Park Perspective: Spring 2025

Park Perspective

www.stlouisparkmn.gov

Spring 2025

ShamROC Ice Bowling is March 15. Learn more about city spring events on page 8.

Inside this newsletter Municipal election is Nov. 4............................... 2 Beware of contractor scams.............................. 3 Climate Champions program changes............... 4 Citywide hydrant flushing.................................. 5 Construction project updates............................ 6 Oak tree management....................................... 7

Westwood Hills Nature Center wildlife stills captured from the trail cameras.

Westwood Hills Nature Center

trail cam volunteer spotlight

Upcoming events................................................ 8

As you walk the trails of Westwood Hills Nature Center, you’ll likely see a wide variety of wildlife in action. But there are many special moments that take place off the beaten path when people aren’t around. Thankfully, two nature center volunteers have stepped up to help capture those moments on camera for naturalists and the public to view and study.

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 603

This is the official city newsletter of the City of St. Louis Park. It’s printed on 30% post-consumer recycled paper in an effort to meet the city’s environmentally preferable purchasing policy.

Longtime volunteers Bob Fields and Jay Jaffee work together to ensure they get the best trail camera wildlife footage.

Pictured: Bob Fields

First, Bob monitors animal behavior and tracks their frequented paths throughout the park to determine the best spots to place trail cameras.

Three motion-activated cameras are then set up throughout the nature center. These trail cameras provide an amazing opportunity to observe many different animal species in their natural environments.

The cameras record several hours of content in the form of 10-second motion activated video clips, which Jay then downloads and sifts through to find the most rare and interesting moments.

Pictured: Jay Jaffee

The resulting archive of wildlife activity is a valuable educational resource for staff and visitors of Westwood Hills Nature Center. The photos and videos are shared in camp and field trip programming and used to confirm signs and sightings of particular species. Past highlights caught on camera have included black bears, river otters and southern flying squirrels. The edited footage is also posted on the city’s Instagram (@stlouispark) and YouTube (@slpcable) pages and Westwood Hills Nature Center’s Facebook page (@WestwoodHillsNatureCenter).

Visit bit.ly/trail-camera-volunteers or scan the QR code to watch a video of Jay and Scan for video Bob in action!

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WE’RE HIRING! Ready to have fun while serving a fantastic community? Apply for a job in St. Louis Park, where your work will make a direct positive impact on residents and city life! We’re currently hiring for full-time and summer seasonal positions in a variety of different fields and divisions. Apply today to be part of a progressive city that values fresh perspectives, creativity and the next generation of leaders.

You can also visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/sign-up to sign up to receive email updates on new job postings.

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Experience LIFE in the Park

as a City of St. Louis Park part-time or full-time employee!

Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/employment today!

Arts & Culture Grants

awarded for 2025

Five grants were awarded for 2025 as part of the City of St. Louis Park’s Arts & Culture Grant program. The program funds art projects and cultural activities that build bridges between artists and communities, engage people in creative learning, and promote cultural health, well-being and cultural experiences in St. Louis Park.

• Rock ‘n’ Read project: Music-making sessions for young children ($10,000) • Canvas Convergence: Chalk art festival in the West End ($5,000) • Freeze Pop Records: Quarterly pop music festival in St. Louis Park ($1,000) • The Park Theater Company: St. Louis Park Monterey Drive concert ($2,000) • Maggie’s Farm Theater: Storytelling performance series ($1,000) • Caron Learned: To create permanent mosaic mural at Sabes JCC ($1,000) Funding for the program is provided through the City of St. Louis Park Development Fund, with $20,000 budgeted for projects in 2025.

Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/arts for more information. The application window for the 2026 Arts & Culture Grant program will be July – September 2025.

