By Linda Scherer
Staff Writer

Minnetrista is located west of the Twin Cities on Highway 7. It has an estimated population of 5,250 taken from the 2005 census. That was an increase of 20 percent from the 2000 census. From 1990 to the year 2000, the population showed a 27 percent increase.

Minnetrista surrounds the one-mile-square St. Bonifacius community. It has three major development projects in the works. The largest project is Park Place, located east of St. Bonifacius along Highway 7. It encompasses 290 acres of land, to be divided into 850 lots, which will include single family, town, and twin homes.

Palmer Pointe development is east of County Road 44. It is 51 acres, and is to be developed into 68 single family lots.

The third development is Hermitage Shores. It is 16 acres, to become 21 single family lots.

West of St. Bonifacius on Highway 7, there is residential housing available in Hunter Crest. It has approximately 400 homes, of which 100 are still available.

Several features attract new residents to this area. A short commute to the Twin Cities, numerous natural lakes, beautiful landscape, close proximity to the Three Rivers Park District, and many other amenities.

It is 32 square miles in size and can be accessed from Highway 12 on the north and Highway 7 on the south. The town is mostly residential and has no shopping center or commercial area of its own.

Minnetrista’s population is mainly families with young children, according to the 2005 census figures.