The City of Lino Lakes covers an area of 33 square miles on the north side of the Twin Cities in Anoka County. The pristine 2,700-acre Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve is situated within the heart of the city, guaranteeing that the area will maintain its natural settings and wildlife habitats for years to come. While residents are attracted to the city because of its natural amenities, including 13 lakes and several seasonal wetlands, Interstate I-35E and I-35W make it just a 20-minute drive to either downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul. The city's population as of May 25, 2006 was estimated to be 19,736 (per Metropolitan Council Research).

When the first settlers arrived here, Native Americans were already making their home in the area where Reshanau, Baldwin, Rice and Marshan Lakes cluster. The Dakota Indians found this to be a land of plenty, with wild rice and an abundance of small game. Today, several Indian burial grounds are still located in the area. White hunters and trappers began coming to this area from Canada and the eastern states around 1850. Those who settled on the west side of the lake had names like Ramsden, Speiser and Wenzel. Those who settled on the east side of the lake included the Cardinals, LaMottes, Houles and Dupres. Many of their descendants still live in the area today. The first unit of local government, the township of Centerville, was organized August 11, 1857, encompassing an area of 36 square miles. The population of just under 300 was organized into three loosely knit communities, the "German settlement" west of the lakes, the "Swede settlement" south of the lakes, and the "French settlement" east of the lakes. In the 1950s neighboring villages started annexing land away from Centerville Township. To protect the boundaries and allow for the financing of public improvements, the residents of the township voted to incorporate into a village. Several names were suggested for the new village, and most contained the word "lakes". Although the origin of the word "lino" is unknown, a Lino post office operated for about 10 years in the late 1800s. The town board decided to name the new village "Lino Lakes." On May 11, 1955, the Village of Lino Lakes was incorporated. It covered the original Centerville Township, with the exception of the Village of Centerville, and was comprised of 21,000 acres of land and 1,800 citizens. In 1972, the State Legislature passed a law changing all Minnesota villages to cities, hence Lino Lakes' current status.

Please download the Lino Lakes resident guide below for further information.

Schools:

Lino Lakes students attend one of three school districts. The school districts that service Lino Lakes are Centennial Schools, Forest Lake School, and White Bear Lake Schools. Please download the school district boundary map below to determine which school district will service your address.

Centennial

Centennial School District has an Early Childhood Center, five kindergarten through 5th grade elementary schools,one 6-8 grade middle school, one 9-12 two-building high school, one Area Learning Center,and offers ABE/GED services at ACE (Adult Continuing Education).

Early Childhood:

Centennial Early Childhood Center

Elementary

Blue Heron Elementary

Centennial Elementary

Centerville Elementary

Rice Lake Elementary

Golden Lake Elementary

Middle School:

Centennial Middle School

High School:

Centennial High School

Adult Learning:

Centennial ACE

For more information on the above listed schools please visit the Centennial School Districts website at http://www.centennial.k12.mn.us/

White Bear Lake Area

Schools:

The White Bear Lake Area Schools serve all or parts of Birchwood, Gem Lake, Hugo, Little Canada, North Oaks, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake and White Bear Township, with eight elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (6-8), a two-campus high school (9-12), an Area Learning Center, and an education center housing early childhood and senior programs. The school district, with a total population of approximately 50,000 residents, services approximately 9,200 students K-12.

Elementaries focus on basic-skills through innovative instruction, including a renowned mathematics curriculum. Parents choose between traditional and alternative classroom settings. A gifted program is offered for students demonstrating exceptional ability in communications and mathematics. School-aged childcare is available before and after school.

Middle schools take traditional studies into challenging new areas through inter-disciplinary teaching teams, providing a smooth transition from the elementary to high school classroom. Advanced classes are offered in select disciplines.

The high school operates on a block schedule, offering numerous opportunities to prepare students for post-secondary plans. College in the Schools and Advanced Placement courses offer students introductory-level college coursework.

The district offers many extra-curricular activities, providing students opportunities to excel outside the classroom. The district’s exceptional youth development program has gained both state and national attention for its focus on student leadership and community service.

A comprehensive special education department, including a recognized autism program, supplements learning whenever needed. The district also participates in a special education cooperative district, which services students with special needs.

The district is committed to offering curriculum and instruction rooted in best practice research and based on current data. Staff development and teacher training remain top priorities in the district to insure student success at all levels. The district's Educational Foundation also supports instruction by proving grants for innovative teaching projects and awarding numerous student scholarships.

The White Bear Lake Area Schools enjoy the atmosphere of a close-knit community with the learning opportunities of a major metropolitan center. The district is proud of its reputation for excellence in every part of a student's career as well in its commitment to professional and staff development.

Elementary

Schools:

Birch Lake Elementary

Centerpoint Elementary

Lakeaires Elementary

Lincoln Elementary

Oneka Elementary

Otter Lake Elementary

Parkview Elementary

Vadnais Heights Elementary

Willow Lane Elementary

Middle Schools

Central Middle School

Sunrise Park Middle School

High Schools

White Bear Lake Area High School – North Campus

White Bear Lake Area High School – South Campus

Please see the District Boundary Map and the District Fact Sheet below. If you need more information on the White Bear Lake School District please visit their website at http://www.whitebear.k12.mn.us/ or call them at 651-407-7500

Forest Lake School District:

Success doesn't happen by accident

The Forest Lake Area School District has worked hard to design a quality educational system that prepares students for the world.

