LAKE MINNETONKA
LAKE MINNETONKA
COMMUNITY GUIDE 2025
Minnetonka: A taste of western suburbs
Minnetonka is one of the largest cities in the West Metro, boasting close to 54,000 people a mere 10 miles from Minneapolis.
The city features a scenic shoreline on Libbs Lake, close to half of Gray’ s Bay and pieces of Wayzata Bay. Minnetonka can call much of the eastern shores of Lake Minnetonka, one of the largest lakes in Minnesota, their own.
During the summer months, Gray’ s Bay Marina is a popular place to be for boaters. The east end of Gray’ s Bay includes a small park highlighting the headwaters of the Minnehaha Creek, which serves as the outlet for Lake Minnetonka. When it comes to outdoor adventure and nature access, the headwaters, the Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Bike Trail as well as a host of wooded walking trails and parks serve both residents and visitors.
Inside the city, the crown of the largest commercial hub goes to the Ridgedale area. Buoyed by the Ridgedale Center, a 1.1 million-square-foot mall containing about 140 tenants, including department stores like Macy’ s, Nordstrom, JCPenney and Dick’ s Sporting Goods and dining opportunities like the Cheesecake Factory, Redstone, The Tavern Grill and Kona Grill.
Outside the mall includes the new community park Ridgedale Commons, ripe for city activity, as well as Crane Lake Preserve. While the city hosts large employers like Cargill, United-
Health Group and Carlson Companies, the neighborhoods of Minnetonka Mills, Glen Lake and Minnehaven also bring young entrepreneurs to town for other ventures like breweries and restaurants.
Across from the city’ s community center, residents can purchase a membership and exercise at the city-owned Williston Fitness Center. The Marsh Fitness Center, purchased by the city in February 2023, also provides another membership-based option for health and wellness.
Minnetonka’ s City Hall serves as a home base for municipal government. Residents not only find the mayor and their council members there, but can also gather for events like the farmers market, community get-togethers throughout the calendar year and opportunities at the senior center.
The Minnetonka City Council includes the mayor and six council members, all serving four-year terms. Meetings take place at 6:30 p. m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month, unless otherwise noted. The same council also acts as the Economic Development Authority, making decisions regarding economic development, housing and redevelopment matters.
The city is served by Hopkins, Minnetonka and Wayzata school districts. The majority of students attend either Hopkins or Minnetonka schools.
For more information regarding city events, news and meetings, visit minnetonkamn. gov.
LAKE MINNETONKA | COMMUNITY GUIDE | 2025 | 9