A high level of connectedness between St. Anthony Park residents is one of the community’s strongest assets. The basis for and strength of these connections is due to a healthy mix of institutions, community services, green space and physical design. In this respect, St. Anthony Park is similar to a tightly knit small town.
The neighborhoods and small commercial districts of St. Anthony Park are the quintessential example of good “new urbanist” design. By their very nature, the mixed housing types, neighborhood parks, general pedestrian orientation and neighborhood commercial services are integrated into and scaled appropriately to facilitate spontaneous human connections. Additionally, there is a wealth of community amenities that encourage more directed human connections. The University of Minnesota and Luther Seminary provide substantial open green spaces and programs for the community. Their faculty, staff and students play significant roles as residents and community members. The St. Anthony Park Public Library is a landmark and landscape focus for the neighborhood, as well as for programs of intellectual growth.
St. Anthony Park Elementary and Murray Junior High schools receive consistently high rankings and are a source of community pride. They also provide an important socializing process for children and community social space for adults. Despite this, the percentage of students from District 12 is declining due to the general decline of school age children living in the community.
In addition to these institutions, community services such as the Block Nurse program, the Music in the Park series, the St. Anthony Park Community Foundation and those offered by a wide range of faith-based organizations offer many opportunities to connect people and reinforce the community’s social character.
However, changing demographics may reduce the need for these services thus reducing the opportunities for connection. The decline in the number of children and the decline in household size are two concerning trends. Empty nesters tend to stay in their homes, reducing housing turnover and opportunities for new families with children to move into the community.
The development of large new housing developments such as Emerald Gardens, are important new additions to the community’s housing mix. Such projects tend to attract professionals or students as renters and bolster demand for consumer oriented local businesses. However, large residential development structures tend to isolate residents from “street life” and the community at large. The challenge is to integrate these new residents into the social fabric of St. Anthony Park.