Your next election is

Nov. 4, 2025, in St. Louis Park

www.stlouisparkmn.gov/vote • 952.924.2503 • elections@stlouisparkmn.gov This year, St. Louis Park voters will elect four ward council members and three school board members. Remember, local elections happen in odd-numbered years in St. Louis Park. Below is a preview of the offices you will find on your ballot this year and how they are elected.

City council members (four seats, wards 1 – 4 up for election) The role of a ward city council member is to represent the interests of the residents living in each ward and act as their representatives for decisions by the city council. Additionally, two at large city council members and the mayor represent residents citywide in all wards, but those seats won’t be up for election until 2027.

City council offices are elected using ranked-choice voting.

School board members (three seats up for election) The role of a school board member is to oversee school administration, curriculum and governance with the goal of supporting the educational achievement of St. Louis Park students.

School board members are elected using a traditional voting system.

Looking to be a leader in our community?

Follow the city’s strategic priorities

Consider running for office

The symbols below represent the five core priorities of the City of St. Louis Park and its city council. Spot them throughout this newsletter.

All journeys start with a spark. Maybe it’s a neighbor urging you to get more involved, or a deep desire to represent your community’s interests and take a larger role in decisions that impact daily life. That spark ignites a flame, and soon, you’re fanning it into a steady burn—knocking on doors, setting up yard signs, engaging in meaningful conversations with neighbors, making connections and learning what is most important to the people who live, learn, work and play in St. Louis Park.

Being a leader in racial equity and inclusion in order to create a more just and inclusive community for all.

Continuing to lead in environmental stewardship.

Providing a broad range of housing and neighborhoodoriented development.

Providing a variety of options for people to make their way around the city comfortably, safely and reliably. reating opportunities to build social capital through C community engagement.

Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/our-city/about-us to learn more about the St. Louis Park leadership priorities.

Stay informed To talk to someone in person, visit city hall at 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., during business hours, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Can’t make it out? Call the main number during business hours at 952.924.2500 or try one of our many online resources.

For city events, activities, schedules and news updates, visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov, sign up for text and email notifications through govDelivery, or follow us on social media.

www.stlouisparkmn.gov/sign-up

@stlouispark @stlouispark nextdoor.com www.youtube.com/slpcable 22

Spring 2025

Be the spark! Candidate filing for city and school district offices opens July 29, 2025. The candidate filing period is open for two weeks, closing on Aug. 12, 2025.

Learn more about how to become a candidate on the city’s website or by contacting election staff. Keep an eye out for additional learning opportunities and resources from our election team this spring and summer, including information on how to file for office and what it means to be a member of the city council or school board.

This year, we will also feature information and resources on the city’s social media pages to help voters learn about ranked-choice voting, participating in the election this fall and becoming a candidate.

Contact mayor and city council Nadia Mohamed, mayor nmohamed@stlouisparkmn.gov 952.207.0256

Lynette Dumalag, ward 2 ldumalag@stlouisparkmn.gov 612.449.0989

Yolanda Farris, at large A yfarris@stlouisparkmn.gov 952.374.8868

Sue Budd, ward 3 sbudd@stlouisparkmn.gov 612.523.5834

Paul Baudhuin, at large B pbaudhuin@stlouisparkmn.gov 612.523.4359

Tim Brausen, ward 4 tbrausen@stlouisparkmn.gov 612.523.5678

Margaret Rog, ward 1 mrog@stlouisparkmn.gov 612.523.5702

Typically, the city council meets at city hall the first and third Monday of the month at 6:15 p.m. with a study session the second Monday at 6 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE: Fire Open House

Tuesday, June 10, 5 – 7:30 p.m. at Fire Station 1 Get a free CATGUARD kit Community members can get free CATGUARD kits from the police department. The kits help prevent catalytic converter theft by permanently marking a vehicle’s catalytic converter with a unique identification number. It also comes with stickers that can be applied to your vehicle, advising would-be thieves the catalytic converter has been marked.

