chocolate is served.

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But it was not until the early twentieth century that the lake was created into its current state. Dredging of a small lake and marsh area was done to create the lake that many people see and know today. The materials left over from the dredging were used to form about thirty-six of land, which would be a park around the lake. These materials were nothing more then mostly silt and peat. It was a good idea to use these left over materials and try to put them to good use. Why just throw it all out when it can be put to good use? While it seems like a good idea at the time, this material was not the most durable to use and it has created an unstable shoreline and the water quality is not as good as it should be. Because of this the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has started and is in the middle of a project that is going to last for several years. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is trying to renovate the parkland due to damage caused by the 1997 flood and the 1998 windstorm. They will also stabilize the shoreline, and also point in twelve stone lake points of access. Paths will be reconstructed as well. Basically, the entire park is looking at getting a large facelift. It will be basically brand new and completely improved by the time everything is said and done. But even with all of that going on, it is no surprise that this lake is full of entertaining things as it has an area of 109 acres and a shoreline length of 2.86 miles. There are an average of 5.5 million visitors each year to the park who enjoy all aspects of the beauty of the lake and the surrounding land. The lake itself is 31 feet in depth at its deepest point, which means it is a great place for many types of water sports. As the name, Lake of the Isles, would portray, there are little islands in the middle of the lake. In fact, there are two wooded islands along with a long extended north arm. There are many stately houses in the neighborhoods of Kenwood, Lowry Hill, and East Isles. All of these little neighborhoods with lake of the isles homes surround the lake. If you are thinking of exploring the two wooded islands in the middle of the lake you will find that it is prohibited which is clearly marked by several signs. On these islands are protected wildlife and virgin woods. The island to the north of the lake is called Mike’s Island and the one to the south is called Raspberry Island. While they are beautiful to view from a distance, that is about as good as it will get for those interested in exploring those islands. There is truly a little bit of something for everyone at the lake of the isles. The park land surrounding the lake has enough room for walking and running trials. There is also plenty of space to throw a Frisbee around, have a little mid-day picnic or to spread out a blanket and soak in some of the sun. There is even an off-lease dog park, which is located at the south end of the park. This is a great solution for those who want to give their dog something to enjoy while on vacation. With so many leash laws out there, it is nice to know that this park still takes into consideration all of their visitors, not just the human ones. Maybe you live in a lake of the isles home nearby and never found yourself yet exploring the wonders of lake minneapolis. Maybe you are just looking for a nice place to visit for a weekend getaway with your family. In either case, you should look into visiting the historic Lake of the Isles. You will find many things to do and will enjoy seeing the lake and park surroundings in the state they are in now compared to what you will later see in a few years. With so much going on in the world, it is sometimes nice to sit back and enjoy the beauty of nature. Getting involved in history, by seeing the “before and after” of lake of the isles will be something to talk about and remember for many years to come. Take pictures, enjoy the scenery, and just imagine how wonderful the park and lake will be once all of the reconstruction is finally completed.

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Lake Harriet, Lake Nokomis and Lake of the Isles

If you ask residents of Minneapolis what sets their city apart from other major metropolitan areas, you will quickly learn about the extensive lake system that runs through the southern part of the city. Though you can easily find the urban lifestyle and towering skyline in downtown Minneapolis, the lakes offer a terrific alternative for those who prefer the solace and beauty of living near water. Between Lake Harriet, Lake Nokomis, and the Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis offers a tremendous amount of outdoor recreational opportunities, and with plenty of available and affordable real estate nearby, the time has never been better to finally invest in your dream lakefront home.

The lakes are connected as part of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, an elaborate system of trails and bike paths that are widely popular for exercise and recreational walks. Lake Harriet connects with Lake Calhoun on its north end through the William Berry Parkway. Harriet is home to two beaches, which many take advantage of during the summer months, as well as its famous castle-shaped bandshell. From June to September each year, the bandshell hosts concerts nightly, offering an eclectic assortment of music from big band to bluegrass to rock and roll. The Minneapolis Pops Orchestra makes its summer home here, offering a blend of popular and traditional music each Saturday. Additionally, Lake Harriet contains a brand new picnic shelter, tennis courts and fishing docks, so there are plenty of outdoor activities to indulge in.

On the other side of Lake Calhoun is the Lake of the Isles. Restored by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board in the early 1900’s, the Isles has been transformed from a shallow lake and marsh area into one of the most majestic lakes the city has to offer. In addition to its summer offerings, this lake is one of the most winter-friendly, offering an ice skating and hockey rink. In warmer weather, its bike paths, soccer field and fishing docks are very popular.

