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Dear District 6 neighbors,
I hope you are enjoying the warm weather! It is so lovely to see greenery and flowers starting to peek through. Each spring, we are reminded of the powerful role nature plays in our lives - providing beauty, clean air and water, shade, and countless other benefits that make our communities stronger and healthier. Our office recently celebrated Earth Day and Arbor Day; these days are important reminders that each of us has a role to play in caring for our environment and leaving a better world for the next generation.
As a county, and as individuals, we must continue doing all we can to limit the effects of climate change, protect public health, and ensure a vibrant future for all. I am proud of the work we are doing together in District 6, and I encourage you to explore opportunities to give back to our community this summer.
Additionally, I would love to start a volunteer highlight series where we showcase people all across District 6 volunteering for different causes. If you know of an event, or of a person that should be recognized, please reach out to my office!
Thank you for being an active part of our community and for all you do to help protect the place we call home.
With Gratitude,
Hennepin County Board of Commissioners Meetings
At the Hennepin County Committee and Board meetings over the past few weeks, we took the following actions:
- On May 6th, I joined Commissioner Lunde to introduce and pass a proclamation declaring May as Myositis Awareness Month in Hennepin County. Myositis is a rare disease with very few treatment options, and it is important to raise awareness about it and other rare diseases in our communities. This request was brought forward by two of my constituents, Denny and Lindsay. I appreciate them bringing this action forward and I was proud to pass this proclamation through the Board.
- The Board passed an agreement with the City of Eden Prairie expanding services of the Hennepin County Embedded Social Work Program.
- The Board passed an agreement between Hennepin County and the police departments of Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Eden Prairie, Golden Valley, Saint Louis Park and Shakopee Fire Department for the Weapons of Mass Destruction Tactical Response Team.
- The County entered into a new agreement with the cities of Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Medina, Minnetonka, Minnetrista, Orono, Saint Louis Park, and the West Metro Department of Public Safety for the West Metro Drug Task Force.
- The County entered an agreement with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force.
- The County approved funding for improvements for accessibility at several locations in conjunction with pavement preservation work. Pedestrian ramps and accessible signals will be upgraded to current standards along the following County State Aid Highways (CSAHs) in District 6:
- County Road State Highway 5 (Shoreline Drive) at West Arm Road in Spring Park
- County Road State Highway 19 (Smithtown Road) from Manitou Road to Shorewood Lane in Shorewood and Tonka Bay
We made several meaningful proclamations and recognized the following:
- May as American Indian Month
- May as National Foster Care Month
- May 15th as Global Accessibility Awareness Day
- April 30th as Therapy Animal Day
- April 20th - April 26th as Volunteer Recognition Week
- April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month
I was grateful for the opportunity to recognize the people and causes that make our community stronger, safer and more compassionate.
Coffee with the Commissioner at the Edina Library
Thank you to all who joined us for our Coffee with the Commissioner event on May 3rd! It was great to visit with constituents and hear about your ideas and concerns. I appreciate all who took time out of their day on a beautiful Saturday to attend!
Glen Lake Elementary Playground Opening
I had the honor of joining Glen Lake Elementary in Minnetonka to celebrate something truly powerful: an inclusive playground built from the compassion and determination of students and teachers with community support.
It started with a teacher and students who noticed a problem: some kids with physical disabilities couldn’t access the playground. Instead of accepting that, they raised over $600,000 to fix it. Hennepin County was proud to contribute $48,000 through our play grants, but the real story is the people. Families, neighbors, and local businesses (like the incredible Amy’s Cupcake Shop in Hopkins) made this possible.
Now all kids can play together! I had so many tears and left feeling truly inspired. And thanks to local author Nancy Carlson, their story lives on in A Swing for Samara - a beautiful book that captures this journey in such a lovely unique way.
 Earth Day and Arbor Day Acts of Service
Our office celebrated Earth and Arbor Day by doing service in the community! We unloaded 500 trees with Tree Trust in Eden Prairie and participated in a Mississippi River clean-up challenge the weekend before in friendly competition with Goodhue County.
It is important for each of us to do what we can to protect the nature in our community. From helping plant trees to protecting our great Mississippi River from pollution, we can all pitch in and do our part to make our neighborhoods more beautiful and resilient.
Mound and Eden Prairie City Council Presentations
I have continued my tour of presentations to city councils across the district by visiting Eden Prairie and Mound! It was great to present alongside Commissioner Debbie Goettel in Eden Prairie, and I enjoyed speaking with officials and constituents in Mound as well. Thanks to both cities for having me; I look forward to returning in the future!
