August E-News 2025
To request this information in another language or format, please contact [email protected]. Si aad u codsato foomkan oo qaab ama luqad kale ah, fadlan la xiriir [email protected]. Para solicitar esta información en otro idioma o formato, póngase en contacto con [email protected].
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Elliot Park Neighborhood Night Out is THIS Tuesday 8/5, 5:30-8:00pm!
Join Us for Elliot Park’s Premier Annual Celebration – Neighborhood Night Out!
Mark your calendars for Elliot Park’s biggest community event of the year—Neighborhood Night Out! This lively gathering is a chance to enjoy free food, music, games, and activities for all ages, while connecting with neighbors and discovering local resources.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Tuesday, August 5th
⏰ Time: 5:30–8:00 PM
📍 Location: Elliot Park & Recreation Center (1000 E. 14th Street)
What to Expect
- Free food and refreshments: Enjoy FREE grill favorites, watermelon, East Village sambusas, JohnnyPops, & refill your water bottle with TapMpls!
- Live DJ music and family-friendly entertainment
- Games, crafts, and activities for kids and adults
- Community resource tables featuring neighborhood organizations & local representatives
Get Involved!
Volunteers still needed at NNO! Sign Up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548ADAF22A3FAC43-57644397-elliot#/
All are welcome—bring your friends, family, and neighbors for a night of fun and community spirit!
Don’t miss out on this special evening—we hope to see you there!
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NEW - Deadline EXTENDED to October! Submit Your Original Artwork to the Elliot Park Neighborhood Mural Contest!
Call for Artists: Help Tell Elliot Park’s Story Through a Mural!
Submit your design HERE: https://forms.gle/6vbz9nvj1WDtVPnv9
Elliot Park Neighborhood (EPNI) and North Central University are teaming up for an exciting summer mural competition—and we want your creativity to bring our community’s story to life!
The Vision:
We’re looking for bold, vibrant mural designs that:
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Celebrate Elliot Park’s history, diversity, and future
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Feel welcoming, inclusive, and inspiring to all
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Reflect the spirit of our neighborhood and its people
The Canvas:
The winning design(s) will be painted on the Praise FM building (15th St. & Chicago Ave.) by a team of NCU students and community volunteers. Artists can submit designs for:
Key Dates:
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Submission deadline: October 10th
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Community vote: October 14th, 6:00–7:30 PM at Elliot Park Rec Center (open to all!)
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Final approval by NCU (artists may be asked to adjust designs)
Why Participate?
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Your art could become a lasting landmark for Elliot Park!
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Winning designs may also be used for future EPNI projects.
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Help shape the visual identity of our neighborhood.
- Cash prize for winning design/s!
Ready to create? Submit your artwork HERE: https://forms.gle/g4mHC6zAzGAJXUn66
Questions? Email [email protected] Let’s make something beautiful together!
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Food Donations – Tuesday Evenings
Food Donation Drive: Tuesday Evenings at the Elliot Park Rec Center (or anytime during park hours): We’re accepting non-perishable food donations (especially "grab & go" / no cook items, and canned goods, pasta, rice, etc.) —every contribution helps feed our neighbors!
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Food Distribution- Wednesday mornings
Distribution for community members: Wednesday Mornings at Elliot Park Rec Center, starting July 23rd: 9:30am registration/get your ticket; distribution from 10-11:30 (or until supplies last)!
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Interested in joining our food donation and distribution efforts? We’re always seeking volunteers to lend a hand. Click the button below to sign up!
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Elliot Park Sustainability + Cleanup Series
Join the Elliot Park Sustainability + Cleanup Series 2025! 🌍 Mark your calendars for these upcoming events
August 26 for the Cooperative Energy Futures Training ⚡
September 17 for Waste Wise Recycling + E-Waste Collection ♻️
October 15 for the Zero Burn Coalition Training 🔥.
All events run from 6:00–7:30 PM at the Elliot Park Rec Center (1000 E. 14th St.), and FREE food 🍕 will be provided! Let’s work together to make our community cleaner and more sustainable—see you there!
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Need funds for your Elliot Park Neighborhood Project? Applications still open for the Elliot Park Mini-Grant Program!
Got a fun idea to bring your neighbors together? We’d love to help!
Do you live or work in Elliot Park? Have a creative idea to help build community, share resources, or simply get folks talking and connecting more? Whether it’s something new for your apartment building, your block, or the whole neighborhood—we want to hear it!
We’ve got mini-grants available to help you bring your project to life. From game nights to garden projects to porch concerts—if it brings people together, it’s worth doing.
With your fun idea, let’s make Elliot Park even more connected!"
Elliot Park Neighborhood Inc. (EPNI) invites you to turn your ideas into reality with our new Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program (up to $500 per project). We're looking for creative ways to build connections - from block parties to art projects, community gardens to skill-shares.
