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Richfield

Richfield is a historic small town right on the edge of south Minneapolis. Originally a rich farming community, Richfield received its name for its fertile soil and popularity with farmers. Over time, it became a major location for housing due to its proximity to the city and beautiful location by the river. Today, Richfield continues that farm-town tradition of a thriving first-ring suburb, with a rich economy (home to Best Buy and other businesses), conveniently close to the excitement of downtown Minneapolis, located in a safe and beautiful suburban environment.

That suburban environment is truly beautiful. 100 years ago it featured the richest soil in Minnesota. Today it still features that rich soil, but now that rich farmland has transformed into a town featuring 500 acres of parkland spread out over 21 parks and a nature preserve. The Wood Lake Nature Center features 150 acres of parkland, wetlands, trails and an interpretive center. The center serves as a home for 250 kinds of birds and 30 kinds of mammals, making it a great spot for nature lovers and bird watchers. The city’s beautiful location on fertile soil near the Minnesota and the Mississippi River makes it a great place to buy a home.

That beautiful environment gives Richfield a distinctive small-town charm that might be unusual for a first-ring suburb. To quote the city council, “Even lying as it does in the middle of an urban area (only ten minutes away by freeway from downtown Minneapolis), Richfield retains a small town flavor. The pace is easy, the streets are clean, City government is accessible, and community spirit runs high. Strong residential neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an established infrastructure and amenities like Wood Lake Nature Center make it a community attractive to all ages.”

But there are more reasons to buy a home in Richfield than simply it’s beautiful location – Richfield homes are also in a great location for business. Although Richfield is a suburb, its economy boasts the growth and employment opportunities of a city. Ever since Best Buy Company, Inc. moved its corporate headquarters into Richfield in 2003, the city has experienced a boom in employment opportunities. Total employment in Richfield was just over 10,000 in 1995; by 2005, that number had increased by 50% up to over 15,000. Employment continues to boom, as the city’s other large employers, Target, GMAC ResCap and Metro Sales, Inc., continue to grow.

But even if there weren’t a lot going on in Richfield, its proximity to everything in Minneapolis would more than make up for it. Although Richfield has a quaint small-town feel, it does border Minneapolis, making it a short trip to nearly anywhere in Minneapolis. Downtown performances at the Guthrie theatre or the Ordway, as well sports attractions Target field or the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, are only a ten-minute drive from Richfield homes. Concerts, festivals, restaurants and all the other attractions of the city are all within short reach from the cozy small-town feel of Richfield.

So when you stop and consider Richfield’s beautiful location near the fertile banks of the Minnesota River, its booming economy with one of the largest corporations in America, and its proximity to Minneapolis and all it has to offer, it’s no wonder why so many people choose to buy a home in Richfield. Buying a home in Richfield means a perfect balance between urban excitement and suburban beauty, and as an added bonus means being able to find work right in your home town. Richfield homes have all this and much more to offer.

Richfield Schools

Richfield is served by an excellent public school system and is home to a number of private schools, alternative education programs, and colleges. Public schools in the area include the following:

• Centennial Elementary
• Sheridan Elementary
• Richfield Intermediate School
• Richfield Middle School
• Richfield High School

For more information on these schools, visit Independent School District 280 at http://www.richfield.k12.mn.us/.

Richfield is also served by five private schools:

• Academy of Holy Angels, a Catholic high school
• Fraser School, and early childhood education center
• Blessed Trinity Catholic School
• Mount Calvary Lutheran School
• Minnesota Japanese School

Richfield is also served by three post-secondary schools: Globe University/Minnesota School of Business, Adler Graduate School, and Minnesota Life College.

