Richfield is an inner suburb of Minneapolis, and it started as a farming community back in the 1850s. In 1858, Minnesota was admitted to the Union, and the residents of the farming community named themselves Richfield after the fertile soils around them. They went through several growing pains before becoming more commerce-focused. The Richfield Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1955, and they have been very involved in developing and shaping Richfield.
There are roughly 35,000 people and 10,000 single-family homes in Richfield. Most of the homes were constructed in the 1950s, and over the next few decades, 5,000 apartments were built. The people are diverse, and the homes are being remodeled and updated from small post-World War II houses to larger and more modern homes.
Best Buy is one of the most well-known businesses in Minnesota, and it is headquartered in Richfield. The headquarters moved there in 2003, and they have been the top employer in Richfield ever since.
Richfield still has plenty of nature that is pristine and serene. The most notable is the Wood Lake Nature Center, which is a 150-acre nature preserve and is run by the city. It has Wood Lake, of course, and it also has restored prairie habitats, lowland forests, and a marsh with cattails. There are walking trails, an outdoor amphitheater. and a picnic area. There is also an Interpretive Center that has classes taught year round by naturalists for children and adults. It opened in 1971 as one of the first urban nature centers in the country, and it now has 200 kinds of birds and 30 mammals.Richfield Lake Park is a neighborhood park where people of the community like to go for a quiet walk with the dog, a picnic, or to allow their children to play on the playground. It has a half-court basketball court if you want to play some hoops, and it has a walking path. There is a lot of nature in this park, so you can enjoy the wild in the middle of your hectic day.
Sheridan Park is a great place for a contemplative walk on the walking path if you want to get away from the real world for an hour or two. It also has a softball field, tennis courts, and a playground for the children. It also has a half-court basketball court and a volleyball court as well.
Taft Park is next to Taft Lake, and the latter has been a fishing pond since 1975. If you love to fish, you can get your fill here year round as they have ice fishing, too. The park itself has a walking path, a football field, softball fields, a hockey rink, and more. There's a playground for children as well, and it's a great place to have a picnic. It's a good place for a bit of meditation or physical activity during your busy day.
Veterans Park, which is also called Veterans Memorial Park, is one of Richfield's best-known parks. It has so much to do, and everyone should be able to find something fun/engaging here. It has an outdoor pool, the Honoring All Veterans Memorial, an ice arena, and the largest picnic pavilion in Richfield. It has an 18-hole mini-golf course and malt shop, which is run by Wheel Fun Rentals (they also rent bicycles, obviously). The park also hosts several events such as the Richfield Farmer's Market, the Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K, and the Richfield Red, White, and Blue Days. It will soon be home to the Richfield Band Shell, a gathering place for the neighborhood to enjoy live performances.
Wood Lake Nature Center is 150 acres of idyllic natural environments, complete with a variety of flora and fauna to take delight in. The staff is dedicated to nature preservation and nature education. There are several wildlife viewing areas, a 100-seat amphitheater, and three miles of boardwalks and trails--walking and skiing. Pets, bikes, and rollerblades are not allowed to preserve the pristine nature of the environment. The trails are wheelchair-accessible in the summertime.
Andale Taqueria is a casual neighborhood Mexican restaurant where you can go to grab a quite and satisfying bite. They have a market next door, and everything they make is from scratch with ingredients from the market, and it is made daily. The staff is friendly, and the service is family-style--which means plenty for everyone. The menu includes tortas, tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. They also have specialties, including pozole, chimichangas, and molcajete. They have vegetarian options, and they serve breakfast all day long.
Cone Brothers draws its inspiration from the 1950 ice cream shop, and their emphasis is on quality rather than quantity. The tiny shop is filled with fun and kitschy items as well as turquoise-colored walls. They have 20 flavors of high-quality ice cream made by hand, and they like to shake it up on a seasonal basis. The flavors include Zanzibar chocolate, cappuccino break, and peanut butter cup. They also have hot dogs, vintage sodas, and smoothies.
Fireside Foundry started as Fireside Pizza in 1959, and they are dedicated to their roots while simultaneously expanding and growing with the modern age. They pride themselves on their steampunk decor which is inspired by the technology of the 1800s. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff is friendly. They still make pizzas based on their original recipe, but they also offer plenty of new items which are sure to excite everyone's taste buds. A few of their pizzas are Kiss My Pizza, Vegetable Special, and Bacon Cheeseburger. They also have calzones, meatballs, and steak kabobs, sandwiches, pastas, and entrees. They now have a full service bar including several Minnesota craft beers.
Joy's Pattaya Thai Restaurant is, of course, a Thai restaurant, and the owner, Joy, is focused on reproducing authentic Thai cuisine based on her time living and working in Thailand. Pattaya is an island in Thailand and a popular tourist destination. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the service is laid-back and friendly. They are trying to evoke the breezy atmosphere of Pattaya to make everyone feel relaxed and comfortable. Their menu includes pumpkin panang curry, shrimp & chicken pad kapow, crab fried rice, and roasted duck curry. They have vegetarian and vegan options, and try the mango with sticky rice for dessert.