Priority given to:
• New applicants
• Underrepresented communities (BIPOC, renters, students, low-income residents, people with disabilities)
Key Details:
✓ Must benefit Elliot Park residents
✓ Open to all neighbors, workers & local organizations
✓ Rolling applications accepted until funds run out
Get Started:Apply HERE
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Has this newsletter helped you connect to local resources? Have you enjoyed a neighborhood event we’ve put on, or met neighbors through a neighborhood meeting? Elliot Park Neighborhood could use your support! We’re hoping to raise $750 from neighbors like you within the next month.
The money we raise will go towards:
- Translating our print materials to make sure our programs are accessible
- Nitty-gritty event details, like food, outreach, etc.
- Keeping our organization going by paying our staff and book keeper.
Donation Tiers (Every Donation Helps)
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$5 – "The Friendly Neighbor" 🍽️
- Covers compostable utensils for community events!
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$20 – "The Connector” 🤝
- Prints flyers to rally neighbors for upcoming events!
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$50 – "The Cookie Commander” ☕🍪
- Keeps volunteers energized with snacks & coffee at meetings!
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$100 – "The Environment Guardian" 🌳
- Funds clean up days for our neighborhood!
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$500 – "The Neighborhood Hero" ❤️
- Funds a neighborhood event OR directs funds where they’re needed most!
Will you help us reach our goal? You can donate by clicking here.
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EPNI August Calendar
To request interpreting services or accommodations for these events, please contact [email protected]. Si aad u codsato turjubaan ama waafajin, fadlan la xiriir [email protected]. Para solicitar servicios de interpretación o adaptaciones para estos actos, póngase en contacto con [email protected].as
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Please visit the EPNI web Calendar for event details & to RSVP! Also post and share our August Event Calendar flyer which is linked here and posted above. Flyer PDF
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Wednesday, August 13th - Neighborhood Vitality & Land Use Joint Committees Meeting
6:30-8:00pm • At Elliot Park Rec Center, 1000 E. 14th Ave., or participate via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84231574529
ALL are welcome to the joint EPNI Neighborhood Vitality & Land Use Committees meeting—bring your ideas and connect with your neighbors! This joint committee structure is your "one-stop shop" for involvement in new and ongoing projects serving our shared Elliot Park community.
At the Land Use & Transportation committee, we will hear the latest updates about the upcoming Elliot Park improvements, groundbreaking, and construction schedule from Michael Jones, MPRB Senior Planner. We'll hear new updates from Ethan Knight on the "Reimagining I-94" project, with a request to reconsider EPNI's support for the project. At the Neighborhood Vitality committee, we'll review updates and involvement opportunities on a number of current projects, including the Food Distributions, the Opioid Outreach project, the collaborative Elliot Park Community Mural and Mini-Grant projects.
Bring your voice -- ALL are welcome! Questions or want to learn more? Contact [email protected] or call/text (612) 234-2280. See you there!
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Monday, August 18th -EPNI Board Meeting 6:00-7:30pm • At Elliot Park Rec Center, 1000 E. 14th Ave.
Your voice matters, and your insights are invaluable. Join the EPNI monthly Board meeting to stay informed, share your ideas, and help shape the future of our community. Together, we can make our neighborhood an even better place to live. ALL are welcome -- see you there!
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Monday, August 25th - Elliot Park Food Access Work Group 6:30-7:30pm • At Elliot Park Rec Center, 1000 E. 14th Ave.
Join neighbors to work collectively on our food access goals, such as:
- Bring a Grocery Store or Co-op to Elliot Park
- Expand Food-sharing Community Gardens
- Continue our Food Distribution Program
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Weds, Aug. 27th - Elliot Park Sustainability Series event 6-7:30 • At Elliot Park Rec Center, 1000 E. 14th Ave.
What is community-led energy sustainability? How does this impact me, and how can I get involved? Learn the answers to these questions and your own, at an interactive community ed session with Community Energy Futures (CEF) + join a mini neighborhood cleanup! Refreshments and supplies provided!
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Do you have a suggestion or question for Elliot Park Neighborhood Inc.? Email [email protected] or text / call (612) 234-2280 and we will get back to you soon!
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August Community Calendar
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Monday, August 4th & 25th - Ward 6 City Councilmember Jamal Osman Community Office Hours • 3:00-4:00pm • At Lutunji's Palate, 1400 Park. Ave S. #1010
Come have a chat with your Ward 6 Councilmember Jamal Osman - The first & last Monday of each month, 3-4pm!
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Adopt-A-Tree
🌳 Help Water Our Trees – Earn Rewards!
We’re entering Year 2 of the Elliot Park Canopy Project and need your help watering last year’s new trees!
How It Works:
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$25 stipend for adopting a tree
- Earn extra rewards based on how often you water:
- $10 for watering 2+ weeks/month.