Contact community outreach at slppdoutreach@stlouisparkmn.gov or 952.924.2661 to request a CATGUARD kit. If you are not able to install it yourself, it can be installed by your chosen vehicle repair shop.

Beware of contractor scams Springtime is when many people begin home improvement projects. It’s also the time many contractors and others sell their services through various communication avenues. The following are tips from the St. Louis Park Police Department to protect yourself and others from being scammed by a dishonest contractor: • Do some research when hiring a contractor, auto repair shop or other service. Contact the Better Business Bureau for information at www.bbb.org/local-bbb/minnesota and ask for references from the company or facility representative.

• Talk with family, friends and neighbors about who they recommend for your specific need. Positive past experience is a good way to locate a reputable contractor and/or repair facility.

• Keep trusted contractor and/or repair facility information for future reference.

• Be aware of door-to-door solicitors and contractors/handymen selling their services. Some may be legitimate; others may not.

Solicitors must have a license to sell door to door in the city.

• If unsure about recommended work, get a second opinion from another contractor and/or repair facility. You have that right as a consumer.

Permits required for recreational fires Permits are required for recreational fires (in-ground fire pits, portable fire pits, fire bowls, chimineas, etc.). Natural gas and propane fire pits and fireplaces don’t require a recreational fire permit.

Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/firepermit to view or print the permit application and to find complete information and regulations.

Fires must be 25 feet away from any structure, and you may only burn clean, dry firewood. Do not have a fire if winds are more than 10 miles per hour or when still weather conditions prevent the smoke from moving away. Fires are prohibited when the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has declared a burning ban or the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert. Visit www.dnr.state.mn.us or www.pca.state.mn.us to learn more.

Be considerate of your neighbors when having a fire

Do your fires cause health issues for any of your neighbors? Listen to those who may suffer from your backyard fires. Let your neighbors know when you are planning to have a fire. Since fires release fine particles that contribute to air pollution, closing windows will not prevent wood smoke from affecting those with respiratory conditions.

• Before signing, read through contracts carefully. Have the person you’re dealing with explain it thoroughly if you don’t understand it.

Sign up for Smart911

• Never give cash as a down payment or to pay for the completed work. Paying by check or credit card will give you a record of payment. Be wary of companies that only accept cash for payment.

Smart911 is an app that allows users to create a safety profile www.stlouisparkmn.gov that displays for emergency responders when 911 is called. Users can provide key information about members in a household, including medical conditions, disabilities or special medical needs; communication preferences; and car and property details as part of their safety profiles.

Equipping emergency dispatchers and first responders with this information can help them make faster and more informed decisions, shorten response times and save lives.

Visit the Minnesota State Attorney General’s office website at www.ag.state.mn.us or the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website at dps.mn.gov for more information.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

For additional information, go to www.smart911.com.

Schedule a Stop the Bleed training for your group A bleeding injury can happen anywhere. Become an immediate responder by learning how to recognize a life-threatening injury and control bleeding by attending a Stop the Bleed training.

Trainings will be offered starting summer 2025 for individuals to sign up.

Group trainings can also be scheduled by contacting the fire department at 952.924.2595. There is a maximum of 10 participants per training.

Stop the Bleed classes consist of a formal presentation followed by hands-on practice applying direct pressure, packing a wound and using a tourniquet to stop bleeding. Participants will receive a certificate stating they have met the training requirements at the end of the one-hour course.

Trainings are available for those ages 15 and over (an adult or guardian must be present with participants ages 15 – 17).

www.stlouisparkmn.gov

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Climate Champions

Continued from page 1.

program changes

Coyote captured on trail camera in April 2019.

Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community Bob and Jay, volunteers at Westwood Hills Nature Center since 2006 and 2013, respectively, also give their time to help with field trips, assist with natural resources projects, and make the wooden rounds that every camp-goer gets to paint and take home. Volunteers like Bob and Jay provide invaluable support to the City of St. Louis Park and its programs.

