The city of Long Lake, Minnesota is a small town west of the Twin Cities metro area. With a population of a little over 1,800 residents, Long Lake offers its residents a close-knit community that benefits from a myriad of amenities. Its close location to the nearby Lake Minnetonka communities also factors into the atmosphere of this small city.
Long Lake is unique in that it is completely surrounded by the city of Orono. Because of this, much of the community is influenced by the encompassing, larger city. It is not uncommon for residents of Long Lake to make use of the numerous parks and community events that take place in the larger city of Orono. Despite Long Lake’s involvement outside of the city boundaries, there are a number of businesses and events that residents enjoy within the city itself.
The city of Long Lake values events that link the town’s residents together. One of their most popular community events is the SummerFest. This is a three-day event is hosted by the city’s Long Lake Area Chamber. The event sponsors a plethora of outdoor activities such as music concerts, water skiing, complementary food, and several children’s activities. This local summer event is the perfect way to get the family outdoors for some lakeside fun.
Corn Days is another fun event that kicks off annually in the fall. This event features a parade that trumps through the downtown area, and is a fun way for the whole family to be together before the start of a new school year.
One popular local business that the citizens of Long Lake can enjoy is the Orono Public Golf Course. Founded in 1924, the Orono Public Golf Course was the first public golf course in Minnesota with grass greens. With 9 holes, elevated greens, and a family-friendly atmosphere, the Orono Public Golf Course is a great community location. During the winter season, the golf course hosts a local tournament called the Snowball Open. This is a widely popular event as it has attracted several hundred participants in recent years. The Snowball Open is the mainly purposed as a fundraiser for the Orono Lions. The income from the event funds several programs in Orono, Long Lake, and the surrounding communities. In addition, the city of Long Lake is home to a local business that can not be found anywhere else. The Gear West company sells cross-country skiing, and running equipment, which can be used on the city’s surrounding trails. They are a local expert and offer some of the largest selections in the entire state.
With the cities of Wayzata, Orono, and Excelsior in close proximity, residents of Long Lake are able to enjoy fine dining, entertainment, and art with relatively little travel. A number of restaurants and museums exist within a few miles of the city of Long Lake, including the Minnetonka Center for the Arts in Wayzata. Additionally, there are churches, movie theaters, libraries, and parks in the surrounding area.