1. North Hennepin Community College
City: Brooklyn Park, MN
Category: Education
Telephone: (763) 488-0391 or (800) 818-03
Address: 7411 85th Ave. North
Description: North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) serves the northern Twin Cities. The 80-acre campus has an annual enrollment of more than 9,000 students. NHCC has many liberal arts programs, which earn credit toward bachelor degrees. Associate in arts (A.A.) and associate in science (A.S.) are transferable to all Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) schools as well as the University of Minnesota. Also offered at NHCC are career-oriented programs, such as nursing and accounting, and professional development and enhancement classes. Continuing education is another important part of NHCC’s mission; it is reflected in the 6,600 students enrolled in continuing education programs there.
2. Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park
City: Brooklyn Park, MN
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (763) 694-7790
Address: 10360 West River Rd.
Description: Situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, the 610-acre Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park offers visitors the chance to see our nation’s greatest river up close. The centerpiece of this large park is the refurbished Coon Rapids Dam, which spans the Mississippi River. A wide dam walkway, usable by pedestrians, bicyclists, and in-line skaters, allows visitors a unique opportunity to walk across a working dam, with a scenic view of the riverway above and below the dam.The stunning Native Prairie Restoration Area is on the nearby banks of the river, just past the visitor center entrance and extending to the picnic plaza. The park has two well-developed and conveniently linked and accessible asphalt bike/hike trails—all part of the extensive Mississippi River Trail Corridor that leads users south into Anoka Regional Park and eventually connects users with the Minneapolis Parkway Trail System at Boom Island and the Heritage Trail at historic Main Street in Minneapolis.
3. Brooklyn Park Farmers’ Market
City: Brooklyn Park, MN
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (763) 493-8154
Address: 5200 85th Ave.
Description: Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Wed, late June to mid-Oct.
4. Grand Rios
City: Brooklyn Park, MN
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (763) 566-8855
Address: 6900 Lakeland Ave. North
Description: Grand Rios is located inside the Grand Rios Hotel in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park. At 45,000 square feet, it’s one of the biggest indoor water parks in this neck of the woods. Grand Rios is a Caribbean-themed affair with water basketball, spas, a lazy river, a 500-gallon dumping bucket, and multiple tube slide, one of which dumps into Hurricane Plunge. Check the Water Park Calendar on the Web site, as the prices fluctuate dramatically depending on what day and at what time you’d like to visit.