For those especially interested in fishing, Lake Nokomis offers some of the richest waters for fishermen in the entire state, with many game fish found here. Along with Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun, it is one of the three lakes used for sailing, and is one of the hosts for the popular Aquatennial, an annual celebration of Minneapolis’ aquatic tradition, featuring shows and competitions that draw large audiences. Nokomis is also a popular sporting lake, with fields available for football, baseball, softball, soccer and tennis.

Some of the most beautiful architecture in all of Minneapolis real estate can be found near the lakes. Many large single-family and multi-story homes and condominiums boast luxurious porches and balconies with a beautiful view of the water. If you are lucky enough to own a boat, there are plenty of homes with a large enough area to accommodate you with easy convenient access to many of the lakes’ boating docks. With the real estate market currently in favor of those seeking to buy, the time has never been better to locate the home of your dreams at a reasonable price. If you are more interested in renting, there are scores of apartments and duplexes for rent immediately near the lakes, as well as in the Uptown district, which is well within easy walking distance to the lakes and trails. I strongly encourage you to contact me to set up an appointment; I am confident that I can find a home that suits your own, as well as your family’s needs.

For your convenience, we are a fully cooperating member of the Twin Cities real estate community. The multiple listing service, or MLS, allows all member agents to view what is available in the market so you don’t feel compelled to go with an agent you are not comfortable with. So regardless of the company sign in the yard, please feel free to give me a call to arrange an appointment to view a home that you are interested in. Our website contains many helpful tools to get you started on your journey today, including mortgage rate calculators, mortgage rate quotes, and online mortgage applications. If you would like to browse for yourself, check out our Search Online Now! application. This will grant you access to all of the homes currently available through our multiple listing service.

If you are looking to relocate to Minnesota, I will be happy to help you out with our relocation package and guide. I, as well as many of my clients, are relocation specialists, and depending on your situation, there are various employee and corporate relocation packages available. Many of us own rental property ourselves as well and would be happy to assist you in finding a rental, or to arrange a tour with you to acclimate you with the area. Please check my website as well for our convenient relocation salary calculator and other relocation services.

I’m extremely familiar with the area and have lived in the Twin Cities my entire life. When making an important life decision, such as relocating and/or purchasing a home, it is important to have someone on your side to give you honesty and expertise. I strongly encourage you to contact me with any questions you have or to set up an appointment. I look forward to working with you.

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Twin Cities Lakes

The Twin Cities is a beautiful area. It’s also an area that has quite a bit of water around. Of course the cities are divided by the great Mississippi River, but there are a variety of different lakes that are in the area as well. There is a chain of lakes in the area, and there are five different lakes that are quite popular. Some of them include parks and recreational opportunities as well. The names of the five lakes include Lake Calhoun, Lake Nokomis, Lake of the Isles, Lake Harriet, and Lake Hiawatha. Here’s a closer look at these lakes and what they have to offer those in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul areas.

Lake Calhoun

You’ll find that Lake Calhoun is one of the lakes that makes up the Chain of Lakes in the area. It is a very popular place for a variety of different activities, including swimming, fishing, walking, roller skating, jogging, wind surfing, sailing, and even canoeing. It’s about 3.2 miles around the entire lake, great for people who want to run, walk, or cycle. There are also three beaches that are supervised on the lake as well. You can rent watercraft on the lake by going through the Wheel Fun Rentals company right there. There are also gondola services available as well. Right on the lake you’ll even find that there is a nice restaurant – the Tinfish Restaurant. Over the past 100 years, there have been quite a few great improvements to the area. Originally this lake was known as the Lake of the Loons, “Lake Medoza.” However, the name was changed to honor John Caldwell Calhoun, who was a United States Senator, then later Vice President serving with President Monroe.

Lake Nokomis

Another lake you’ll find in the Minneapolis park system is Lake Nokomis. This is a sailing lake, just like Lake Calhoun. The park along the lake offers a community center, ball diamonds for baseball, concessions, canoe racks, sailboat racks, paths to walk, and two different beaches that are well supervised as well. They now offer a special playground system that allows kids between the ages of five and twelve to play. This system is made to help kids become more agile, to help with coordination and balance, and to help with strength in the upper body as well. During the warm months, often there are sailboat races on the lake and people can rent watercraft as well.