A great place to live and learn

The Forest Lake Area School District 831 is located 30 miles north of the Twin Cities, along the I-35 corridor that runs north to Duluth. It is an area dotted by lakes, rolling hills, woods, and small towns. Many residents enjoy our rural, small town life, and find they can easily commute to the Twin Cities area.

The academic efforts of our students are supported by excellent teachers (67% of our staff have earned a Masters Degree), challenging curriculum, technology, high standards, and a safe learning environment. The school district's strong traditional academic program is enhanced by award-winning co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, gifted education offerings, and a full range of special education programming.

As the largest employer in the area, Forest Lake Area School District employs over 1,200 persons, including teachers, clerical staff, aides, custodians, bus drivers, cooks, mechanics, and administrators.

History of our schools

Schools 100 years ago were one-room rural school buildings scattered throughout the towns and countryside. Through consolidation of the small locally-controlled school districts over the years, the Forest Lake Area School district now encompasses 240 square miles, with seven elementary school buildings (K-6), a Montessori Elementary School (K-6), two junior high schools (7-9), a senior high school (10-12), and an Area Learning Center (6-12). The communities served are: Forest Lake, May Township, New Scandia Township, Wyoming, Lino Lakes, Columbus Township, Linwood Township, and parts of Marine-on-St. Croix, Hugo, Stacy, Ham Lake, Wyoming Township, and East Bethel.

The Forest Lake Area School District is a great place to live and learn. Feel free to contact any administrator with specific questions, and come and see our staff and students working together

Elementary

Schools:

Central Montessori Elementary
Columbus Elementary

Forest Lake Elementary

Forest View Elementary

Lino Lakes Elementary

Linwood Elementary

Scandia Elementary

Wyoming Elementary

Middle

Schools:

Century Junior High

Southwest Junior High

High School:

Forest Lake Area Senior High

For more information on Forest Lake area schools please visit their website at http://www.forestlake.k12.mn.us/

Parks:

The City of Lino Lakes offers 20 different community parks for its residents enjoyment. Each park covers a minimum of 1 acre of land and each one offers a variety of facilities.

• Area Acres Park
• Behm’s Park
• Birchwood Acres Park
• Brandywood Park
• City Hall Park
• Clearwater Creek Park
• Country Lakes Park
• Highland Meadow Park
• LaMotte Park
• Lino Park
• Marshan Park
• Pheasant Hills Park
• Quail Ridge Park
• Shenandoah Park
• Sunrise Park
• Sunset Oaks Park
• Wenzel Farms Park
• Woods of Baldwin Lake Park
• Woolan’s Park

For more information on the above listed parks and their facilities please download the City of Lino Laks Parks Guide below or visit the city website at http://www.ci.lino-lakes.mn.us/

Recreation:

The City Of Lino Lakes is committed to providing fun, recreational activities for our adults and youth. Here are just some of the numerous recreational activities that Lino Lakes has to offer!

Youth Activities:

• Abrakadooodle Art Camps
• Dance
• Playtime
• T-Ball
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Tae Kwon Do
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Softball
• Football
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Volleyball

Adult Activities:

• Softball
• Golf
• Fitness Programs
• Wellness Classes
• Outings

For more information on the recreational activities above please visit the City of Lino Lakes website at http://www.ci.lino-lakes.mn.us/

Community Features:

Chomonix Golf Course

Mature tree lined fairways, water hazards on seven holes, and abundant wildlife makes Chomonix an affordable golf adventure – right in your backyard!

Phone:

651-482-8484

Rice Creek Campground

Rice Creek Campground, located in the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve, offers 2,500 acres of natural and scenic wilderness, only 25 minutes from Minneapolis/St. Paul. Biking, fishing, boating, golf, and swimming are just a few of the many activities you will find within the park. Nature programs are held regularly at the campground amphitheater and in nearby Wargo Nature Center (one mile north of the campground).

Phone:

651-426-7564

Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park

Amenities:

• Picnic area with a new 150 person capacity picnic shelter
• Swimming beach on Centerville Lake
• Wargo Nature Center
• 18-hole Chomonix Golf Course and driving range
• Four miles of paved biking trails
• Natural surface hiking trails around the Wargo Nature Center
• Fishing pier on Peltier Lake
• Two canoe launches and two boat launches
• Two playgrounds (beach playground in the photo to the right)
• Native prairie sites
• Cross-country ski trails (groomed)
• Ski rental and concessions at the golf course clubhouse
• Compost site - call NRG for finished compost information and pricing at 763-767-7964 (compost site entrance is on Highway 242, one mile east of the Interstate I-35W bridge crossing)

Shadow Ridge Golf Range

This private golf facility offers a large grass area, target greens, sand trap, putting greens, and lessons.

Phone:

651-481-7003

Wargo Nature Center

This interpretive center is nestled on a beautiful peninsula overlooking George Watch Lake and is part of the 2,550 acre Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve.

Phone:

651-429-8007