Currently, the City of St. Louis Park has volunteer opportunities for Pick up the Park, Adopt-a-Drain, garden adoption, tree planting, fire hydrant painting, youth sports coaching and more!

Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/volunteer to learn more about St. Louis Park’s volunteer opportunities and how to sign up.

Spring boards and commissions vacancies

As of Jan. 1, 2025, the City of St. Louis Park’s Climate Champions for Homes residential cost-sharing program no longer provides matching rebate funds for standalone natural gas furnaces or traditional air conditioners. Rebate matching funds are still available for 96%+ AFUE furnaces when used as back-up/supplemental heat for cold climate air source heat pump systems. The commercial and multifamily Climate Champion programs now offer higher incentives for fully or partially electrified equipment.

Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/climate-champions for more information. You can also reach out to one of our sustainability specialists.

Housing Choice Voucher

waiting list to open The St. Louis Park Housing Authority will accept online applications only for the Housing Choice Voucher (formerly known as Section 8) waiting list starting Tuesday, March 18 at 8 a.m. through Thursday, March 20 at 4:30 p.m. To apply, visit housing.slpmn.us.

Applications will NOT be available in person. Applicants must meet income eligibility requirements.

Residents are encouraged to share their talents and perspectives by serving on an advisory board or commission. Several will have vacancies this spring. Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/boards-commissions to learn more and apply when openings become available.

Vision 4.0 Community events coming up!

The community engagement process for Vision 4.0 is underway! This spring and summer will be filled with opportunities to get involved in the Vision 4.0 process. You can participate in important community conversations, engage in pop-up events at community gatherings, and interact with project staff and fellow city residents as we continue to shape the future framework of our city.

Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/vision or scan the QR code to learn more about engagement opportunities and to sign up for updates.

More about Vision 4.0 Every 10 years, the City of St. Louis Park reviews and updates the strategic priorities that city leadership and elected officials use to guide planning and decision-making over the next decade. The process started again in 2024, with elected officials, city staff and community members getting to work on Vision 4.0.

Small business help The income and jobs generated by small businesses in the community make an important difference for families and neighborhoods throughout the metropolitan region. Because starting and sustaining a small business is not easy, Hennepin County and the City of St. Louis Park offer no-cost resources and programming to assist local entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.

Elevate Hennepin Businesses in St. Louis Park and broader Hennepin County are eligible to receive free business advising and consulting services through Elevate Hennepin, an initiative that connects business owners to advisors, services and other resources to help them start and grow their companies. Through Elevate Hennepin, business owners receive one-on-one services from trusted consultants and advisors specializing in legal support, marketing, bookkeeping, finance, loan and grant navigation, and more. Visit www.elevatehennepin.org for more about this program.

Open to Business The city’s Open to Business program also offers no-cost, confidential consultations from an expert business advisor. Advisors can help with strategic planning, financial assessment, professional referrals and marketing plans. To schedule a meeting, contact Luis Rodriguez at lrodriguez@mccdmn.org or 612.843.3269.

4424 Spring 2025

Know before you throw: Organics

Spring street sweeping The city typically starts spring street sweeping in March and continues with a second round of sweeping in May after the trees have leaves.

Hours of sweeping will be 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. The city doesn’t post “no parking” signs for street sweeping. However, the city has created a street sweeping map to show what streets have been swept and estimated sweeping dates by neighborhood.

Visit bit.ly/street-sweeping to view the map. As always, the estimated dates can be affected by the weather, current maintenance needs or emergencies that staff need to address.

Welcome to the City of St. Louis Park’s “Know before you throw” guide – an image-based guide to help you know if an item should be recycled, composted or tossed.

Fruit and vegetable peels and scraps can be composted.

Make sure to remove all produce stickers first and put them in the garbage. Put the food scraps in a certified compostable bag before placing them in your organics cart.

