July 2024 E-News

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].

"My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together."

-- Desmond Tutu

EPNI July 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].

Please post & share this July 2024 EPNI Events Calendar Flyer (PDF + PNG)

NO JULY BOARD MEETING - EPNI Board Meeting

Wednesday, July 31st - FREE Community Coffee with the Elliot Park Coalition
9:00-10:30am • At Elliot Park Rec Center, 1000 E. 14th Ave.

ALL are welcome to join in a summer series of biweekly Wednesday morning community coffee hours at Elliot Park, to enjoy coffee, treats & community with your neighbors.

The June 26th coffee hour is hosted by EPNI, co-leader of the Elliot Park Coalition, working to explore and implement new ways to strengthen positive connection and activity as a way to improve safety in the neighborhood.

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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July Community Calendar

Monday, July 29th - 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!

Wednesday, July 17th - Minnesota House District 61A Primary Candidates Forum
7:00pm-9:00pm • At Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church 2020 W Lake of the Isles Pkwy

July 24th - 27th - Minneapolis Aquatennial

Mark your calendar for the Aquatennial Torchlight Parade on July 24th and the can't-miss Target Fireworks on July 27th. Learn more here

Wednesday, July 24th - Loring Park Family Fun Night • 5:30pm-7:30pm • Start and end in Loring Park,1382 Willow St.

Enjoy music, food, and entertainment before the Minneapolis Aquatennial Parade! Free and fun for all ages.

Monday, June 17th - FREE Elliot Park Summer Kickoff Community BBQ
5:30-8:30pm • At Elliot Park Rec Center, 1000 E. 14th Ave.

🌳🎉 Congratulations to Kelly and Liam! 🎉🌳

A big shoutout to Kelly and Liam for winning the tree watering lottery prize of $100! Your dedication to keeping our neighborhood green is truly inspiring.

There are two fun and easy ways YOU can get involved to help our new Elliot Park Tree Canopy green and grow to health maturity:

1)Adopt a Tree! Sign up to Adopt your very own baby tree in Elliot Park, to commit to water and care for it, and win prizes! We'll connect with you to set up a watering plan, with the supplies you may need. Tree adopters are thanked with a $20 gift card for signing up, and can then enter their name for monthly $100 prize drawings this summer, each time you water your tree. Sign up HERE to Adopt a Tree!

2) Attend a Tree Watering Party! Come on out and join your neighbors for monthly tree watering parties (snacks & supplies provided) this summer, the 2nd Saturday of the month, 10:00am-12:00pm

Sat. August 10th: @ Franklin Steele Park, 1600 Portland Ave. S.

Sat. Sept. 14th: @ Currie Park, 500 15th Ave. S.

EPNI Updates

How to Run for the EPNI Board:

To apply, fill out this quick online application form (also includes a Board Description) HERE. You can also print and complete a PDF version of the application (HERE), to be dropped off or mailed to EPNI, 802 S. 10th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404.

Join a Neighborhood Connection, Care & Cleanup Walk 4pm, the 2nd Tuesday of the Month this Summer!

Or want to lead your own walk? Sign up HERE!

Understanding that the needs for Elliot Park neighborhood care and clean-up are ongoing, EPNI will host monthly Neighborhood Connection, Care & Cleanup Walks all are welcome to join throughout the summer, on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 4:00-5:15pm, meeting at the Elliot Park Rec Center, 1000 E. 14th Street:

- Tuesday, August 13th

- Tuesday, September 10th

As the name indicates, these monthly walks go beyond the Cleanup! The walks are also a chance to intentionally connect with your neighbors outside, and to together show there are neighbors here to actively care for the neighborhood and the people who live here.

We additionally invite neighbors to sign up to lead their own small walks, so together, we can cover more ground in keeping Elliot Park well cared for. We'll provide training & supplies and, you let us know what additional support you may need, if any. Teamwork makes the dream work! If you would like to schedule your own Neighborhood Connection, Care & Cleanup Walk, please fill out this quick form or reach out with questions!

2024 Elliot Park Quick Resident Survey: 5 Questions, 10 Minutes -- Let YOUR Voice Be Heard - Survey HERE!

"There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about." – Margaret J. Wheatley

EPNI Renter's Corner

311: Did You Know . . . ?

