July 5, 2007: Palmer Lake Park Hike (Brooklyn Center)

July 5, 2007: Palmer Lake Park Hike (Brooklyn Center)

Join the hiking group for a hike through the municipal park adjoining Palmer Lake in Brooklyn Center. Palmer Lake is the city’s largest natural environmental preserve and the Palmer Lake area contains more than 200 acres. Brooklyn Center was first settled in 1852, after the federal government opened up the territory west of the Mississippi River to homesteading. In late 1853 and early 1854, settlers from Michigan staked claim to this area and named it Brooklyn Township, after their home territory of Brooklyn, Michigan. Brooklyn Center was incorporated as a village in 1911, from part of southeastern Brooklyn Township and eastern Crystal Lake Township. It developed first as a truck garden area, gradually becoming a residential suburb. Much of the city was originally the Earle Brown farm, which was deeded to the city on Brown’s death in 1969. Brown had been the sheriff of Hennepin County and a chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. Palmer Lake is the only lake directly associated with Shingle Creek, which flows about 11 miles before discharging into the Mississippi River, although the watershed area include Bass Lake, Cedar Island Lake, Crystal Lake, Eagle Lake, Magda Lake, Meadow Lake, Pomerleau Lake, Ryan Lake, Twin Lakes and Schmidt Lake. In January, 2005, bow hunters reduced the park’s deer population by 20 animals. Brooklyn Center rehabilitated the Palmer Lake walking and biking trails in 2005.

If driving: From I-694 north of downtown Minneapolis and west of the Mississippi River, take the Shingle Creek Parkway exit. Proceed north on Shingle Creek Parkway about 1/8th mile to Freeway Boulevard and turn east (right) and then proceed approximately 1/4th mile to Humboldt Avenue North and turn north (left). Proceed north on Humboldt Avenue North approximately 1/2 mile to 69th Avenue North and turn west (left), and then after traveling approximately 1/2 mile on 69th Avenue North, turn north (right) onto Oliver Avenue North and proceed north to East Palmer Lake Park. Meet in the parking lot by the lake.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 22. The closest bus service point appears to be along Shingle Creek Parkway. Applicable Metro Transit Map / Bus Schedule information

Interested hikers will reassemble after the hike at a nearby restaurant (Barnacle Bill’s Steak & Seafood, 6440 James Circle North, Brooklyn Center) after the hike for dessert or dinner.

Map to hike start point: Oliver Ave N At 69th Ave N

Palmer Lake trail map

Another Palmer Lake Park map

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This page was last updated on July 5, 2007.