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Many Neighborhoods, One Community
Union Park is an area of Saint Paul between the Mississippi River and Lexington Avenue, and University and Summit Avenues, including the Merriam Park, Snelling-Hamline, and Lexington-Hamline neighborhoods. Those three neighborhood councils merged in 2007 to form the Union Park District Council, which is one of 17 planning councils in the city of Saint Paul.
Although the city has prescribed the makeup of the Union Park District Council, many people within our community strongly identify as members of a particular smaller neighborhood. This longstanding neighborhood loyalty is one of the things that make our community great.
Learn about the history of Union Park and explore the links below for more information:
Neighborhoods within Union Park
DESNOYER PARK
Platted in 1887, the historic Desnoyer Park neighborhood lies between Mississippi River Blvd., Marshall, Cretin, and St. Anthony Avenues, and the Town and Country Club on Otis Avenue. The Desnoyer Park Improvement Association works to better the neighborhood, and has representation on the Union Park Board.
IRIS PARK
Nestled between University, Prior and Fairview Avenues, and bordered on the south by I-94, Iris Park is a unique neighborhood named after its park, which boasts one of the most beautiful artificial ponds in the city. The neighborhood enjoys easy access to the Green Line at the Fairview Station, and hosts Episcopal Homes, a continuum of care campus for seniors.
Read an article about Iris Park here.
LEXINGTON-HAMLINE
The Lex-Ham neighborhood is bounded by University Avenue, Lexington Parkway, and Summit and Hamline Avenues. The Lexington-Hamline Community Council was established in 1969 as the first neighborhood organization in Saint Paul. It continues to be the cornerstone for organizing and serving the residents living in this neighborhood, and has representation on our Board.
MIDWAY
Union Park includes the area between University Avenue and I-94 from Lexington to Fairview Avenues. Commonly known as part of the Midway, this highly commercial neighborhood borders the Green Line light rail and is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and services, and includes the Minnesota United Major League Soccer stadium, Allianz Field.
MERRIAM PARK
Constituting a large portion of the Union Park area, the Merriam Park neighborhood lies west of Snelling Avenue and stretches west to the park that bears its name. Merriam Park was actually one of the Twin Cities’ first suburbs, located a couple of trolley stops outside of early Saint Paul.
SHADOW FALLS
Shadow Falls Park, at 30 Mississippi River Boulevard, gives this residential area, located between the University of St. Thomas and the Mississippi River, its name.
SNELLING-HAMLINE
Between Snelling and Hamline Avenues and bordered by University and Summit Avenues, the Snelling-Hamline neighborhood maintains a distinct identity for its residents.