Coffee grounds and filters can be composted. Place the used filters, along with food scraps and other compostable materials, in a certified compostable bag before placing them in your organics cart.

Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/organics to view a full list of acceptable items, sign up for curbside organics collection or sign up for the multifamily organics drop-site program at no extra cost.

Citywide hydrant flushing starts May 4 City crews are scheduled to flush watermains starting Sunday, May 4, weather permitting. Flushing hours will be at night, mainly from 8 p.m. – 6 a.m. and should be complete by Friday morning, May 9.

Watermain flushing is done each spring to loosen normal mineral buildup inside underground watermains. Crews flush the watermains by opening fire hydrants, so don’t be alarmed if you see water gushing from hydrants while a city truck is nearby. The flushing process will take five days to complete citywide. Any one neighborhood or area won’t be affected for the entire week. Residents can check to see if watermains have been flushed in their neighborhood by visiting bit.ly/WMflushing to view a map.

While water has improved color and taste after watermain flushing, the process can temporarily discolor water due to loose particles. During this time, avoid doing laundry without first checking to see if your water is rust colored. Check water by running the tap. If it’s rust colored, don’t run your washing machine until you’ve cleared the water. To clear your water, run the cold water tap in your laundry tub until it clears. If your laundry is stained by the water during this time, keep the laundered items wet and call public works at 952.924.2562.

Staff will deliver a chemical that will remove the stains.

About franchise fees Under Minnesota Statute, through franchise agreements, cities can impose a fee on utility companies that use the public rights of way to deliver service. These franchise fees are negotiated with electric, gas and cable utilities on a multiyear basis, and are used to help fund infrastructure improvements within the city.

The fees are collected by the utility companies through their customer’s monthly utility bills. They are then returned back to the city to be used to fund transportation infrastructure projects, including street rehabilitation, street overlays, parking lot rehabilitation and sidewalk repairs.

Additionally, Comcast provides cable television service in St. Louis Park through a nonexclusive franchise agreement with the city. The current 10-year franchise agreement was approved in April 2021 by the St. Louis Park City Council. Cable franchise fees fund the live broadcast and recording of St. Louis Park City Council and planning commission meetings, St. Louis Park Public Schools school board meetings, and community and school events and athletics. This programming helps ensure government transparency and promotes community engagement. Visit www.parktv.org to learn more.

Franchise fees will remain unchanged in 2025. For more information, visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/utility-billing.

Is your property at risk of flooding?

Did you know there are 305 properties in St. Louis Park that are impacted by the FEMA 1% chance floodplain?

Wondering what the flood risk is for your property? The city will give you the following information at your request: • I f your property is in or out of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as shown on the current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM); in or out of the floodway; or in or near an area where the problems are not shown on the FIRM. • A dditional flood insurance data for a property, such as the FIRM zone and the base flood elevation or depth, if shown on the FIRM, and if a property is in or near an area of historical flooding and/or natural functions floodplain.

To request information, provide your street address and, if available, the subdivision, lot and block number. City staff will do the rest. Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/floodplain for more information on flood hazards, risks and building responsibly.

Sustainability lunch and learn Monday, March 17, 11:45 a.m.

Lenox Community Center, 6715 Minnetonka Blvd.

Learn how to reduce your energy use, save money on energy upgrades, avoid common solar scams, compost your food scraps and more from St. Louis Park sustainability specialists.

Staff will provide resources and expertise on how you can reduce your carbon footprint and leave a healthier world for future generations. This class is free, and lunch will be provided. Register at bit.ly/sustainability-lunch-and-learn.

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Construction has been underway on Minnetonka Boulevard and County Road 25 since fall 2024 and is expected to continue through 2025.

2025 CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OVERVIEW Below is an overview of some of the current and upcoming construction projects in St. Louis Park. For more details about projects near you, visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/construction-updates to sign up for email updates.

