Article about Minneapolis neighborhoods with strong sense of community (Woodbury: cul-de-sac, house)

[queenswake]

Summer parties celebrate community | Star Tribune

I remember reading this when it was first published and it left enough of an impression on me that I remember it to this day. These neighborhoods sound like real gems and places most of us would love to live in. The one that holds the parties weekly is just all out rare and almost sounds like what you hear happen at campgrounds or resorts.

Anyway, for all the people on this forum who long for neighborhoods where they can make more connections and live among people willing to let them into their social circles, here are a few to look into. Any others that people know about? Any neighborhoods with at least well-attended National Night out parties? Please share.

[uptown_urbanist]

I love National Night Out! While we're usually busy attending our own block party, it's fun to take a quick walk around and see all the other blocks having their own events.

I've heard mention of Art Block Leaders, but am not sure how widespread that is. I'n not sure what exactly they do, other than to help host arts-related activities. Seemed like a good idea, though.

Where we lived in SW Minneapolis there was a very friendly neighborhood atmosphere. Some blocks were more organized than others, but on a summer evening there were lots of people out strolling, and lots of people sitting outside in front. That was very nice.

I haven't lived in Prospect Park, but that neighborhood has a very active neighborhood email list, tons of events and organized activities, and is in the process of trying to build an outdoor oven as a place for the community to informally gather (and eat fresh-baked bread or have neighborhood pizza parties!).

[queenswake]

Yeah, it's great enough when neighborhoods are active enough to have a bustling National Night Out once a year, but downright incredible that others can have them monthly or even weekly! That's really something special.

There is something really neat about the guy holding the pizza oven parties in his backyard. Such a fun thing for everyone of all ages to have en excuse to get together for. A community oven in Prospect Park sounds like a great idea. Another reason to draw people together into the park. I bet that would go well at a place like Powderhorn park too.

It's just very encouraging to know that there are some neighborhoods out there like this.

[golfgal]

We just have neighbors over for beer on the deck or hang out in the front yards while the little kids in the neighborhood run around and play. There are a couple block party things that happen too but mostly, we are just neighbors and watch out for each other...

[katmu]

I live in Waite Park in Northeast Minneapolis, and my block along with the street behind me is very much like the one in the article. We do cookouts usually at least once per summer plus National Night Out. Most of my neighbor's are pretty neighborly and good about watching out for each other.

[WoodburyWoody]

On nights in the summer, sometimes I have to thread quite slowly the final block into the cul-de-sac where I live because so many neighbors and kids are in the street, parents talking/playing that beanbag game and kids playing street hockey, riding bikes/scooters/skateboards, playing catch, etc. Dogs out on leashes. On Friday nights, I will have multiple offers for a beer before I get my car in the driveway.

It is like something out of a Hollywood movie in my section of Woodbury. In our old neighborhood, people hung out in their back yards if out at all. In this neighborhood, everybody takes it out to the front. When the weather is nice - even not so nice - lots of kids playing in front yards and always a parent or two kind of keeping watch on it all (usually joining in).

We've starting having outdoor movies in our yard, too.

[Mason3000]

Let me tell you a story of how I accidentally put a turd in the block party punchbowl.

I had just moved into the Nokomis area by Keywadin Park. There was a small block party on our block where my family met a few neighbors, but I could hear a roar on the next block over so i got curious and walked over to check it out. Some nice guy offered me a beer so I had one. As I drank it, we chatted for a couple minutes & he introduced me to a couple other people. One of them insisted I have a bratwurst, so I did. I got to chatting with a nice lady who gave me a ticket to their raffle. I declined but the lady had some wine in her, was insistent & seemed to be one of the block party organizers, so I said "Thanks" & forgot about it. Then my wife & kids came around to corner to see here I'd gone. Soon my kids were playing with other kids & life was great. Then they asked everyone to gather around for the big raffle. My wife & kids showed me their raffle tickets that the lady had given them also! And then they called my name.

There were 5 prizes. I won the first prize announced. A gift certificate to a local salon. I was asked to step forward & everyone applauded as they handed me the envelope. I was kind of embarrassed & was thinking "What if we win another one?". Then someone else won something. Then my family proceeded to win the following three prizes. Four out of five total. Each time I stepped up there, the clapping decreased by about 20%. Each time I tried to decline, but people were still insisting. I'd won, fair & square! It was like it was happening in slow motion. When it was over I said "Listen, we can't take all your prizes. Really, I'm just not comfortable with this. You folks have been very nice, & we really appreciate your hospitality, but we're going to head home now". Then someone asked which house I lived in & I said "I'm at 53XX on the next street over.". Suddenly some people had their hands on their waists & "WTF, this guy doesn't even live here?!" looks on their faces. Luckily they were the minority, as the majority had alternately "Wow, I didn't see this coming" & "God this awkward" looks. I insisted they take their prizes back & give them to people who live on their street, but by now it had turned f'ing weird. They insisted I keep the first prize, but accepted the others back. I thought that was more than fair. We never walked down that street again.