It’s hard to find a more convenient suburban neighborhood than Wolfe Park in St. Louis Park. Located between Highway 7 and Excelsior Boulevard, from Highway 100 to France Avenue, it is only 5 miles southwest of Minneapolis and one of the best ‘surban’ neighborhoods in the entire metro.
Wolfe Park is a 32-acre park at the center of the neighborhood… with a walk score of 86! It is home to the Wolfe Park Veteran’s Memorial Amphitheater, a walking trail, picnic areas, a playground, an activity center, a basketball court, a sand volleyball court, five pickleball courts and a fishing pond.
Wolfe Park is close to where the city of St. Louis Park developed in 1890, several years after the village’s incorporation. The park area was once an industrial gravel pit. The park green began development in 1947 and much commercial and residential development occurred in the latter part of the 20th century.
There are two parks in the official Wolfe Park neighborhood… Wolfe Park and Bass Lake Park Preserve, with walking trails and pickleball courts in each.
The St. Louis Park Rec Center with two indoor ice arenas, a skate shop, Banquet Room, Gallery Room, and Aquatic Park is right next to Wolfe Park… a complete overhaul in 1997-98 created the aquatic park with a 4-story body slide and tube ride, and the ROC (Recreation Outdoor Center) was added in 2016-17.
Bass Lake Park Preserve, a 52-acre nature preserve, is across the street and also has 2 tennis courts, 2 pickleball courts and the 1.4 mile George Haun Trail that meanders through oak savannah and prairie around Bass Lake.
The 8 square block Excelsior & Grand mixed use redevelopment area between Excelsior Boulevard and Wolfe Park exploded in 2001-2007, transforming the area into a walkable, ‘surban’ community with apartments, condos, shopping, dining, and services along Grand Way and Excelsior Avenue.
Now more than 20 years old, trees and landscaping have matured creating an atmosphere of calm, safety, and a sense of community.
Its easy access to Minneapolis city lakes and trails, as well as it own parks and trails, have helped make it a desirable location to relax after a busy day.
Lago Tacos and Starbucks are both on Grand Way at the heart of Excelsior and Grand, and CVS Pharmacy is on the corner across from Starbucks.
Hazelwood Food & Drink is on the corner across from Trader Joe’s where there is also a bus stop with Honey & Rye bakery across the street, and Fresh Thyme is further down on Excelsior Boulevard
A sample of other treasures to be found in this walkable neighborhood…
- Opitz Outlet with discount designer clothing, and Mill Valley Kitchen heading east on Excelsior
- McDonald’s, Lunds & Byerlys, and Target close to Highway 100
- LA Fitness, north of Target
- Steel Toe Brewing
- Pavek Museum of Electronic Commuication
- Nordic Ware Factory Store
- Park Nicollet medical center
- Miracle Mile shopping center including Frattalone’s Hardware, Schuler Shoes, Hoigaard’s and Orvis clothing and outdoor gear, Half Price Books and more!
- At least 10 bus transit stops, plus a Metro Green Line light rail transit stop near Highway 7 scheduled to open in 2027
- Easy access to freeways to everywhere
- Quiet, safe neighborhood… when Deputy Sheriff stopped by on National Night Out he asked if anyone had any questions or concerns they struggled coming up with anything serious!
- And much more!
St. Louis Park is a first-ring suburb bordering Minneapolis, known for its quick 10-15 minute commute to downtown Minneapolis and its tree-lined streets with affordable homes. This means you’re only minutes away from some of the Twin Cities’ most attractive amenities: the Chain of Lakes, the downtown theater district, shopping, award-winning restaurants, universities and major league sports.
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – shensrud@homesmsp.com