Pavement management

The city’s Pavement Management Program proactively addresses the condition of streets within the city. In 2025, a number of residential and commercial streets are scheduled for reconstruction: • Residential: streets in Cedar Manor, Crestview, Kilmer Pond and Westwood Hills neighborhoods (bit.ly/2025SLP-PM) • Commercial: Raleigh Avenue and 35th Street in the Wolfe Park commercial area (bit.ly/2025-street-rehab) These projects include street reconstruction, drainage repairs, new sidewalks and underground utility work.

Cedar Lake Road and Louisiana Avenue improvements

This is the second year of construction on this three-year improvement project. The project will deliver much needed modernization to the roads, provide equitable opportunities for transportation to underserved populations, improve neighborhood livability and replace existing facilities at the end of their useful life.

In 2025, construction will take place on Louisiana Avenue between Wayzata Boulevard and Fire Station 2. Improvements include: • New pavement.

• Replacing segments of watermain, storm sewer and sanitary sewer based on condition and need.

• New sidewalk on the east side of Louisiana Avenue.

• Crosswalk enhancements for people walking and rolling, including raised medians and user‐activated flashing beacons.

• Removing the traffic signal at Franklin Avenue and Louisiana Avenue. It will be replaced with user-activated flashing beacons to help pedestrians and bicyclists cross Louisiana Avenue.

• Extending the median at the intersection of 14th Street and Louisiana Avenue to better manage access.

• ADA improvements and bus shelters at transit stops.

• Installing a bike facility on neighborhood streets that parallel (east and west) Louisiana Avenue. This alternate bike route can be used by bicyclists of all ages and abilities.

In 2026, the intersection of Cedar Lake Road and Louisiana Avenue will be reconstructed with a roundabout that will tie together recent street reconstruction on both roads.

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Spring 2025

Minnetonka Boulevard reconstruction

Where possible, Hennepin County construction activities on Minnetonka Boulevard and County Road 25 have continued throughout the winter. Most of the work has been to bury the overhead utilities along Minnetonka Boulevard. Construction in 2025 will focus on Minnetonka Boulevard between Highway 100 and Inglewood Avenue. Expect significant road closures and detours throughout the construction season.

Visit www.hennepin.us/minnetonka-boulevard for an updated schedule and anticipated impacts before construction begins in the spring.

MnDOT I-394 and Louisiana Avenue project

In 2025, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is scheduled to reconstruct the Interstate 394 (I-394)/Louisiana Avenue interchange to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow on eastbound I-394. The work will include the following: • Extend the acceleration/deceleration lane on eastbound I-394 from the Louisiana Avenue exit ramp to the on-ramp from Louisiana Avenue.

• Add a new acceleration/deceleration lane on eastbound I-394 between Louisiana Avenue and Xenia Avenue South/Park Place Boulevard.

• Remove free right turn lanes from northbound Louisiana Avenue to eastbound I-394 and southbound Louisiana Avenue to westbound I-394.

• Replace the signal systems on the north and south sides near the ramps to/from I-394 and Louisiana Avenue.

• Replace sidewalk along the ramp from eastbound I-394 and Louisiana Avenue and add accessible curb ramps for pedestrians at the interchange.

Visit www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i394stlouispark for more information.

Slower is safer Slower speed limits promote a mobility system that prioritizes walking first, then bicycling and transit, and then motor vehicle use.

Lower speed limits are in-line with national trends toward lower urban speed limits to support safety.

Lower traffic speeds reduce the likelihood of a crash and make all types of crashes less likely to lead to death or a life-changing injury.

Oak tree management St. Louis Park is home to many beautiful mature trees, including oaks which are critical shade trees that support the biodiversity in our community. It is important to take proper care of these trees to help support our urban tree canopy and crucial wildlife habitat.

Consecutive drought years, root dieback and damage from native insects like the two-lined chestnut borer have all contributed to oak tree decline in St. Louis Park. By taking steps to care for these trees, we can ensure that future generations will see their benefits.

