🌞July 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].

Neighborhood Night Out

NEW - 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/D31aR6EYRSWFbgmV6

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:

• Celebrate Elliot Park’s history, diversity, and future

• Feel welcoming, inclusive, and inspiring to all

• 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:

• The 15th St. side (91’ x 17’)

• The Chicago Ave. side (45’ x 17’)

• Or both!

Key Dates:

• Submission deadline: August 12

• Community vote: August 13, 6:00–7:30 PM at Elliot Park Rec Center (open to all!)

• Final approval by NCU (artists may be asked to adjust designs)

Why Participate?

• Your art could become a lasting landmark for Elliot Park!

• Winning designs may also be used for future EPNI projects.

• Help shape the visual identity of our neighborhood.

Ready to create? Submit your artwork HERE: https://forms.gle/D31aR6EYRSWFbgmV6

Questions? Email [email protected] Let’s make something beautiful together!

Elliot Park Sustainability + Cleanup Series 

Need funds for your Elliot Park Neighborhood Project? Applications still open for the Elliot Park Mini-Grant Program! 

Support Your Neighborhood – Donate Today!

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)

• $5 – "The Friendly Neighbor" 🍽️
  
  • Covers compostable utensils for community events!
• $20 – "The Connector” 🤝
  
  • Prints flyers to rally neighbors for upcoming events!
• $50 – "The Cookie Commander” ☕🍪
  
  • Keeps volunteers energized with snacks & coffee at meetings!
• $100 – "The Environment Guardian" 🌳
  
  • Funds clean up days for our neighborhood!
• $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.

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]. Para solicitar servicios de interpretación o adaptaciones para estos actos, póngase en contacto con [email protected].as

Please visit the EPNI web Calendar for event details & to RSVP! Also post and share our June Event Calendar flyer which is linked here and posted above. Flyer PDF

Wednesday, July 9th - 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

Draft Agenda: [Draft Agenda Link]

Monday, July 21st - 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!

Monday, July 28th - 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
• Start a Food Distribution Program

Tuesday, July 29th - Drop in Resource Day for Elliot Park Opioid Outreach • 3:00-5:00pm • At Elliot Park Rec Center, 1000 E. 14th Ave.

New Hope for Opioid Addiction
A long-acting treatment for fentanyl & opioid addiction is now available.

Get Connected
Find local support for treatment, healthcare, insurance, housing & more.

Join Us
Share a meal & take home groceries.

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!

July Community Calendar

MPRB - Elliot Park & Recreation Center Events

Search the program by keyword, or filter by location to see all programs at Elliot Park.

The Minneapolis Downtown Council's Community Calendar is your source for downtown events & FREE fun!

EPNI Updates & Project Reports

6/26 Neighborhood Safety Forum

6/30 Youth Service Project - Neighborhood Cleanup

On June 30th, EPNI partnered with a group of youth and adult volunteers, organized by Jericho Road to do hands-on learning about the value of community care and involvement, and a neighborhood cleanup, tackling litter along E 14th St, 11th Ave S, Chicago Ave, and E 17th St. More than 20 dedicated volunteers—including high school youth and adult volunteers, who traveled from Chatfield, Rochester, and other parts of Minnesota—grabbed trash grabbers and bags and got to work beautifying our streets, and helped care for Elliot Park. Their efforts made a visible difference across the neighborhood! A huge thank you to everyone who pitched in to help keep Elliot Park clean and welcoming. 

Want to join the next cleanup? Check out our upcoming volunteer opportunities at www.elliotpark.org/calendar. Together, we can make an even bigger impact!

Our Purple Air Monitor Is Live – Check Our Air Quality Now!

We’re excited to share that our PurpleAir air quality monitor is now live! This tool provides real-time, hyperlocal air quality data to help you stay informed about conditions in our area.

Special thanks to Toya Lopez who applied for, and was approved for an Elliot Park Mini-Grant to fund this project!

🔗 View our air quality here: https://map.purpleair.com/air-quality-standards-us-epa-aqi?opt=%2F1%2Flp%2Fa10%2Fp604800%2FcC0&select=279335#14.27/44.97061/-93.26405

The monitor tracks PM2.5 levels and displays them using the EPA Air Quality Index (AQI), making it easy to understand current conditions. Whether you're planning outdoor activities or just curious about local air quality, this resource is for you!

Stay healthy and informed—bookmark the link and check back often. Let us know if you have any questions!

Your EPNI Team

City & Community Updates

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

Updates & Neighborhood Opportunities:

Community Solar Garden Opportunity

Immigrant Resources

EPNI Renter's Corner

311: Did You Know . . . ?

Ongoing Notices & Opportunities:

Resources for Unhoused People

To access more resources visit: https://www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/waypoint