Union Park, Saint Paul facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Union Park
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The campus of the University of St. Thomas.
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| Nickname(s):
Merriam Park
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Ramsey |
| City | Saint Paul |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 17,901 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 651 |
| Website | http://unionparkdc.org/ |
Union Park is a neighborhood in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was formed by joining several older neighborhoods. These include Merriam Park, Snelling-Hamline, parts of Midway, Densoyer Park, and Lexington-Hamline.
Union Park has clear borders. University Avenue is to the north. Lexington Parkway is on the east. Summit Avenue forms the southern border. The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is to the west. Even after joining, many of the original neighborhoods, like Lexington-Hamline and Merriam Park, still keep their unique feel.
Contents
Exploring Union Park's Past
The first part of Union Park to be settled was Merriam Park. This area got its name from John L. Merriam. He was a local person who invested in real estate.
How Merriam Park Grew
Merriam Park was one of the first "streetcar suburbs" in the city. A streetcar suburb is a neighborhood that grows around a public transportation stop. This one grew near a depot on what is now the Canadian Pacific Railway's Merriam Park Subdivision. John Merriam thought this neighborhood would be perfect for important people from both downtown Saint Paul and downtown Minneapolis. It was located about halfway between the two downtown areas.
In the late 1800s, people thought about building the Cathedral of Saint Paul or the Minnesota State Capitol here. But these plans did not happen. Instead, the area became a home for business people and their families.
Community Life and Challenges
Streetcar lines helped the neighborhood grow even more. These lines ran along Marshall Avenue, Selby Avenue, and Snelling Avenue. The community became very close-knit. Many families were Catholic and attended St. Mark's Church.
The neighborhood stayed strong until the mid-1900s. Then, plans to build a section of Interstate 94 through the area caused a big stir. People in the community worked hard to stop the freeway. Even though the freeway was built where planned, the fight brought the community together. It led to the creation of strong neighborhood groups. Many of these groups are still active today.
Fighting for the Neighborhood
The community's fight against the freeway focused on a plan for an exit at Prior Avenue. This street was mostly residential. It had parks, schools, and St. Mark's Church. Because the area was home to many middle-class families, the neighborhood had more success. They were better at getting their goals met than other neighborhoods. These included Rondo and Prospect Park. Those areas had people from more mixed backgrounds. Important leaders helped fight the interchange. These included Archbishop William Brady and Senators Hubert Humphrey and Eugene McCarthy.
Forming Union Park Today
Before 2007, Union Park was split into three smaller neighborhood groups. These groups were much smaller than most other neighborhood councils in Saint Paul. To make funding fairer across the city, the three neighborhoods joined together. They took the name Union Park. The non-profit group that represents Union Park today still includes many people from these older groups. Most of those original groups are still active.
What's in a Name? Union Park's Origin
The name Union Park originally belonged to a large recreation area. It was located where University and Lynnhurst Avenues meet in Saint Paul, Minnesota. This park was also called Lake Iris Park. It opened in 1880. This was shortly after the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad's "Short Line" route was finished.
The park had many fun things to do. There was a bowling alley, a bandstand, and a dance hall. It also had a carousel, a zoo, and an observation tower. By 1884, the amusement park closed down. The land was then divided into lots for homes. The neighborhood that grew there was also named Union Park. Today, all that is left of Lake Iris is Iris Park. It is a small public space with an artificial pond.
Getting Around Union Park
Union Park has good public transportation. The METRO Green Line light rail serves the neighborhood. It opened on June 14, 2014. There are stops on University Avenue at Fairview Avenue, Snelling Avenue, Hamline Avenue, and Lexington Parkway.
The A Line bus rapid transit system also runs through the district. It travels along Snelling Avenue.