Learn more about caring for mature oak trees in St. Louis Park at bit.ly/oak-tree-management-and-care. Not sure if your tree is an oak tree?

A city tree inspector can help identify tree species on your property and provide recommendations for care and maintenance.

Tree sale starts March 3

Help increase our city’s tree canopy by adding trees to your landscape through the city’s annual tree sale! Visit slp-tree-sale.myshopify.com to preview, order and pay for your trees. Trees are $35 each; a maximum of three trees per property may be purchased. A preview of this year’s trees is available online now. Online sales begin March 3. Tree sale pickup is Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. – noon or Monday, May 5, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Municipal Service Center, 7305 Oxford St. Need a new tree but not ready to plant it yourself? You’re in luck! The city offers a full-service tree sale option where the city covers a portion of the planting costs. Total cost can be as low as $35 depending on your location in the city. The cost-share amount is higher for those who have had an ash tree removed due to emerald ash borer. Visit treecanopyslp.myshopify.com to find out more and reserve your tree.

Brush drop-off site opens April 1 The city’s brush drop-off site will be open Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays starting April 1. There is no charge for St. Louis Park residents.

A Minnesota ID, driver’s license or utility bill is required as proof of residency. Call 952.924.2562 or email operations@stlouisparkmn.gov with questions. Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/brush-drop-off for more information.

Residents can drop off branches, brush, logs, grass clippings and leaves at the site during the dates and times listed below.

April 1 — Oct. 28 • Tuesdays: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Saturdays: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Sundays: noon – 4 p.m.

Nov. 1 — 23 • Saturdays: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Sundays: noon – 4 p.m.

The drop-off site is located at 6215 Cedar Lake Road, with the entrance on the southeast side of the railroad tracks.

Arbor Day planting celebration May 10, 9 a.m. – noon • Browndale Park, 4955 Morningside Road

Join our free annual Arbor Day celebration, featuring tree-focused family activities!

Want to help plant trees in Browndale Park during the celebration?

We’re looking for volunteers to help plant a variety of trees throughout Browndale Park during the Arbor Day celebration. Volunteer sign-up starts in March at www.treetrust.org/volunteer.

Know your recycling day For your convenience, the next four months of the recycling schedule are provided below. Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/recycling to download a yearly calendar, find your collection day or sign up for email reminders.

• If your normal service falls on or after a holiday that affects collection, you will receive service one day later.

• Report missed pickups within two days of your collection day to: Garbage/recycling: 952.226.6457, SLP@buckinghamcompanies.com Organics: 952.941.5174, SLP@republicservices.com Yard waste: 612.405.9579, SLP@wastecontainersystems.com • This calendar applies only to properties with city-provided recycling.

Multifamily buildings are required to offer recycling to their tenants. Check with your building management or email city staff at recycling@stlouisparkmn.gov if you have questions about recycling collection at your building.

March 2025

First week of yard waste collection is April 7 Yard waste collection will begin the week of April 7 for all households with city collection service. Remember, yard waste must be in your own reusable containers, compostable bags or bundled separate from garbage. It must be set out by 7 a.m. to ensure collection. It’s illegal to throw yard waste in the garbage or to use traditional plastic bags for yard waste. Each container, bag or bundle should weigh no more than 40 pounds. Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/yard-waste for more information.

Gardening swap is May 13 The 2025 gardening swap will be May 13 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Recreation Outdoor Center (ROC), 3700 Monterey Drive. The swap is a great opportunity to clear out gardening tools you no longer use and take home new seeds, tools and more! The event is free and open to everyone. No items may be sold; everything must be given and taken freely. Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/reuse for more information and a list of acceptable items. Email recycling@stlouisparkmn.gov or call 952.924.2562 with questions.

