Introduction to Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota is 9 miles NW of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The city is situated along the banks of the Mississippi River in Hennepin County and is regarded as a suburb of Minneapolis. It's a former agricultural community. Major employers include Caterpillar Paving Products, Egan McKay, Medical Arts Press, Unisource Worldwide, Modern Manufacturing and Engineering, PDL, Biopharma and Medtronic. Education and health services are major employers. Rivers and streams flow through the city. Lakes and ponds are featured in the area's landscape.
Brooklyn Park History
The area was included in the Missouri Territory in the early 19th century. In 1852 settlers began to make their claims for land in the area. Settlers arrived from Michigan and named the township after their residence in Brooklyn Michigan. In 1860 two portions of the township were split-off and became Brooklyn Center and Crystal Lake.
Brooklyn Park and nearby Attractions
Brooklyn Park Historical Farm offers an insight into the lives of settlers during the early days. It includes a farmhouse, a barn, a variety of farm animals, a windmill, historic farm equipment and other items of interest. Other notable attractions in the area include:
- Children's Arts Festival
- Apple Fest
- Tater Daze
- Arts in the Park
- Concerts in the Park
- Rose Galleries
- Underwater Adventures
- American Wings Air Museum
- Science Museum of Minnesota
Brooklyn Park Activities
The city includes an extensive park and trail system and a notable community activity center. Residents and visitors enjoy the Grand Rios indoor water park. The Brunswick Zone is a family style entertainment facility. There are a vast number of lakes in the region that provide opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities. The nearby Minneapolis Chain of Lakes are popular for canoeing.
The Springbrook Nature Center is close by and offers hiking trails through forest areas, prairie and wetlands. Lake Minnetonka provides opportunities for boating and observing nature. Golf enthusiasts enjoy the numerous area courses including the Brookland Golf Course and the USA Golf Course.
Brooklyn Park Higher Education
A campus of Rasmussen College is located in Brooklyn Park. The University of Minnesota, Hennepin Technical College and North Hennepin Community College are in the area.
