Sumner-Glenwood

Sumner-Glenwood, more recently referred to as Heritage Park, is a work in progress. This means dirt cheap housing in a neighborhood that is only six blocks west of downtown Minneapolis. Several governing and nonprofit agencies in the city have collaborated to tear down many degraded properties and give this formerly undesirable and small community a new face, though that face has yet to become fully attractive. The landscape on the northern side of the Olson Memorial Highway can best be described as depressing. No matter where one is, there is always a construction site and/or a freeway in view.

Though the new properties are selling or renting at very affordable rates, little else can be offered by the neighborhood in the meantime. One would have to walk under I-94 for any dining, shopping or nightlife spots. Some may argue that Sumner Field can offer outdoor recreation, but the park is nothing but a small patch of grass amidst a sea of concrete with a pathway that looks to be the equivalent of only a tenth of a mile. Sumner-Glenwood is basically cookie cutter apartment in front of more cookie cutter apartments surrounded by construction supplies backed by a freeway. Also, anyone who leaves their valuables in plain site within their vehicle is sure to have them stolen. Though this is not a visually pleasant neighborhood, its convenient location cannot be ignored. Someone on almost any income can live here and only as to walk several blocks to escape the bare bone landscape.