Kenwood, a neighborhood in Minneapolis that is a member of the Calhoun-Isles Community, derived its name from the company that developed the neighborhood. Kenwood shares Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake with the Cedar-Isles-Dean neighborhood. Kenwood contains many open spaces including these two lakes, trails, parks, and playgrounds. Kenwood’s parks attract skaters in the winter, and walkers and joggers use the nearly three miles of trails around Lake of the Isles during the warmer months. The city is distinguished for its large Mediterranean, colonial, and arts and crafts homes, the majority of them facing the Lake of the Isles. As one of the smaller neighborhoods in the Calhoun-Isles Community, Kenwood has a total of 1,500 residents, which offers a small-town feel in the middle of a big city atmosphere.
Known for being a community for all seasons, Kenwood has several events that promote community spirit. In early May, the locals get together for the Neighborhood Gathering. This is an event where locals can meet their neighbors outside the downtown area on West 21st Street. Visitors enjoy delightful handcrafted pizza completed on-site by Red Wagon Pizza Company in their mobile truck with a wood-fired oven. The event also features outstanding arts and crafts for children. Another activity is the Kenwood Carnival in early May where locals enjoy games, food, and music. Additional events include the January neighborhood ice skating party on the Lake of the Isles skating rink, the City of Lakes Loppet cross-country ski festival in February, the Spring Earth Day where neighborhood volunteers help clean up the community, and the Kenwood Recreation Center Annual Spring Egg Hunt.
While Kenwood is almost entirely residential, there are a few businesses and organizations that contribute to the neighborhood. The premier dining establishment is the Kenwood restaurant. The Kenwood stems from a European dining background, and dishes served at the restaurant are a blend of elegant and adventurous. While the food is based on European traditions, the ingredients are locally-sourced and fresh, adding a local pride to the restaurant’s endeavors. Serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and a variety of coffees, wines and beers, the Kenwood is a staple of the community. Another notable organization is the Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church. Located across the street from Lake of the Isles, this historic church has been a part of the neighborhood since the early 1900’s.
The Kenwood neighborhood is attached to some of Minneapolis’s greatest parks. They include:
Cedar Lake Park: Cedar Lake Park is part of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park. At 288 acres, this park services the Bryn Mawr, Kenwood, and Cedar-Isles-Dean neighborhoods. Located on Cedar Lake, the park offers great fishing and swimming opportunities. Residents enjoy visiting the three separate beaches as well as fishing for northern pike, muskie, and bass on the fishing pier. The park also offers visitors a biking/walking path, picnic area with grills, and cross-country skiing trails in the winter.
Kenwood Park: Kenwood Park is a neighborhood park located exclusively within the Kenwood neighborhood. At nearly 33 acres, Kenwood Park is not the largest park available, but it does offer several great amenities. These include picnic areas with grills, a playground, restrooms, a softball field, walking paths, and the city’s largest bank of public tennis courts. Additionally, the park is located on sloping hilltops, giving visitors great views of the chain of lakes.
Lake of the Isles Park: A 208-acre park located north of Lake Calhoun, Lake of the Isles Park services the Cedar-Isles-Dean, East Isles, Kenwood, and Lowry Hill neighborhoods. A wildly popular tourist attraction and scenic destination, Lake of the Isles Park is an engineered lake that attracts an average of 5.5 million visitors a year from all over the world. This is largely due to its beautiful waterfront and rich amenities. Connected to Lake Calhoun through a lagoon as well as trails, Lake of the Isles Park offers visitors biking/walking paths, fountains, a soccer field, a fishing pier, and the beautiful lake itself. During the winter, Lakes of the Isles Park also opens a hockey rink and an ice skating area. Cherished by the nearby neighborhoods and the state of Minnesota as a whole, Lake of the Isles Park is a popular wedding destination and afternoon getaway location.
If you have any questions regarding the city of Minneapolis, Calhoun Isles, or if you would like to sell or buy a house in the area, please feel free to give Twin Cities Property Finder a call at 952.204.7950.