- $25 for watering every week.
- Grand prize raffle at the end of the season!
Questions? Email [email protected].
Thanks for keeping our trees thriving! 💧🌿
(Shout-out to last year’s lottery winners: Kelly, Liam, Loveday, Ibsa, Sanjana, and Ben!)
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MPRB - Elliot Park & Recreation Center Events
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MPRB Elliot Park Rec Center Recurring Events
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Search the program by keyword, or filter by location to see all programs at Elliot Park.
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The Minneapolis Downtown Council's Community Calendar is your source for downtown events & FREE fun!
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 EPNI Updates & Project Reports
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7/29 Drop In Resource Day
 
On July 29th, seventeen community service providers came together in Elliot Park to hold a second Drop-in Resource Day, to support our collaborative Eliot Park Opioid Treatment Outreach Project. This event connected neighbors with resources including opioid treatment, medical and mental healthcare access, housing, health insurance, food access, etc. Neighbors were welcomed with care and a hot meal as well. Thank you to all our dedicated community partners!
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July Kickoff - New Wednesday morning Produce & Food Distribution at Elliot Park & Rec!
 
This month, the Elliot Park Neighborhood Inc. (EPNI), alongside community partners, launched a new weekly food donation and distribution program to help address food insecurity in the neighborhood.
The program, slated as a pilot to run through the current harvest season, provides fresh, neighborhood grown produce and food items to neighbors. Distributions take place every Wednesday at the Elliot Park Rec Center, with doors opening at 9:30 AM for guests to register and enjoy a community coffee. At 10:00 AM, participants can browse and select from local produce and grocery options. The first distribution on July 16th featured Gethsemane Community Garden's first harvest of produce, with additional food items becoming available starting July 23rd. The event wraps up at about 11:30 or when supplies run out.
This initiative wouldn’t be possible without the support of dedicated volunteers, as well as generous contributions from our project partners, Gethsemane Community Garden and Jericho Road, in further partnership with Second Harvest Heartland and Food Group. A special thanks also goes to the Elliot Park Rec Center for providing the space to host the distributions. By working together, EPNI and its partners are taking meaningful steps toward improving food access in the community.
We do need to continue to build a core group of volunteers to help sustain this important new project -- and we have fun doing it! Please consider donating a couple hours of your time by signing up for either just one, or returning volunteer shifts to support the Wednesday food distribution HERE! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548ADAF22A3FAC43-57585766-elliot#/
If you’d like to get involved—whether through volunteering, donating food, or spreading the word—you can also reach out to EPNI for more details. Let’s continue building a stronger, healthier Elliot Park for all!
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7/16 Elliot Park Sustainability Series: Neighborhood Cleanup Kick-Off!
On Wednesday, July 16th, neighbors gathered at the Elliot Park Rec Center at 6:00 PM for the Sustainability Series Cleanup Kickoff, an initiative organized by EPNI to promote a cleaner, greener community. Volunteers were equipped with orange vests, trash bags, grabbers, and gloves before goin out across the neighborhood to collect litter and clean up our neighborhood. The event not only helped improve the area’s appearance but also fostered a sense of collective responsibility for the environment. A special thank you goes to the Elliot Park Rec Center for hosting and to all the dedicated volunteers who donated their time and effort to make this cleanup a success. Stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved in EPNI’s Sustainability Series as we work together to keep Elliot Park vibrant and clean!
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2025 Back-to-School Supply Drive
We’re excited to invite you to You Matter Minnesota's 2025 Back-to-School Supply Drive on August 16th! This family-friendly event is all about equipping students with the tools they need for a successful school year while enjoying a day of fun, food, and community.
Event Highlights:
✅ Free backpacks & school supplies – Helping students start the year strong!
✅ Free BBQ – Delicious food for everyone.
✅ Face painting & bouncy houses – Fun activities for kids.
✅ Free haircuts & styles (as available) – Fresh looks for the new school year.
Details:
📅 Date: August 16th, 2025
📍 Location: Elliot Park Rec Center
For more information, contact 612-207-7885 or visit www.YouMatterMinnesota.org.
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Celebrate Fatherhood! Join Us for the 2025 Global Fatherhood Awards
Join Neighbors at Brooklyn Park for the 2025 Global Fatherhood Awards, an evening dedicated to honoring fathers who uplift families, strengthen communities, and shape a brighter future for the next generation.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, August 23rd, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM (CST)
📍 Location: Brooklyn Park Community Center
5600 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
Highlights of the Evening:
🌟 Keynote Speaker: Dr. James C. Rodriguez, MSW – President & CEO of Fathers and Families Coalition of America
🗳️ Final Voting Open: Cast your vote now to help recognize outstanding fathers!
🎉 Special Guest: Earl A. Miller, Family Supports Unit Director, Community & Reentry Division
How to Participate:
✅ Vote Now: Have your say in honoring remarkable fathers.
