Bossen Field Park was mostly created to suit the Bossen Fields. There are a number of fields at the location along with a basketball court and sports facility. There is also a playground and a pool. These are just a handful of parks that make Minneapolis the best park system in the country.
Keewaydin Park is much smaller and connected to Keewaydin Elementary school. It has a picnic area and playground, sports fields and a small pool.
is one of the most well known parks in south Minneapolis. The park is right on the shores of Lake Nokomis and has so many different things to offer. There are sport fields and courts, walking, biking paths and skiing paths, a pool, a boat dock, a playground, art, fountains, a fishing pier, a grill and picnic area, an ice rink, and a horseshoe pit. But the community really enjoys the beach. It is one of the larger beaches on the Minneapolis lakes.
Morris Park is a typical park with a picnic area and playground, sport fields and a pool, but what makes it unique is the skate park. It is one of the few parks in Minneapolis that has a skate park.
Nokomis Naturescape Garden (5000 E Lake Nokomis Pkwy, 612-724-5652) is on the shores of Lake Nokomis and home to many monarch butterflies. These are beautiful gardens that are maintained by volunteers.
The Longfellow Gardens are also located within the neighborhood association. It is a landscape garden along a creek dedicated to the writer and poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who wrote a poem about Minnehaha Falls. There is also a replica of his home near the gardens.
The Nokomis East Gateway Gardens were developed after the blue line of the light rail came through the area and left some land unused. This land was turned into beautiful wildlife gardens.
Another community favorite restaurant is Al Vento. This restaurant features a taste of Italy right here in South Minneapolis.
If you’re looking for a genuinely homemade meal you need to stop at the Berry Sweet Kitchen. This restaurant uses all natural and fresh ingredients to create some of the tastiest and most beautiful masterpieces when it comes to food!
Boss’ Pizza & Chicken is a newer spot that has only been open in Minneapolis since 2014. It is quickly becoming a favorite because of it’s quality food, delivery services, and the fact that it is open until 3am! This gives you a taste of the many other restaurants in the area.
The Sandcastle is a particular favorite because it rests on the shore of Lake Nokomis. The American style food is served over the counter, which is perfect for a day at the beach.
Sassy Spoon is a restaurant that caters to the gluten free public. The entire menu is gluten free so those with food allergies involving gluten can eat anything and everything!
Nokomis Shoe Shop, which has been around for 80 years. It is a family owned store that started off doing shoe repair. It has since grown and in 2003 it opened a second location in Crystal, MN. The shop is big on customer service and sells a wide range of work and outdoor shoes as well as socks and some clothing.
Orange Rhino is a clothing store that sells only organic items. It is owned by a husband and a wife that screen print their designs on hoodies, onesies and tees. All the materials are organic, fair trade and made in the USA. The shop originated in the neighborhood but has been spreading very quickly not only in the USA but all over the world.
Oxendale’s Market is the community grocery store in NENA. This store is dedicated to keeping everything local. This means that the produce is local, and the employees live and shop locally as well. Their goal is to strengthen their community through groceries and good service. Each of these shops is local and are vital to keeping the neighborhood feeling more like a community, even within the city of Minneapolis.
Another community favorite restaurant is Al Vento. This restaurant features a taste of Italy right here in South Minneapolis.
The biggest draw for nightlife in the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association is Town Hall Lanes. It is a pub with a bowling alley and one of the largest beer menus around. People love to meet up here with friends late at night, grab something to eat, get a drink and bowl for a couple hours. It is a relaxing but fun environment.
Keewaydin Park is much smaller and connected to Keewaydin Elementary school. It has a picnic area and playground, sports fields and a small pool.
Morris Park is a typical park with a picnic area and playground, sport fields and a pool, but what makes it unique is the skate park. It is one of the few parks in Minneapolis that has a skate park.
Nokomis Fall Urban Craft and Art Fair takes place in the middle of November. The fair represents the work of 48 different indie artists and crafters. Admission is free but there are many items that are showcased and even for sale such as jewelry, art, ceramics, sweets, woodwork, soaps, textile glass, paper goods, candles and more. This gives artists a chance to showcase their work and it involves the whole community. Combined with this event is the Lake Nokomis Craft Crawl. This crawl takes participants to three different locations, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minnehaha United Methodist Church, and Nokomis Square Coop to make, buy and sell crafts. These are the main ways that NENA contributes to the artistic bent of the community. Live music also takes place in several restaurants and at special events.
The biggest draw for nightlife in the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association is Town Hall Lanes. It is a pub with a bowling alley and one of the largest beer menus around. People love to meet up here with friends late at night, grab something to eat, get a drink and bowl for a couple hours. It is a relaxing but fun environment.
The association organizes it and anyone can join and set up a booth for free. It usually takes place on a weekend in the middle of June and it’s great for people who want to clean out the closet and for those looking for good deals.
The Monarch Festival is a particular favorite of the community. It is a celebration of the monarch butterfly and its Mexican heritage. Children are encouraged to dress up as butterflies; there is Latin food, a parade, art activities, and the University of Minnesota even brings in real butterflies for the event. This usually takes place at the beginning of September.
At the end of November each year is the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Oxendale’s Market. The community Christmas tree is lit up at this time and then there is free root beer, an opportunity to get your picture with Santa and free books for children. This is a fun event for the community to welcome in the Christmas season.
Nokomis Fall Urban Craft and Art Fair takes place in the middle of November. The fair represents the work of 48 different indie artists and crafters. Admission is free but there are many items that are showcased and even for sale such as jewelry, art, ceramics, sweets, woodwork, soaps, textile glass, paper goods, candles and more. This gives artists a chance to showcase their work and it involves the whole community. Combined with this event is the Lake Nokomis Craft Crawl. This crawl takes participants to three different locations, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minnehaha United Methodist Church, and Nokomis Square Coop to make, buy and sell crafts. These are the main ways that NENA contributes to the artistic bent of the community. Live music also takes place in several restaurants and at special events.
the Night Before New Year’s Eve has been a popular event in NENA for 16 years now. On December 30th there is a big party that is both free and kid friendly to celebrate the coming New Year. There is always music, games, food, hayrides, a photo booth, marshmallow roasting and even a countdown. This is great for parents that want to celebrate the New Year with their small children and still go out on New Year’s Eve.