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HOLIDAY DELAYING WEEK A WEEK B 22 23 24 25are 26 delayed 27 28 one day all week after holidays that fall on a week Collections COLLECTION 29 30 day. Collections are not delayed for holidays that fall on weekends.

www.stlouisparkmn.gov

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SPRING EVENT HIGHLIGHTS SAVE THE DATE: Parktacular and Ecotacular Enjoy a variety of events and activities during Parktacular weekend June 12 – 15, including Ecotacular, the Splash into Summer pool event, Grand Day Parade and more!

Sh a m r o c Ice B owling St. Louis Par k

Saturday, March 15, 1 – 5 p.m.

$50 per team • Registration deadline: March 12 Gather your team and sign up for the annual ShamROC Ice Bowling event at the Recreation Outdoor Center (ROC), 3700 Monterey Drive! Bowl four frames for a chance to win prizes and stay for the food, drinks, music and fun. Register your team of four and secure a time slot by March 12. For rules, registration and more information, visit www.shamrocicebowling.com. Games take approximately 30 minutes. For ages 12 and above.

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Spring cleanup and paper shredding events The city will host a spring cleanup day event for residents to dispose of unwanted household items May 17, 8 a.m. – noon, and a free paper shredding event to safely recycle confidential papers May 30, 4 – 6 p.m. Both events will be held at the Municipal Service Center, 7305 Oxford St. Call 952.924.2562 or visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/cleanup for information on accepted items and guidelines for each event.

Lions Club Egg Hunt Saturday, April 19, 10 a.m. (Egg hunt begins promptly at 10:15 a.m.)

ROC, 3700 Monterey Drive • $6 per person; no fee for supervising adult Ages 3 – 8 hunt for candy and special eggs in separate age categories. Each participant will receive a bag to collect their goodies. Bring your camera for a picture with the St. Louis Park Bunny, and don’t forget to enter the coloring contest for prizes! Visit bit.ly/egg-hunt-2025 to register and learn more.

Parks and recreation staff awards Parks and Recreation Director Jason West recently received the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association’s (MRPA) Dr. Gerald B. Fitzgerald Leadership Award for his tireless work advancing the profession by making a difference in people’s lives.

Severe Weather Awareness Week:

April 7 – 11, 2025

Severe Weather Awareness Week is designed to refresh, remind and educate everyone about the seasonal threats from severe weather and how to avoid them. It’s also a great time to make and practice your emergency plan and build or refresh your emergency preparedness kit.

Statewide tornado drills are April 10

• 1:45 p.m. drill for schools and businesses • 6:45 p.m. drill for families and businesses

What conditions trigger emergency sirens?

You may hear emergency sirens in St. Louis Park for three reasons: 1. A tornado is spotted or developing in or near the city.

2. Straight-line winds have been recorded more than 70 miles per hour.

3. Siren testing on the first Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m.

Recreation Superintendant Nikki Friederich was also recognized with MRPA’s Nelson-Niles Award, honoring professionals in the parks and recreation field with more than 10 years of professional experience making an impact in the industry.

Recreation and Facilities Supervisor Heidi Batistich was recognized as one of the National Recreation and Park Association’s 30 Under 30 Award recipients, honoring young professionals whose hard work, innovation and dedication to parks and recreation excellence have made a profound impact on the community.

Drug take-back day

The St. Louis Park Police Department will host a prescription and over-the-counter drug take-back event Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the police department, 3015 Raleigh Ave. S. If you can’t attend, a medicine drop box is available 24/7 in the police department lobby. You can also find medicine disposal bags at Fire Station 1, the police department and city hall.

Other upcoming events and activities: Aquatic Park first day of summer event on June 6, Walk the Park, Annual Spring Ice Show and Move Into Spring Challenge. Stay informed of weather-related schedule changes by calling the weather line at 952.924.2567.

Visit www.stlouisparkmn.gov/events or scan the QR code for more details on city events and activities or to sign up for updates. Also, check out the spring/summer Parks and Recreation activity catalog.

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Spring 2025