Lake of the Isles

The Lake of the Isles is another lake that happens to be a part of the Chain of Lakes as well. Millions of people end up visiting these lakes every single year. People come to bike, picnic, enjoy the scenery, bike, canoe, and more. During the winter months, many people come to this lake to go ice skating. There is a dog park located by the lake as well where people can bring their dogs to enjoy some time out and about. This lake was engineered, and was made in the early 20th century. It was originally a very shallow lake but it was turned into a wonderful lake and a beautiful park as well. The area has been renovated and turned into a lovely park. Wetlands have been enhanced, the plants have been restored, and paths have been reconstructed. It is definitely a lovely place to enjoy if you love the water.

Lake Harriet

Lake Harried is part of the chain of lakes and is very picturesque. There are 344 acres that are all water, as well as 67 land acres in the park as well. This lake is known for the great walking and biking trails, and many different water based activities take place. In the band shell located by the lake, various summer concerts take place as well. This is the 5th music facility to be put in this area. The first one that was built back in 1888 ended up being totally destroyed in a terrible fire. The trailers for skaters, bikers, and runners are almost three miles long. There is a small totlot available as well for young children. You’ll also find a concession building available and a well available where you can get water.

Lake Hiawatha

Last of all is Lake Hiawatha. This lake is beautiful and the park around it has beautiful trees to enjoy. The entire park is 234 acres, although the lake is only 52 acres large. Over the years this has been taken from a swamp to be a beautiful park that people in the area can enjoy. Some of the improvements that have been done in the past few years include adding boulders, ornamental trees, perennials, shrubs, and a special flagstone path as well. There is a playground that takes up eight acres, there is a beach, athletic fields, and even tennis courts. On one side of the lake there is a special golf learning center and a golf side as well.

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Twin Cities Minnesota

Interested in visiting the state of Minnesota? If so, you definitely won’t want to miss taking the time to visit the twin cities. These cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis are two of the biggest and most visited cities in the entire state. So, you definitely won’t want to miss them. Of course there are those that are not entirely familiar with these cities, their long history, and how exciting they can be. Here’s a closer look at these two cities, what defines them, their history, and the cities as they are today.

The Twin Cities

So, you may be wondering what exactly the twin cities refers to. Well, the “twin cities” are comprised of the huge metro areas of both Minneapolis and St. Paul. Between the two cities there are many sporting events, cultural productions, and many different avenues of entertainment as well. Both of the cities in MN have many different museums that people can tour as well. The two cities come together and definitely make up a huge metro area that includes many things to do, for visitors and locals alike.

Separated by the Mississippi River

There is one thing that basically sets the twin cities apart – the Mississippi river. This river runs right in between the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Not only is the river the divider between the two cities in Minnesota, but the river is also a place where a huge amount of recreational activity takes place as well. Even the history of the two cities is based around the river, so the Mississippi river definitely plays an important part for both of the twin cities.

History of St. Paul

When it comes to the twin cities, it’s a great idea to take a look at the history of St. Paul. This city happens to be the second largest city that is in the state of Minnesota. This city was spurred off of the Fort Snelling, which was a military presence that was in the area. It was actually the first presence in the area for the U.S. military. It was located on the Mississippi River and was first established back in 1819.  The fort was actually established in the area so that the Americans could establish their own dominance over the fur trade on the Minnesota and the Mississippi rivers.

One bootlegger who was a retired fur trader decided to move his operation down the river a bit and he put it on the North bank. It eventually got the name of Pig’s Eye. Later the area would formally get the name Saint Paul, which was suggested by a priest in the area. The area is basically the gateway on the river towards the Midwest, and many steamboats found their way through the area. For some time the town was a railroad time as well and is often known as “The Last City of the East.”

History of Minneapolis

On the other hand, of the twin cities, you also have Minneapolis, which also has a rich history that originated in much the same way. It is the largest city in the state and it too originated from Fort Snelling. However, this city had a lot to do with Saint Anthony Falls as well, which gave the power needed for various flour and saw mills that were run. Once the land in the area was able to be settled, there were two different towns that were established. On the west side was Minneapolis, and on the east side was Saint Anthony. Later in 1872 these two towns would become one city. The industry in the area was mainly based on milling and soon the city was the top center of flour production. It earned the common name, “Mill City.”

It also began to become quite big in the railroad and banking industry as well. In fact, still today this city is a center in the banking industry. The area still has two of the biggest milling companies in the world, the Pillsbury Company as well as the General Mills company, although the two have now merged together.

The Cities Today

Today you will find that both of the twin cities, Minneapolis and Saint Paul, are growing cities. The skylines have definitely changed over the years, with tall buildings easily seen from the Mississippi River. There are now parks, museums, and various modes of entertainment to be found in both of the cities. However, as you cross the river, you will find the two cities to be quite different. In fact, you may even find that they are competitive. With the rich history and unique culture, they are definitely worth visiting if you venture into Minnesota.

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