West Shore Craftsmanship, Local Roots
Spring Park is a small village of about 1,800 residents tucked along the western arm of Lake Minnetonka, bordered by West Arm Bay, Priest Bay, and Smiths Bay. It has a walkable downtown core along County Road 44 and a mix of residential streets that range from compact lake cottages built in the early 1900s to larger homes on waterfront lots that have been renovated or rebuilt in recent decades.
The housing variety in Spring Park creates a wide range of landscaping needs. Smaller lots near downtown need efficient designs that maximize outdoor living space without overwhelming the yard. Waterfront properties along the bays need shoreline management, retaining walls to handle grade changes, and outdoor spaces oriented toward sunset lake views. New builds need complete landscape packages from scratch.
We are headquartered in Shorewood, just a short drive east on Minnetonka Blvd. That proximity means we know Spring Park's streets, the soil conditions along the shore, the permitting requirements at city hall, and the watershed regulations that apply to every lakefront project. No learning curve, no surprises.
Services Most Requested by Spring Park Homeowners
Retaining Walls
Spring Park lots that slope toward the bays need retaining walls engineered for the grade. Whether replacing a failing timber wall on a cottage lot or building a multi-tiered system on a waterfront rebuild, we design for the long haul.
Compact Paver Patios
Many Spring Park lots are tighter than typical lake homes. We specialize in efficient patio layouts that fit seating, a fire feature, and a grill area into smaller footprints without feeling cramped — every square foot earns its place.
Landscape Design & Build
From full-yard renovations on lakefront lots to adding curb appeal on village streets, our 3D design process helps Spring Park homeowners visualize the finished product and make confident decisions before we dig.
Shoreline Restoration
Properties along West Arm Bay, Priest Bay, and Smiths Bay are exposed to varying levels of wave action. We match the stabilization approach — boulders, riprap, native plantings, or bioengineering — to your specific shoreline conditions.
Boulder & Natural Stone
Natural stone steps, boulder outcroppings, and flagstone walkways add character to Spring Park properties while blending naturally with the village's lake-town aesthetic. We source Minnesota stone for authenticity and durability.
Landscape Lighting
Spring Park evenings are best spent outside. Low-voltage LED path lights, step lights, and accent lighting extend your outdoor season and improve safety on stepped walkways leading down to the water.
What Makes Spring Park Landscaping Unique
Spring Park's location on the west shore of Lake Minnetonka means properties face east — catching morning sun and enjoying sheltered evening conditions behind the peninsula. The bays here (West Arm, Priest, and Smiths) are relatively protected compared to the open Upper Lake, which affects both shoreline erosion rates and the types of aquatic plantings that thrive along the waterline.
Soils in Spring Park transition from sandy near the shoreline to a glacial till mix with clay content as you move inland. The older neighborhoods near downtown have mature trees — primarily oak, elm, and basswood — with extensive root systems that require careful excavation. Many of the original cottage lots have been rebuilt or expanded over the decades, meaning the existing hardscaping may be a patchwork of different eras and quality levels that needs a unified redesign.
Spring Park falls within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. Any project within 75 feet of the ordinary high water level of the lake requires a watershed permit. The village itself has building permit requirements for retaining walls over 4 feet and for certain impervious surface additions. We handle all permit applications and coordinate directly with both the village and MCWD to keep your project moving.
Common Questions from Spring Park Homeowners
Absolutely. Many Spring Park lots near downtown and the original cottage neighborhoods are compact by Lake Minnetonka standards. We design efficient layouts that incorporate multi-functional elements — a seating wall that doubles as a planter border, a fire pit that anchors a conversation area without eating up patio space, or built-in benches along a retaining wall. Smart design makes small yards feel larger.
Spring Park requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet in exposed height. Lakefront projects within the MCWD buffer zone (75 feet from the ordinary high water level) require a watershed permit for shoreline work, grading, and certain hardscape installations. We prepare and submit all permit applications on your behalf and build the review timeline into our project schedule.
Yes, and we insist on it. Spring Park's older neighborhoods have mature oaks, elms, and basswoods that define the character of the streets. We establish root protection zones, use hand excavation near critical roots, and design hardscape layouts that route around rather than through root systems. Preserving these trees protects your property value and maintains the neighborhood canopy.
Properties on the north side of Spring Park facing the open Upper Lake experience the most wave-driven erosion, especially during summer storms from the south and southeast. West Arm Bay and Priest Bay are more sheltered, but sustained wind events and boat wakes still cause gradual bank loss. We evaluate your specific exposure, wave fetch distance, and soil type before recommending a stabilization approach — boulder riprap for high-energy sites, or native plantings and coir logs for calmer coves.
Your Spring Park Landscape Project Starts Here
Schedule your free on-site consultation. We will walk your property, discuss your goals, and deliver a detailed proposal — typically within one week.