The Wenonah neighborhood is located on the southern edge of Minneapolis and found in the Nokomis community. Near the southern border, a piece of the neighborhood ranges into the city Richfield. The Wenonah neighborhood got its name after Hiawatha’s mother, the daughter of Nokomis, from a legend that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow attributes to Ojibwe people in his poem, The Song of Hiawatha. Before 1900 the neighborhood was a major American Indian center.
Tree-lined streets characterize the neighborhood with homes ranging in many types of architectural styles. The peaceful and charming neighborhood is home to around 3,000 locals, all of which enjoy the amenities that Wenonah has to offer. The housing styles consist of cozy single-family homes. Most of the homes were built between 1920 through 1960 and were constructed as bungalows, and mini-Tudors, with occasional one-story ranch styles.
Wenonah is a part of the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association. Every year, NENA puts on several community-wide events. The annual NENA garage sale brings buyers and sellers together for a neighborhood-wide sale. Whether you’re looking to clean out the basement or seeking reasonably priced hidden treasures, this is the event for everyone.
Another event held in early fall is the Monarch Festival. The festival offers everything from food, music, and dance, to Monarch and habitat education, to hands-on art and native plant sales, all while highlighting the Minnesota-Mexico connection and celebrating the Monarch butterfly’s amazing 2,300-mile migration. The Night Before New Year’s Eve celebration on December 30th, is a family-oriented, free event, that offers parents and kids a chance to celebrate the coming New Year a night early. The celebration includes food, carnival games, live music, marshmallow roasting over a bonfire, hayrides, a photo booth, the famous Nokomis Fish Pond, a “midnight” (7:55pm) countdown complete with noisemakers and much more.
Berry Sweet Kitchen takes pride in operating with natural ingredients and baking all of their food fresh from scratch every day. They sell the best produce and fruits available to give their customers on a consistent basis. If you like desserts, their treats are as delicious as they are beautifully decorated. The extensive selection of unique confections includes signature cupcakes, weekly and holiday specials, and custom created desserts. In addition to dining in, they also offer catering services as well. Las Teresitas is a local Mexican restaurant known for its extensive menu, generous portions, and in-house salsa bar. Patrons not only get an authentic Mexican food experience, but are able to add seemingly limitless flavor with the offerings found on the salsa bar. Additionally, Las Teresitas offers delivery in the local neighborhood, making it an even more popular option. One of the most popular stores is the local Crafters Haven. An arts and crafts store with numerous supplies for all types of projects, residents enjoy the friendly staff and extensive displays.
The Wenonah neighborhood is home to two parks. They include:
Bossen Field Park: A 36.5-acre neighborhood park located near the center of the Wenonah neighborhood, Bossen Field Park plays an integral role in the local community. Visitors enjoy baseball and softball fields, a basketball court, a playground, restrooms, soccer fields, a sports facility, and a wading pool. As the only park entirely located in the neighborhood, Bossen Field Park is very popular during the warmer months.
Lake Nokomis Park: The Keewaydin neighborhood contains the majority of Lake Nokomis Park. A massive park at over 400 acres, Lake Nokomis Park services the Diamond Lake, Hale, Keewaydin, and Wenonah neighborhoods. Amenities at the park are seemingly endless and include baseball and softball fields, biking and walking paths, a decorative fountain, fishing piers, football and soccer fields, pickleball and tennis courts, a playground, picnic areas with a grill, a pond hockey rink, and public art sculptures throughout. Additionally, visitors can make use of the lake. Lake Nokomis is one of only three sailing lakes in Minneapolis and also offers boat and canoe access. The park has several swimming beaches along the lake’s shores which are wildly popular during the summer months. A great destination for all ages and interests, Lake Nokomis Park is a wonderful park to visit year-round
If you have any questions regarding the city of Minneapolis, the Nokomis community, or if you would like to sell or buy a house in the area, please feel free to visit Twin Cities Property Finder or call 1-800-909-1953.
