North River Hills Neighborhood Organization Inaugural Celebration

Written by: Cati Gomez

Rain did not deter North River Hills neighbors from packing the local warming house. 

On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Neighbors in North River Hills celebrated the creation of a new neighborhood organization at the North River Hills Park. Over 100 neighbors spilled out of the warming house as Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, City Council Member Vince Workman, Ismael Said and Burnsville City staff joined the community in a celebration of the renewed North River Hills Neighborhood Organization. 

As longtime friends threw frisbees and shared cocoa and cookies with new neighbors, they told the story of North River Hills and its evolution over time. This event acknowledged decades of collaboration and growth of the neighborhood and future collaborations and partnership between the North River Hills Neighborhood Organization and the City of Burnsville.

The inaugural event for the rekindled neighborhood organization was rescheduled from Tennisioux Park, near the Sioux Trail Elementary School’s playground and sports fields. Sioux Trail Elementary School was established in 1964 and serves as a safe and central playground, sports field, and green space for the surrounding neighbors. 

There were many Sioux Trail alumni, families, and former educators in attendance to celebrate this new chapter in one of Burnsville’s founding neighborhoods. The Sioux Trail Elementary School was closed in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The potential sale of the school’s property brought together neighbors in 2024 to oppose a high density redevelopment proposal. 

The purpose of the North River Hills Neighborhood Organization is to strengthen the connections between residents in the area in order to promote community engagement, and increase awareness of decisions impacting our community. We aim to serve as a voice for our community, advocating for responsible development, strong infrastructure, and vibrant public spaces that meet the needs of all residents. Our Neighborhood Organization works to ensure that North River Hills remains a desirable place to live and raise a family for generations to come, learn more at the North River Hills Neighborhood Organization website, https://www.northriverhills.org/. 

According to Burnsville, neighborhood organizations are a voluntary group of residents who meet to connect or improve their neighborhood. The City’s new neighborhood organization campaign allows the community to apply for resources to host events and make improvements to positively impact the neighborhood. 

Community members enjoying the inaugural celebration at Sioux Trail Elementary Park

As the North River Hills Neighborhood Organization progresses, let us remember that our collective efforts can create a lasting legacy for future generations. Protecting our green spaces and celebrating the unique stories within our neighborhood is a shared responsibility we all hold dear!