LAKE MINNETONKA
LAKE MINNETONKA
COMMUNITY GUIDE 2023
Find fresh air in Shorewood , Tonka Bay
Shorewood
Shorewood is a lakeside town housing close to 7,700 residents , with one of the largest populations across the cities on Lake Minnetonka . Though its history goes back to being a part of the former Excelsior Township , the city was eventually incorporated as its own area in 1956 .
Some of the notable characteristics of the city include its several small islands such as Enchanted Island , Shady Island and Wawatosa , also known as Boy Scout Island . On the other side of Highway 7 is Christmas Lake , which encompasses approximately 265 acres .
The city is filled with views of both Lake Minnetonka and Christmas Lake and features many outdoor amenities across the city . Shorewood is home to close to 100 acres across six city parks , which include recreational activities like basketball , volleyball and tennis courts , walking trails , ice skating rinks and playgrounds . The 14-mile long Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail runs from Hopkins to Carver Park Reserve through Shorewood .
One South Lake Minnetonka fixture is Arctic Fever , a collaborative event held the third weekend in January between Shorewood , Tonka Bay and Excelsior . The winter festival is a spot to gather and bask in the outdoors in ways that distract from the winter cold . Activities include events for children , ice sculptures , visits from the dogs who compete in the Klondike Dog Derby race and a highly-attended fat tire bike race on the lake .
The Shorewood Community and Event Center has been a hub for the community since 2017 , offering event space for rent and many weekly activities for all ages . For more information , visit shorewoodcec . com .
The city is undergoing various improvements yearround , including Strawberry Lane road reconstruction , a
Mill Street Pathway project , a Smithtown Ponds project and continued work to improve Highway 7 following a MnDOT study where residents were able to provide input regarding safety concerns and improvement ideas .
The City Council meets in-person at 7 p . m . on the second and fourth Monday of the month in Shorewood City Hall at 5755 Country Club Road . Updated information on all meetings can be found at ci . shorewood . mn . us . Tonka Bay Tonka Bay is a quaint 1-square-mile town of more than 1,500 people located between the upper and lower lakes of Lake Minnetonka . The town sits in Gideon ’ s Bay with gorgeous views of Echo Bay and nearby Excelsior . The community is known for having more Lake Minnetonka shoreline than other similar-sized cities within the lake community .
One important area for the city ’ s community and sporting events , Manitou Park , has received the start of a park overhaul .
The new park includes things such as a dual-purpose ball field , a new playground featuring accessible equipment , a hockey rink doubling as a dog park , a Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trailhead and warming house with restrooms , and a picnic shelter .
Caribbean Marina on Echo Bay is always a must-stop for Lake Minnetonka visitors , offering delicious food and drinks alongside unmatched Lake Minnetonka views . Nearby eateries include Joey Nova ’ s Pizzeria and Hazelwood Food + Drink . Afterward , visitors can sneak a game of bowling at Country Club Lanes located nearby .
The City Council meets at 7 p . m . on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month in Tonka Bay City Hall at 4901 Manitou Road . Updated information on all meetings can be found at cityoftonkabay . net .
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