Environmental Education Kit Reservations
Are you interested in conducting an environmental education lesson or activity with a group, but don’t have all the supplies you need? Environmental education kits are available at no cost for reservation by groups within Hennepin County.
Available kits include:
Brick of cans display, every drop water demonstration kit, food waste prevention, green cleaning, green gifts, green parties, household hazardous waste, organics recycling, recycled products, recycled bowling game, recycling education kit, recycling sorting kits, trees and forestry, and water quality game.
Guidelines:
The maximum checkout period is 10 days unless approved by special request. Kits must be picked up and returned to the Hennepin County Environment and Energy office in downtown Minneapolis. Please request kits a minimum of 10 days before they need to be picked up to allow staff time to prepare them for you. Learn more here!
Climate Generation's Summer Institute
Climate Generation's Teach Climate Network is hosting a three-day virtual climate change education institute to help educators explore curricula and tools to teach climate change concepts in all subject areas and settings. Registration cost is $250 with scholarships available. Find more details and register for the Summer Institute here.
Reuse Minnesota's "Repair, Reuse, and Repurpose" Day Camp
Reuse Minnesota is offering a summer day camp opportunity for youth ages 8 to 13. Campers will learn mending and sewing skills, complete creative upcycling projects, and explore how to reduce waste. Learn more about the camp and register.
Explore grants and funding opportunities from Hennepin County:
Hennepin County offers a variety of funding opportunities to help residents and partners implement projects that protect the environment.
Grants are available to:
- Improve recycling and prevent waste at businesses, apartment buildings, schools, and in the community.
- Salvage and reuse building materials at residential and commercial properties.
- Protect and restore land and water, including preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, cleaning up contaminated properties, planting and caring for trees, and installing projects that address erosion, plant native vegetation, restore natural areas, and improve soil.
- Provide youth environmental education, engage the community in taking action to protect the environment, and offer green jobs and training to youth.
Programs currently accepting applications that may be good fits for environmental education news subscribers include:
Hennepin County Resources
District 6 2025-2026 Transportation Projects
Here is a link to a map showing upcoming transportation projects for this year: Hennepin County 2025 transportation activities. Please reach out with any questions.
Join Hennepin Healthcare at their Teddy Bear Clinic – free community event
- Saturday, May 17 | 9am – 1pm | Hennepin Healthcare Clinic & Specialty Center | 715 S. 8th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Kids are invited to bring their Teddy Bears for a free and special Teddy Bear Clinic. Teddy Bears will be “admitted” and after being examined may have a variety of procedures performed including blood pressure and heart rate checks, injections, stitches, x-rays, or a splint or bandage placed on their paws. Our Teddy Bear Clinic will also feature teddy bear repairs and sew-ups, prevention activities, and ambulance and fire truck tours. Free parking available in the building's underground garage - entrance is at 821 Park Ave. The event will be held on the first floor. Learn more here!
NorthPoint’s Free Fresh Friday returns for 2025!
We are excited to bring back Free Fresh Food Fridays for 2025! Tons of fresh fruits, vegetables, and community resources will be set up on each date, all summer long – rain or shine! Everyone in the community is welcome at this event.
Dates: 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month, May through September
Location: NorthPoint main campus, north parking lot, corner of Penn Ave N & 14th Ave N
Learn more: Volunteer questions and application Community tabling questions and reservations
2025 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events
Hennepin County is holding four community collection events in 2025 to give residents more convenient, local disposal options for unwanted garden and household hazardous wastes.
Events will take place Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates:
- May 2 and 3 at the City of Minneapolis Equipment Storage building
- June 27 and 28 at St. Louis Park Middle School
- August 8 and 9 at South High School in Minneapolis
- September 19 and 20 at the Hennepin County Public Works Orono Shop
Before you go, check safety guidelines and the list of acceptable materials.
Stay Connected!
We want to ensure that our residents are as informed as they can be with County business. To that end, you can view our County Board and Committee meetings here, as well as view past meetings. Please reach out if you have any questions about viewing meetings online or in-person. As always, I encourage you to reach out to me with any other questions or feedback you’d like to share at heather.edelson@hennepin.us or 612-348-6885. You can also follow me on my official Facebook page for updates.
Sincerely,
Heather Edelson
County Commissioner, Hennepin County District 6
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent Deephaven, north Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, northern Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.
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Heather Edelson
Commissioner
6th District
Raina Meyer
Policy Director
Clara Wicklund
Assistant to the Commissioner
Office Phone Number: 612-348-6885
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