Local Roots is a family-owned restaurant with an emphasis on locality and sustainability. It was opened in 2017 by Joe and Courtney Norgaard who started a line of Local Roots products in 2009, and they adhere to organic products as much as possible. They are proud to give back to their community, and they take satisfaction in making tasty and healthy dishes. The atmosphere is casual/comfortable, and the service is very kid-friendly. The menu includes pulled pork hash, a vegan veggie wrap, and a pickled beet salad. They also have a kids menu and coffee as well.
Vina Restaurant Richfield is a Vietnamese restaurant that is passionate about serving traditional dishes with the freshest ingredients. The original Vina Restaurant was opened in St. Paul in 1982, and the original owner maintains Vina Restaurant Richfield. The atmosphere is low-key, and the service is fast and friendly. The menu includes pho, wonton soup, fried rice, lomein, and plenty of entrees. They have a lengthy vegetarian menu as well, including curry mock duck, tofu with fried potatoes & onions, and kung pao tofu. They have takeout as well.
Hub Hobby Center was founded in 1979 and has been helping people enjoy their hobbies ever since. The store is very no-nonsense looking with a knowledgeable and friendly staff. They carry many models such as trains, Gundams, and rockets. They sell classic board games, science projects, tabletop games, arts and crafts kits, and much more. They have toys including Legos, plastic horses, robotic toys, and stuffed animals.
Lakewinds Food Co-op in Richfield is one of three Lakewinds Food Co-ops, and they are focused on providing members of their community the best and freshest products available. They also are committed to helping the less fortunate members of their community, which means they donate money, products, and energy to local causes. They started as the Minnetonka Buying Club in 1972, and they became an official co-op in 1975. Their products are healthy and as organic as possible. They believe in sustainability and supporting local businesses. They have an in-store deli, Kombucha and coffee bar, and they make sushi daily.
Optimism Integrity & Contentment LLC is passionate about wigs. Human hair wigs, synthetic fiber wigs, front lace wigs--it doesn't matter. If it has to do with wigs, they're into it. They also have gift items for every special occasion whether it's a birthday, a wedding, or a holiday. They have gifts for everyone from children to adults. The items include jewelry, stuffed animals, clothing, accessories, and art.
Penn Cycle opened in 1957 by Elmer J. Sorenson, and in the six decades since, it has expanded from its flagship shop in Richfield to seven stores all around the Twin Cities. They were the first bicycle store to become Trek dealers, and they are now the #1 Trek dealer in Minnesota. They also sell apparel, accessories, and parts. They do repairs and rentals, too. They are passionate about bikes, and they love sharing that passion with their customers and members of the community.
The Enchanted Rock Garden is in the Woodlake Plaza Mall, and they are passionate about their minerals. It is owned by Mary who has loved rocks since she was little and Pete, a mineralogist. Their exuberance for minerals are evident in their displays. There are rocks everywhere, and they are dazzling to the eyes. They have common rocks, crystals, rare rocks, lapidary stones, beads, books, and so much more. Whether you have a beginner's interest in rocks or a passion for them, you'll find something for you here.
Wheel Fun Rentals is located inside the Veterans Park. It is primarily a bike rental, which allows you to see the park on a 4-wheel Surrey bike. They also rent out water-based vehicles such as kayaks. They have an 18-hole mini-golf course that is fun for the whole family. They offer foods and drinks in their Malt-T-Melt Malt Shop. Their drinks include coffee, tea, fountain sodas, and, of course, malts. Their food includes several of their signature melts and ice cream.
Sandy's Tavern is a neighborhood bar that has been around since the Prohibition Era. It was built to resemble a farm house to hide the booze from the cops, and it worked. They have a casual and low-key atmosphere with cozy decor. They have won awards for their burgers which includes an olive burger. They also have beer-battered (Red Hook) shrimp and a whole lotta beer. They have a pool table and a claw machine, and it's a great place to chill and relax with family and/or friends.
Richfield Art Center is located in Veterans Park and is run by the city of Richfield. They are dedicated to supporting and promoting local artists, and to that end, the Richfield Arts Commission find volunteers who help host family arts events at the Richfield Art Center throughout the year. It is also used as studio space for artists.
Richfield Community Center is situated in the northeast corner of Augsburg Park, and it has been opened since 1974 (it was a library prior to that). It provides a place for members of the community to participate in a variety of programs, ranging from yoga to dart baseball to card games and mahjongg. There are also affordable meals served as well as tax advice classes. Richfield is committed to helping all the members of their community, and the community center is one way they are achieving that goal.
Richfield Red White & Blue Days is held at the Richfield American Legion Post 435 in Veterans Park, and it is to celebrate the Fourth of July. It will include the 40th annual Richfield Red White & Blue Days parade, family night, street dancing, the 18th annual car show, fireworks, and much much more. It's a great way for members of the community to gather and get to know each other, and to have a lot of fun while doing so.
The Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K is an annual event, and all proceeds go to the Wood Lake Nature Center. This is the 17th year these events have been held, and they take place in the Richfield Ice Arena. All participants receive finisher medals and race shirts.
