Post by ● Sep 9, 2015

St. Paul: Union Park

Tagged: Community Profiles, St. Paul Minnesota, , , , , , , , , , ,

Situated in the western portion of the city of St. Paul, Union Park is a gathering of smaller neighborhoods including Merriam Park, Lexington-Hamline, and Snelling-Hamline. Though the neighborhood as a whole is mainly residential, Union Park includes several large sections of the Midway commercial and industrial areas along University Avenue. The Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Line travels through Union Park between the downtowns of St. Paul and Minneapolis, making the Union Park neighborhood some of the most desirable living for employees in the Twin Cities area. The Central Corridor makes many of the other neighborhood’s amenities more easily accessible, including many colleges and universities, excellent parks, and lively commercial districts at the intersections of major streets.

The Union Park neighborhood consists of mainly single-family homes constructed in a variation of architectural styles between the 1880’s and the 1930’s. These styles include Queen Anne, Craftsman Bungalows, Prairie, Colonial Revivals, and Tudor Revivals. Streets patterned in a traditional grid, often with corner stores at the intersections of major streets, are another characteristic of the neighborhood. Mature trees line the walking-friendly sidewalks, making Union Park a beautiful neighborhood for a stroll.

There are several amenities found within the neighborhood. The Town and Country Club is one of the most exclusive locations within Union Park. With a beautiful, 18-hole golf course, heated, outdoor pool, four clay tennis courts, a fitness center, five dining areas, and more, the country club is a longstanding icon of the neighborhood. Regarded as the birthplace of Minnesota golf, the Town and Country Club is a members-only course that has existed since 1893. The Merriam Park Recreation Center is another popular location within the neighborhood. It features a craft room, gymnasium, and a meeting room which are open to the public and often utilized by local schools.

The Union Park neighborhood houses a variety of parks. Some of the most notable include:

Desnoyer Park: A popular neighborhood park, Desnoyer Park includes a wide array of amenities. With its ½ basketball court, picnic tables, playground, softball field with lights, tennis court, and soccer field, residents have access to a classic offering of amenities. During the warmer months Desnoyer Park is bustling with activity as local leagues utilize the softball field.

Iris Park: Iris Park is the perfect location for an afternoon picnic. Designed to be a place of rest and green space along the busy University Avenue, residents and visitors alike will appreciate the park’s scenic beauty. With a gorgeous, artificial pond and several benches, guests are sure to enjoy a time of rest and reflection.

Aldine Park: While only 1.76 acres in size, Aldine Park includes several wonderful amenities. With a softball field, horseshoe pits, a basketball court, a picnic area, and two playgrounds, guests are sure to have a good time. The smaller nature of the park makes it a quieter  and more peaceful alternative to some of the larger options around.

Hamline and Hague Park: Hamline and Hague Park is a very simple park option. The only amenities offered on site are a circular tot-lot, and a swinging bench. While not the largest nor the most extravagant park in the neighborhood, parents and young children alike enjoy the park because of its safe, peaceful, and quiet nature. Kids are free to run around and play while parents stay nearby and swing on the adjacent bench.

Dunning Sports Complex: The Dunning Sports Complex hosts Municipal Athletic adult softball leagues, adult baseball leagues, and a variety of youth softball and baseball events. This is a largely seasonal park, as most of its amenities are outdoors and can only be used during the spring, summer, and fall. Nevertheless, this park is very popular for many sporting activities. Its amenities include 3 softball fields, 3 baseball fields, 5 tennis courts, batting cages, a warming room, and a playground, making it an athletic and sporting center for the community.

If you have any questions regarding the Union Park neighborhood, the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota, or if you would like to sell or buy a house in the area, please feel free to visit TwinCitiesPropertyFinder.com or call 1-800-909-1953.