Shorewood, Minnesota is in southwestern Hennepin County, on the south shores of Lake Minnetonka. Incorporated in 1956, Shorewood was previously part of Excelsior Township, along with the nearby cities of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, and Tonka Bay.
Other cities abutting Shorewood include Chanhassen and Victoria.
Shorewood also includes the Lake Minnetonka islands of Spray, Shady, and the eastern portion of Enchanted, although these islands are usually accessed from Mound, from which residents receive postal services, fire protection, and schools.
Most of Christmas Lake, Silver Lake, and Lake William are in Shorewood, and a small portion along the southern part of Galpin Lake is within the city. Lakes that are wholly within the city include include Como Lake and Mary Lake. Shorewood includes a long stretch of shoreline on Lake Minnetonka.
Local parks include Badger Park, Freeman Park, Manor Park, Silverwood Park, and South Shore Community Park. Badger Park includes a turf football and lacrosse field, tennis courts, and a playground. Freeman Park has two playgrounds, fields for Babe Ruth baseball, Little League baseball, and softball, as well as a soccer field, skating rink, and sand volleyball court. A playground, tennis court, sand volleyball court, softball field, and skating rink are available at Manor Park. Silverwood Park has a playground, practice tennis court, basketball court, and sledding hill. South Shore Community Park features a community garden.
The main roads serving the city is Minnesota State Highway 7. Others include Hazeltine Boulevard and Manitou Road.
The history of Shorewood is centered around Lake Minnetonka. Until 1822, the lake was known only to the Native Americans. In the 1850s, the Treaty of Mendota provided white settlers with access to large stretches of the Minnesota Territory, including Lake Minnetonka, and development around the lake was high in the late 1800s, as streamboats gave access to the lake.
In 1853, settlers established the city of Excelsior out of the region that was previously known as Excelsior Township. Not long afterward, the other towns that made up Excelsior Township began splitting off to form their own cities, including Deephaven, Tonka Bay, and Shorewood.
As part of the Lake Minnetonka area, Shorewood was a popular tourist destination in the late 1800s, with hotels for vacationers, and summer homes along the waterfront. State Highway 7 and the railroad made access to the area by land easier. Shorewood incorporated as a village in 1956 in order to avoid annexation by one of its neighbors, and became a city in 1974. In recent years, the city has developed into a high-end residential community. In 2016, Shorewood was reported to be the wealthiest city in Minnesota.
The focus of this category is on Shorewood, Minnesota. Websites representing the municipal government or any of its departments, programs, or services, as well as local schools, places of worship, sports and recreational programs or facilities, organizations, businesses, or individuals, are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
Hosted by Excelsior, Shorewood, and Tonka Bay, the annual multi-day winter event is held in Shorewood, Minnesota. Highlights and a schedule of upcoming events are put forth, and registrations may be made online. Announcements and updates are published to the site. Confirmed sponsors are acknowledged, and sponsorship opportunities are posted to the site, along with volunteer opportunities and contacts. An interactive map shows the location of the various activities.
http://www.arcticfever.net/
Christmas Lake Homeowner's Association
Christmas Lake is situated east of Excelsior on Minnesota State Highway 7, with part of the lake in Shorewood, and the other part in Chanhassen. The HOA is an organization formed for the purpose of marketing, managing, and selling homes and lots along the lake area. Its board of directors, bylaws, and meeting minutes are provided, along with galleries of photos of the lake, loons, and other area wildlife, as well as a calendar of events, historical comments, and announcements.
http://www.christmaslake.org/
Although its mailing address is in Excelsior, MES is actually located in Shorewood, on Smithtown Road. Operated by Minnetonka Public Schools, the school enrolls children from kindergarten through the fifth grade. A welcome from the principal, staff directory, and school news are published, along with an overview of the school, regular school schedules, and information about its after-school program and sponsored activities.
https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/elementary/minnewashta
Located on Smithtown Road in Shorewood, Minnesota, the car dealership carries a selection of used cars, trucks, and SUVs. Its inventory may be browsed online or searched by body style, make, model, or maximum price. Photos, descriptions, asking prices, and other details are provided. Its location is shown on a map, and its schedules and hours of operation are included. Finance options and customer testimonials are featured.
https://www.shorewoodautosales.com/
Shorewood Community & Event Center
Purchased by the City of Shorewood in 2017, the Center offers classes, youth programming, adult enrichment, and senior programs, and it also available for rent. Schedules of activities and events are published, along with its facility rental policies and fees, online registration for programs requiring registration, and contact data. Contributions toward the operation of the facility may be made online.
http://www.southshore-center.org/
Shorewood Landing Senior Living
Offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care for seniors, the Shorewood, Minnesota facility is managed by Ebenezer, Minnesota's largest senior living operator. A drone video of the facilities and several photographs are presented, highlighting the facilities, and its services, options, amenities, and programs are discussed. Volunteer and employment opportunities are posted to the site.
https://www.shorewoodsenior.com/
Incorporated in 1956, the city was incorporated from an area that was previously Excelsior Township. The official municipal website offers a brief history and profile of the city, and posts city council agendas and minutes, information about its planning and building codes, and a guide to local parks, community centers, and other services. New residents may request a recycling chart from the city, and a calendar of events is included.
http://ci.shorewood.mn.us/
South Lake Minnetonka Police Department
Headquartered in Shorewood, Minnesota, the police department serves the cities of Excelsior, Greenwood, Sherwood, and Tonka Bay, Minnesota. Its responsibilities, services, and service area is defined, and an organizational profile, budget process, and employment opportunities are posted, and its chief, coordinating committee, and contacts are featured. Meeting schedules, agendas, and its policies on touring the facilities are included.
https://southlakepd.com/
