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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Happy Spring! I hope you've been able to enjoy these first weeks of warmer weather. With the season change, I know that schedules start filling fast, and Hennepin County is no different. Take a look below for highlights from the county board, and around our community.
- Take a short Toward Zero Deaths survey on making our transportation system safer
- Learn more about Hennepin County Children and Family Services phasing-in Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act
- Find details on the Hennepin County History Museum Hennepin Fest
- Make your Bike to Work Day plan on May 16
- Read about how Hennepin County planning efforts create intentional connected communities
- Check out the schedules for the annual Salvage Crawl, and the Hennepin County Hazardous Waste collection event
- Learn more about joining Hennepin Healthcare for a Teddy Bear Clinic, and
- Hennepin County Service Centers are now offering marriage ceremonies
My best,
Hennepin County is in the process of creating a safety action plan with a focus on saving lives along our transportation system. We are committed to hearing from you as our partners to improve safety.
Visit BeHeard Hennepin’s Toward Zero Deaths to learn more, take a short survey and provide feedback. Your safety is important to us and your input is valuable for us to complete this plan.
Hennepin County Children and Family Services has received funds from the Minnesota Department of Human Services to phase-in the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act. Funding will also support the implementation and administration of the African American and Disproportionality Represented Family Preservation Grants.
The purpose of the act and funding is to promote the stability and security of African American and disproportionately represented children and their families by establishing minimum standards to prevent arbitrary and unnecessary removal from their families. If children are removed, the goal is to improve permanency outcomes, including family reunification, for African American and disproportionately represented children.
This action supports the county’s disparity reduction efforts by establishing requirements to prevent the out-of-home placement of African American or disproportionately represented children, including providing active efforts and developing a safety plan. This action works to prevent entry into the child welfare system and to reduce deep end involvement for those BIPOC families and disproportionately represented children in the child protection system.
You’re invited to join the Hennepin History Museum for Hennepin Fest (www.HennepinHistory.org/HennepinFest), a women-led music and cultural festival hosted by Hennepin History Museum on Saturday, May 31 (2-7pm) in historic Washburn Fair Oaks Park in Minneapolis.
This free public festival, featuring radio host and producer Diane Miller, celebrates the history and culture of our community through music, spoken word, and a Vendor Village with local artists and artisans.
Witness performances by local musicians who are leaving their impact on history: DJ/MC Diane, Maria Isa, Annie Mack Music, NUNNABOVE, and Connie Evingson.
The City of Minneapolis will celebrate Bike To Work Day Friday, May 16. There’s no better time than the present to make your daily commute healthier, greener and more fun.
Group rides
Four group rides to downtown will meet up at 7:30 a.m. across the city. Meet at:
- Farview Park (intersection of Lyndale Avenue and 26th Avenue North)
- Great Northern Greenway (intersection of Fifth Street and 18th Avenue Northeast)
- 38th Street Station (intersection of Hiawatha Avenue and East 38th Street)
- Lyndale Farmstead Park (intersection of Bryant Avenue South and West 40th Street)
Join elected officials, public works leaders and fellow bike commuters for free coffee, donuts, and more on the Hennepin County Government Center Plaza from 7-9 a.m.
Learn more here.
Lovable places don’t just happen. Think of that city or neighborhood that you love to visit – Paris, Charleston, South Carolina, or closer to home, downtown Robbinsdale or the Minneapolis riverfront.
These places often have a variety of housing options and neighborhood essentials like parks, libraries, and grocery stores all within comfortable walking distance, and they don’t just happen overnight.
Having a small area plan in some form, as well as code requirements that allow the sorts of desired uses, buildings, infrastructure and that promote walkability can be instrumental in achieving success. Plans and zoning requirements serve as enforceable tools for city staff and elected officials, and if done well, can be helpful guides for community members and developers to know what’s allowed and desired.
Hennepin County supports such planning efforts through the Hennepin Planning Grants program and invests in infrastructure and development projects in these areas through other programs, such as the Business District Initiative and Transit Oriented Communities programs.
Read more about the impact of this work.
This May, join treasure hunters and DIY enthusiasts to shop at local salvage retailers and win prizes. Participate in Hennepin County’s Salvage Crawl and get to know 12 home improvement thrift stores in the Twin Cities.
Find the list of retailers and interactive map at hennepin.us/salvage.
Salvage retailers offer a wide variety of building materials, hardware, tools, and other home improvement items. From old growth lumber to vintage light fixtures and everything in between, you’ll be sure to find both inspiration and quality materials for your next project.
How to participate
Visit participating salvage retailers from May 1 to 31 and check in using the QR code on the Hennepin County Salvage Crawl poster near the checkout counter to be entered into a drawing to win prizes. Find a list of retailers, interactive map, and description of prizes at hennepin.us/salvage.
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
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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.
Join Hennepin Healthcare for a Teddy Bear Clinic – a 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. Take elevator to first floor for event.
More information here.
Hennepin County Service Centers now offer marriage ceremonies. Get your marriage license and complete your ceremony in one visit to the Service Center.
Learn more here.
Contact us
Marion Greene
Commissioner, 3rd District
612-348-7883
Elie Farhat
Principal Aide
612-348-7125
Laura Hoffman
District Aide
612-348-0863
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