Franklyn Park Apartments

Pros

• The area is great for walks on the Gateway Trail.
• Cleaning is well kept.
• Mei, the park apartment manager, is kind, respectful, and easy to talk to.
• The apartments are very affordable.
• The property has a long-standing history with families who lived there for years and built memories since the 1980s.

Cons

• The reviews claim the complex has gone downhill since the new management took over.
• The new management is described as unprofessional, inpatient, and unhelpful to residents and applicants.
• Residents report more crime and more after-hours repairs with fewer staff.
• Cleaning and maintenance, once well kept, are now messy and stressful.
• The property manager is accused of yelling at residents, degrading them, and prioritizing tasks over residents' needs.
• Some reviewers say they would rate the complex 0 stars because of management behavior.
• The overall atmosphere is described as less cooperative and more tense, with less teamwork among staff.

Review

This apartment community sits along a gateway for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts, with a long memory dating back to the 1980s. For many residents, the area itself is a big draw: it's a nice neighborhood for strolls, close to the Gateway Trail, and the surroundings have a familiar, comforting feel. Within the complex, cleanliness has often been kept up, and some units have been considered affordable relative to other options nearby. A longtime resident singled out a manager named Mei, describing her as kind, respectful, and easy to talk to. In their eyes, the combination of a favorable location, a well-kept environment, and approachable on-site staff made the place a solid choice - especially for people who value affordability.

However, the overall sentiment about the property has grown more complicated over the past few years. Many residents tie the changes to a shift in management, noting that the old team did work well together, especially the cleaning and maintenance staff, who were praised for their reliability. When the previous management left around retirement, a new team from Tapestry and a new on-site crew moved in, and some long-time residents began to feel a break in the rhythm that had kept the property organized. Reports from multiple tenants describe more repairs, a sense of stress, and less teamwork among staff, with some observations that overnight shifts and a higher number of workers were required to handle the same tasks. A number of people also mentioned an uptick in crime-related concerns and a greater need to call 911 after hours, painting a picture of a less peaceful environment than what longtime residents remembered.

Within this shifting landscape, the figure of the on-site rental manager became a focal point for strong opinions. Diane, who handled rentals and front-office duties for a period, appears in several reviews as a polarizing presence. Some residents recall her as abrupt, inpatient, and discourteous, describing interactions where they felt unwelcome or dismissed. A few reviews go so far as to say an encounter with Diane could end a prospective rental before it started, with one person recounting an instant impression of rudeness that led them to walk away rather than endure the experience. Calls for formal complaints against her were shared by concerned residents who believed that the manager's conduct did not align with the responsibilities of her role. The narrative around Diane is not one-note, however: other accounts acknowledge that the manager's tenure coincided with a period of transition, and some residents remember that she was part of a team that previously kept things orderly before changes took place.

In addition to criticisms of management, a few residents offered more balanced reflections. Some continued to speak well of the community's positives even as they described ongoing management shifts. They highlighted once again the appeal of the area, the ongoing cleanliness of common spaces, and the sense that the complex remains affordable - qualities that have helped attract and retain residents. A few people also shared anecdotal pride in the building's history and in relatives who lived there for years, noting that family ties extend across generations. In one instance, a family connection was cited to emphasize the ongoing appeal of the property, with relatives who lived there for years and even family members on waiting lists for new opportunities, underscoring the enduring demand and emotional attachment associated with the place.

Another layer of the story is the sense of change and uncertainty about what lies ahead. Some residents remember how a previous manager's leadership felt more reliable, while others acknowledge that the current leadership, depending on the moment, can feel inconsistent or uncertain to new applicants and existing residents alike. The complex's reputation has, at times, drawn in compliments and at others, sharp criticism. The presence of law enforcement on site at certain moments - such as a patrol car connected to the application process - has been mentioned by some as a signal of ongoing safety concerns and a proactive effort to screen applicants, while others interpret such measures as an indicator of broader problems.

In the end, the community emerges as a place with a storied past and a present that reflects a mix of strengths and struggles. For some residents, the neighborhood's walkability, the well-kept grounds, and the approachable staff like Mei keep it a desirable home, especially given the affordability and the sense of continuity for those who have lived there for years. For others, the recent management turnover, perceived inconsistencies in service, and concerns about safety have tempered enthusiasm and led to a more cautious outlook. This is a place where memories run deep - grandparents and long-time family connections are part of the fabric - and where the future will likely hinge on how management addresses repairs, safety, and the everyday interactions with residents. As the current period of transition continues, prospective tenants are advised to weigh the enduring appeal of the location and price against the mixed experiences with leadership and the evolving mood on the grounds.

Parks

• Rotary Park (0.2 miles)
• Casey Lake Park (1 miles)
• Playcrest Park (1.4 miles)
• Joy Park (1.4 miles)
• Hazelwood Park (1.9 miles)
• Harvest Park (2.2 miles)
• Legacy Pines Park (2.2 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.4 miles)
• Golden Corral (1.7 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (1.7 miles)
• The Dog House Bar and Grill (1.8 miles)
• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• Osaka Sushi and Hibachi (2 miles)
• White Castle (2.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Mix Compounding Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Walgreens (4.3 miles)

Physicians

• Healthpartners Clinics (1.5 miles)
• Jacobs Carol RN (2.1 miles)
• Page Graydon T MD (2.2 miles)
• HealthPartners Clinic (2.2 miles)
• Retina Center (2.8 miles)
• David Thao, MD (3.8 miles)
• Northern Lights Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine (3.9 miles)

Theaters

• Oakdale Cinema Oakdale, Mn (1.8 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Woodbury (5.6 miles)

Hospitals

• St John's Hospital-Maplewood (2.2 miles)
• Regions Hospital Burn Center (6.1 miles)
• Woodwinds Health Campus-Woodbury (6.3 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital-St Paul (6.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Transfiguration Catholic Church (3 miles)
• St Jerome Elementary School (4.4 miles)
• St Mary of the Lake Church (5.1 miles)
• Cathedral of St Paul (7.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)

Transportation

• Union Depot (6.2 miles)