Richfield Hotspots

Restaurants

1. Patrick’s Bakery and Café: Patrick’s is home to delicious food and baked goods for purchase. The desserts are to die for, but don’t underestimate this place for lunches or breakfasts and dinners!
2. El Tejaban Mexican Grill: Authentic, delicious Mexican food finds a great home at El Tejaban. Prices are agreeable, service is excellent and the food is tasty. Margaritas make for a great happy hour as well!
3. Fireside Pizza: Fireside has been around in Richfield since 1960, and continues its tradition of delicious pizzas with generous toppings for low prices today. A great family atmosphere and great values make Fireside a family favorite.
4. Vina Vietnamese Restaurant: Great service, huge portions, and agreeable prices are all second to delicious pho and spicy chicken and egg rolls. Vina is definitely worth a visit, if not daily lunch.
5. Khan’s Mongolian Barbeque: Great buffet good with a wide selection and very reasonable prices make this a great stop for any time of the day.

Entertainment

1. The Mall of America: Minnesota’s biggest tourist attraction brings millions of visitors each year from all over the world. The Mall of America remains the largest shopping mall in America and features an entire theme park, restaurants, activities, and of course, shopping, all just minutes away in Bloomington.
2. Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium: The aquarium is the perfect destination for family fun and makes a great date spot as well. With over 10,000 sea creatures, including sharks, sea turtles, rays, jellyfish, seahorses and more, visitors are sure to have an exciting time.
3. AMC Theatres – Southdale 16: Those who want to avoid the parking and crowds at the Mall of America’s movie theatres have a great option in Southdale’s 16 large, clean theatres.
4. The Water Park of America: America’s biggest indoor water park soars almost 100 feet above the Minneapolis-St. Paul skyline and features a wave pool, a flow riding simulator, a ten-story high and mile-long family raft ride, and, for those looking for relaxation rather than adventure, a spa and restaurants as well.
5. Bryant Lake Bowl: This bowling alley is great for dates and parties, and its restaurant features great food and delicious local beers. Come for the bowling, stay for the drinks and entertainment.

Leisure

1. Adventure Gardens Mini Golf: 18 holes of miniature golf are here surrounded by gardens, waterfalls, streams, and ponds.
2. Fort Snelling: This historic fort marks the birthplace of modern Minnesota and is a wonderful spot for families and for visitors looking to learn more about our own history.
3. Wood Lake Nature Center: The nature center features beautiful walking trails across the lake as well as informative programs that are great for kids or for a nice day out.
4. Minnesota Zoo: The Zoo, located in nearby Apple Valley, feature hundreds of kinds of animals for visitors and is both an educational and exciting way to spend time with family, friend and loved ones.
5. Donaldson Park: Donaldson park features 24 acres of parkland and is home to four tennis courts, a football field, two baseball fields, two basketball courts, two skating rinks, one hockey rink, a playground, and walking trails.

Churches

1. Oak Grove Lutheran Church
2. Hope Presbyterian Church
3. Bethany Covenant Church
4. Southview Baptist Church
5. Church of Christ
6. St. Richard’s Catholic Church

Richfield Community Events

Richfield is a thriving community, and there is always an event, festival, or performance available for families and homeowners to enjoy. And when there isn’t an event going on in Richfield, there are always events in Minneapolis. Here is a sample list of events:

• Concerts in the Park, held through the summer on Thursday evenings, hosts free live music for families and homeowners.
• Throughout the year, the Richfield Art Center hosts events, classes, and art showings.
• The Richfield Farmers Market, the third largest in the Twin Cities area, hosts live music and a huge variety of local, organic food vendors

For more information on Richfield community events, visit http://www.cityofrichfield.org/Recreation/index.htm.

Richfield Parks and Lakes

Richfield is home to 500 acres of parkland spread out over 21 parks and a nature preserve, each with its own unique recreational amenities. Some of the popular parks in the area include the following:

• Donaldson Park features 24 acres of parkland and is home to four tennis courts, a football field, two baseball fields, two basketball courts, two skating rinks, one hockey rink, a playground, and walking trails.
• Christian Park is 11 acres and features a park building, six large tennis courts, two playgrounds, a basketball court, a hockey rink and a pleasure skating rink.
• Jefferson Park, while only four acres in size, features a park building, two tennis courts, a softball field, a playground, a basketball court, a hockey rink, a pleasure skating rink and a volleyball court.
• Fairwood Park has two tennis courts and a horseshoe court.

For more information on these four parks and the other seventeen parks, visit http://www.cityofrichfield.org/Recreation/parkinfo.htm.