Interactive link to median sales price featured in the picture above: http://northstarmls.stats.10kresearch.com/infoserv/s-v1/jZ1y-4Ia
Discover Lakeville, a place where nature meets the Twin Cities. Known for its appealing homes, beautiful parks, and, of course, it’s lakes, the city of Lakeville draws residents who appreciate the short 20-mile commute to either Minneapolis and St. Paul along I35W, I35E and Highway 77. These amenities have made Lakeville one of the fastest-growing areas in the Twin Cities with a population of over 60,000.
The city has a unique character created by its open spaces, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. Residents enjoy fishing in a branch of the Vermillion River that flows through Lakeville, a designated trout stream. Lakeville contains several lakes, as well as smaller ponds and wetlands within its borders. The two largest lakes are Lake Marion and Orchard Lake, which are used heavily for fishing, boating, and swimming. Smaller natural lakes include Kingsley Lake and Lee Lake. Valley Lake is a small man-made lake in the northern part of the city.
The city’s parks department maintains a total of 60 parks and 100 miles of trails. Through a partnership with the Lakeville Cycling Association, a five-mile mountain bike trail on the west side of Lake Marion was opened in 2017. It features trail segments for beginning, intermediate and advanced bicyclists. The trail is a single track trail system that includes multiple switchbacks, berms and rollers. To access the trailhead, park in the Casperson Park gravel lot near the soccer fields.
Kermie the Frog, Chuck the Bunny, Myron and the whole puppet crew entertain Lakeville children during the summer as the Lakeville Lions Puppet Wagon makes its rounds. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs to these daily shows offered Monday to Friday.
Lakeville boasts the the largest theatre screen in Minnesota. The 21-screen Emagine Lakeville movie theater screen is 80 feet wide by 35 feet tall. The auditorium seats nearly 600 people in high back rocker chair seats making it the best place to see the big releases. Animal lovers interact with wildlife in a close and safe way at Fur Ever Wild — a working agricultural farm that celebrates traditional connections to the land and mother nature, from the pioneering trappers and hunters that traveled through and settled in Minnesota to ranchers and farmers who are feeding the world today.
The Lakeville Area Arts Center promotes cultural enrichment and artistic experiences for the entire community by offering many unique youth and adult art classes, along with a variety of theatrical productions. A highlight is the Lakeville Area Arts Festival held each September.
Those passionate about the city’s history help staff the Lakeville Historical Society museum along Holyoke Ave., where exhibits of artifacts, photos, and memorabilia give visitors a glimpse into Lakeville’s past. Rich in historical lore, today’s Lakeville had its origins back in 1853. That’s when Captain William B. Dodd, who came from the east to serve the military forts in the Minnesota Territory, designed and directed the construction of a road that would serve as a practical land route connecting the military forts in St. Paul to the southern forts. The road, which was named for Captain Dodd after he was killed in the Sioux uprising in 1862, bisects present-day Lakeville. Notoriety came when Colonel Marion Savage expanded his entertainment business into constructing Antlers Amusement Park in 1910. Riding on fame from his success with the Dan Patch racing horse and the popularity of the park, the lake was renamed Lake Marion, and the rail line servicing the park named the Dan Patch Railroad Line.
Lakeville later became a flourishing milling center, and its agriculture industry is still in operation. While many of Lakeville’s workers commute northward to Minneapolis, St. Paul, and more central suburbs like Bloomington, Lakeville has had major industry since the 1960s including the Airlake Industrial Park, which is served by Airlake Airport, a regional reliever airport. The 1,500-acre park, one of the state’s largest contiguous industrial parks, has attracted companies ranging from start-ups to large corporations. Airlake Industrial Park is home to as many as 200 companies and an estimated 4,500 employees. Post Consumer Brands has had its headquarters in Lakeville since 2015. With the growth, Lakeville maintains its small-town, rural connection. Large farms remain in operation, producing most of their revenue in corn, soybeans, and dairy cattle. The city’s downtown area is a place to congregate with your neighbors.
This family-oriented community offers abundant amenities and a safe, secure environment.