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

It's easy and accessible! Ways to contact 311:

- Call 311 / TTY: 612-263-6850: Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm

- Email: [email protected]

- Text 311 or get the 311 mobile app

If you need immediate emergency assistance, contact 911.

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.

City & Community Updates

MPRB: Elliot Park & Rec Center CORNER

Elliot Park Playground & Park Improvements SURVEY

BACKGROUND on Elliot Park Improvements:

Beginning 2024, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) has funding to make park improvements to Elliot Park. Staff will be using the park plan design developed in 2017 as part of the Downtown Service Area Master Plan (DSAMP) as a framework for the work, and engagement this spring will inform next steps in the priorities and design.

MPRB is aware that safety concerns have arisen due to recent illicit activities happening on the east side of the park. Staff anticipates using these funds to activate the park and support increased safety.

Elliot Park Improvements Survey:

Sahanka Hagaajinta Beerta Elliot - Af-Soomaali:

We want to hear from you about what you want to see improved on the east side of the park in 2024 and 2025!

Take the Elliot Park Improvement Survey HERE!

Halkan ka qaad Sahanka Hagaajinta Elliot Park!

Check out the Elliot Park project page for more information:

www.minneapolisparks.org/elliotpark

Summer Pop-Ups at Elliot Park!

Hey, Elliot Park youth & teens! Come check out these fun summer pop-ups on these summer Fridays at Elliot Park & Rec Center, 1000 E. 14th Street:

- Friday, July July 19th, 5:00-8:00pm

- Friday, August 2nd, 5:00-8:00pm

- Friday, August 16th, 5:00-8:00pm

What’s that? What’s going on? If you hear music and laughter and see teens hanging around with smiles on their faces, an MPRB POP-UP PARK may have arrived in your neighborhood. The POP-UP PARK tent will burst with music, art, games, sports equipment, crafts, dance and more, and literally will pop-up in neighborhoods that have been/are particularly challenged with street safety and transportation issues for teens, as well as at neighborhood park festivals and other community events to encourage teens to join in their community’s gatherings, and to learn about available resources. The MPRB Park Pop-Ups are staffed with fun, caring, energetic and positive adult/young adult staff who will ensure safe and engaging activities during the summer.

Summer Youth Activities at Elliot Park!

Hey there, Elliot Park Youth -- Come kick off summer with a neighborhood BBQ and check out summer fishing, tree care club, and other fun activities. Browse & register HERE for Elliot Park summer programs at https://www.minneapolisparks.org/activities-events/ OR call Henry, Youth Program Coordinator: (612) 456-9793 to register or get more info!

What is Youthline?

Youthline is a youth enrichment track through MPRB that focuses on Teens and Tweens. Youthline staff lead activities on and off park sites with an emphasis on mentorship, youth leadership, life skills learning, and outdoor education adventures. Learn more and find participating sites at minneapolisparks.org and search Youthline.

Follow Elliot park and get updates on city wide Youthline events on Instagram

@elliotparkrec

@MplsParkYouthline

Got a great idea for adult programming you'd like to see at Elliot Park Rec Center? Let the park know: (612) 370-4772.

New Updates & Neighborhood Opportunities:

Volunteer to break down language barriers at your local food shelf!

Become a Spanish Specialist and bridge gaps of communication! Join the Shelf of Hope team with people who believe that all human beings deserve food and their basic needs met. You work directly with the people you are helping, face-to-face, building a caring and connective community.

Every week at the Shelf of Hope, there is a large demand from people who only speak Spanish. We only have a handful of bilingual volunteers, which can make communication challenging.

We’re looking for bilingual volunteers to help serve shoppers who only speak Spanish at the Shelf of Hope!

Spanish Specialist - Wednesdays

8:30AM - 10:30AM | 10:30AM - 12:30PM | or both slots

- Serve the community – high energy

- Open and close preparation

- Must be fluent in Spanish and English

Our neighbors are often alienated by stereotypes and misconceptions. This unique position gives you the opportunity to break down these misunderstandings and experience them for who they are: human beings .

Sign up to volunteer HERE! Volunteers must pass a background check, and be interviewed, and receive staff approval before starting. If you are interested, contact the Volunteer Manager: Noah Chan | 612 327 6389 | [email protected].

Ongoing Notices & Opportunities:

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.

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/.