📩 Questions? Contact us at (763) 205-9643 or [email protected].
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Understanding Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV): Beyond One Choice
On November 4, 2025, Minneapolis voters will head to the polls for critical municipal elections. Important city offices will be on the ballot: the city’s next mayor, all city council members, park district commissioners, at-large members of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and representatives on the Board of Estimation and Taxation.
To vote in Minnesota, you need to be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 on Election Day, and have lived in the state for 20 days. You can’t be in prison for a felony or under a court order that takes away your right to vote. Minnesota makes voting easy with same-day registration—so you can show up, sign up, and cast your ballot all at once. Just be sure to provide proof of your identity and residence within the precinct.
With so many races on the ballot and the implementation of ranked-choice voting, it’s essential to understand how the system works and why it matters to your vote. RCV can initially feel confusing, especially if you are not familiar with the process. Since RCV is only utilized in the Minneapolis municipal elections, you may be encountering it for the first time. Once you understand it, you'll be better equipped to make your choices and ensure your vote is counted.
Each year, ballots are rejected due to being improperly marked, so you will want to know how to accurately rank your candidates. Understanding RCV will allow you to participate in the democratic process as a more informed and confident voter.
Read full article here
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Updates & Neighborhood Opportunities:
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Community Solar Garden Opportunity
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Cooperative Energy Futures (CEF) is a local energy cooperative housed in South Minneapolis at the Sabathani Community Center.
They are collaborating with various neighborhood organizations and community-based organizations to spread the word about their Community Solar Garden (CSG) Program that saves you money on your Xcel bill, while building community-member owned
renewable energy infrastructure. We give priority to community members with lower incomes or that participate in programs like SNAP, WIC, energy assistance and Medicaid.
Our community-member owned CSG program allows community members, whether you rent or own, to share the benefits of the solar array we are building on the parking canopy at Abbott Northwestern Hospital at 28th and Chicago.
Learn more at this link: https://www.cooperativeenergyfutures.com/community-solar-1
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EPNI Renter's Corner
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HOMEline
HOME Line provides free and low-cost legal, organizing, education, and advocacy services so that tenants throughout Minnesota can solve their own rental housing problems.
Have a question for HOME Line?
Call 612-728-5767
or email an attorney
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Report rental issues to 311
Contact 311 to report rental housing issues or speak to a housing liaison. You can also track complaints online on the 311 property complaint dashboard.
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311: Did You Know . . . ?
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311 is the remote access point for ALL non-emergency info & service requests
You can call 311 to:
- Report and get resolution to problems, and follow up on the status of issues
* Remember - there are power in numbers. If a number of affected neighbors call 311 about the same issue, it may speed up response time.
- Find out about City services
- Get other city-related information
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It's easy and accessible! Ways to contact 311:
If you need immediate emergency assistance, contact 911.
Want to read more about 311? Check out resources provided by the city
311 Website: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/departments/311/
View flyer from city in different languages. English, Spanish, Somali, Hmong
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Ongoing Notices & Opportunities:
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Homebuyer & Home Improvement Opportunities
Click link for larger graphic of image below
The city has resources available for home buying and home improvement. Including down payment assistance for specific homes and financing options to improve your house. For more information see the flyer above.
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Minneapolis Green Cost Share Program
We are excited to work with the Minneapolis Green Cost Share program, a project that helps our city be greener! The Green Cost Share program provides up to $14,000 in rebates to eligible homeowners in our neighborhood. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your next project using the Minneapolis Green Cost Share program. Together, we can make Minneapolis a better place to live.
Green Cost Share Contact Info:
Minneapolis Health Department, [email protected], 612-673-2301
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Resources for Unhoused People
To access more resources visit: https://www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/waypoint
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Want a free ride & a cleaner bus stop? Adopt-a-Stop!
WHAT: Individuals and groups can "adopt" a Metro Transit bus stop to help keep it clean and cared for, and alert Metro Transit staff to special maintenance needs and reporting vandalism or suspicious activity.
WHY: Help everyone have a safer ride experience and and get 10 free rides each month!
HOW: Learn more and apply online for Metro Transit Adopt-A-Stop program HERE.
Want to partner through EPNI to Adopt-a-Stop? Come talk about it at the Land Use & Transportation committee meeting, or contact us at [email protected] or text/call 612-234-2280
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Shop the Mobile Market!
The Twin Cities Mobile Market continues on Wednesdays! You can find the bus at 1515 Park Ave. All are welcome to stop by and shop. The market has beautiful and affordable produce, meat, dairy, bread, and more.
You can view the full schedule here on the Park Center Hi-Rise site. Sign up for text updates. To learn more about the Mobile Market, please visit thefoodgroupmn.org/twin-cities-mobile-market/.
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