The Keewaydin neighborhood is located on the south portion of Minneapolis, and within the Nokomis community. Keewaydin neighborhood derived its name from an Ojibwe legend stated in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, The Song of Hiawatha. “Keewaydin” is Ojibwe for “northwest wind”, or “the home wind”. Tree-lined streets with smaller homes in an assortment of architectural types are typical in this area. The beautiful and radiant neighborhood is home to around 3,000 residents, all of which enjoy the amenities that Keewaydin has to offer. The housing styles consist of cozy single-family homes on small lots. Most of the homes were built between 1920 and 1960 and were constructed as bungalows, mini-Tudors, with occasional one-story ranch styles.

Morris Park is a part of the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association. Every year, NENA puts on several community wide events. The annual NENA garage sale brings buyers and sellers together for a neighborhood wide sale. Whether you’re looking to clean out the basement or seeking reasonably priced hidden treasures, this is the event for everyone. Another event held in early fall is the Monarch Festival. The festival offers everything from food, music, and dance, to Monarch and habitat education, to hands-on art and native plant sales, all while highlighting the Minnesota-Mexico connection and celebrating the Monarch butterfly’s amazing 2,300 mile migration. The Night Before New Year’s Eve celebration on December 30th, is a family-oriented, free event, that offers parents and kids a chance to celebrate the coming New Year a night early. The celebration includes food, carnival games, live music, marshmallow roasting over a bonfire, hayrides, a photo booth, the famous Nokomis Fish Pond, a “midnight” (7:55pm) countdown complete with noisemakers and much more.

Nokomis Library was built in 1956 and modernized in 2011 containing Minnesota limestone. It serves the Nokomis community in south Minneapolis. The building was initially intended to replicate its legendary surroundings, as told in the classic Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem, “The Song of Hiawatha”. The library is named for Nokomis, one of fictitious characters in the poem. It is a member of the Hennepin County Library System. A library system that is consistently ranked in the top 10 libraries nationwide, residents have access to all of the books and resources that are a part of this network through an interlibrary loan program.

With traditional recipes handed down through the generations, the Dominguez restaurant will provide an experience of authentic Mexican cooking that’s at its finest. The food is carefully prepared using the freshest ingredients and ageless methods. At Dominguez, one will find a great selection of Mexican dishes at an affordable price. Dominguez also carries a variety of Mexican beers as well as an extensive assortment of fine wines. For those looking to have a good start to their morning, they need to look no further than Nokomis Beach Coffee. Nokomis Beach Coffee is located near Lake Nokomis and offers a wide range of coffee drinks and breakfast items. What makes the store unique is its atmosphere. With a location on a street corner and outdoor seating, Nokomis Beach Coffee is a very relaxing and cozy destination. Another breakfast option is the Mel-O-Glaze Bakery. Located on the northern side of the neighborhood, the Mel-O-Glaze Bakery specializes in donuts. Known specifically for their traditional glazed donut and their apple fritters, the Mel-O-Glaze bakery is another great breakfast destination.

The Keewaydin neighborhood contains two parks. They include:

Keewaydin Park: Keewaydin Park is attached to the local elementary school making it ideal for younger families. The park is 4 acres in size and offers a wealth of amenities for visitors to enjoy. Amenities include a picnic area, playground, soccer field, softball fields, walking paths and a wading pool. The smaller size and relaxed nature of this park make it perfect for visitors of all ages and interests, especially during the warmer months.

Lake Nokomis Park: The Keewaydin neighborhood contains the majority of Lake Nokomis Park. A massive park at over 400 acres, Lake Nokomis Park services the Diamond Lake, Hale, Keewaydin, and Wenonah neighborhoods. Amenities at the park are seemingly endless and include baseball and softball fields, biking and walking paths, a decorative fountain, fishing piers, football and soccer fields, pickleball and tennis courts, a playground, picnic areas with a grill, a pond hockey rink, and public art sculptures throughout. Additionally, visitors can make use of the lake. Lake Nokomis is one of only three sailing lakes in Minneapolis and also offers boat and canoe access. The park has several swimming beaches along the lake’s shores which are wildly popular during the summer months. A great destination for all ages and interests, Lake Nokomis Park is a wonderful park to visit year-round

If you have any questions regarding the city of Minneapolis, the Nokomis community, or if you would like to sell or buy a house in the area, please feel free to visit Twin Cities Property Finder or call 1-800-909-1953.