Three Rivers Park District Closes Deal on Kingswood Property in Minnetrista

It’s official: Three Rivers Park District owns the Kingswood property in Minnetrista. The closing on the property took place on June 27.

The property consists of 106 acres of land on Little Long Lake in Minnetrista. The Minnesota United Methodist Church had operated a camp on the property (Camp Kingswood) since 1947, but closed the camp and offered the property for sale in 2012. Late in 2012, the Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners voted to purchase the property, which includes 70 percent of the shoreline of Little Long Lake as well as a tamarack bog and a 25-acre prairie.

“This property is a true gem in suburban Hennepin County, and I’m proud that Three Rivers Park District will be able to preserve it for future generations,” said Board Chair John Gunyou. “This land has it all — a high-quality lake, woods, prairie, and even a tamarack bog — and I know it’ll quickly become a treasured part of the Three Rivers system.”

The property is classified as a “Special Recreation Feature,” which means that it contains unique natural resources that will be conserved and managed by the Park District and that appropriate access will be created to allow for public enjoyment and understanding of these resources. The property will not be open for public access in 2013. A plan for interim uses is expected to be announced in 2014.