THE LATEST
 Pictured above volunteers help plant raingardens in the Wesley neighborhood.
Wesley neighborhood raingarden planting
On May 29, community volunteers and homeowners planted 842 plants and shrubs in four different raingardens within the neighborhood, including two at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Raingardens are gardens that are designed to capture and treat rainwater runoff from lawns, roofs, streets, and other impervious surfaces. Stormwater runoff often carries pollutants such as oil, grease, and heavy metals, as well as grass clippings, leaves, and lawn care chemicals. These pollutants would otherwise end up in the surface waters that the neighborhood flows to, in this case Interstate Valley Creek and the Mississippi River. The raingarden project was part of the Wesley Neighborhood Street Improvements project that began last summer. Thank you to all of our participants and community volunteers for making the project possible!
Major delays on I-494 between Delaware Ave & Highway 52 through June 13
Beginning today, eastbound I-494 has been reduced to a single lane between Delaware Ave. and Hwy 52. These lane closures are expected to last through 5 p.m. Saturday, June 13. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays. The ramp from southbound Hwy 52 to eastbound I-494 is also closed. You should follow the signed detour using southbound Hwy 52, Upper 55th St., and northbound Hwy 52 to access eastbound I-494.
For updates and more information about this project visit: mndot.gov/metro/projects/i494invergroveheights.
Race set for July 11
The 5K Walk/Run benefiting Special Olympics Minnesota is rescheduled for Saturday, July 11.
Packet pickup is scheduled for Friday, July 10, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at City Hall. Packets may also be picked up prior to the race on July 11 from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Register online under Special Events or print and mail a registration form.
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Continue to Stay Safe Mendota Heights
Minnesota’s Stay Safe order is in effect. It is important to note that protections for those in our communities that are most vulnerable to the virus are still in place and are those at greatest risk of serious illness are encouraged to continue staying home. For more information visit mn.gov/covid19.
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Free meals for children
Several local restaurants and school districts have offered to provide free lunches for children and students in need. Use this interactive map to locate a provider near you.
Mendota Heights Par 3 is open for play
Call 651-454-9822 to reserve a tee time. Additional rules are required for play to assist with player and staff safety during the pandemic. The course is walking-only, and the Clubhouse is staffed but closed to the public. Visit the Par 3 web page for more info.
Reserve a weekly tee time
Instead of league play, weekly tee times are available for Juniors and Women's golf. Check available times and reserve under Par 3 Programs secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog.
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Recent highlights:
 Pictured are several of the CCMI River Crew youth. The CCMI is part of the Youth Outdoors program within the Conservation Corps of Minnesota.
CCMI River Crew planting
This week the City hosted a Conservation Corps Mississippi (CCMI) River Crew to plant trees and remove invasive species in our City Parks and the Oȟéyawahe/Pilot Knob Historic Site. Over three days, the crew planted 37 trees throughout Valley Park, Ivy Hills Park, and the Oheyawahe/Pilot Knob Historic Site. The CCMI River Crew also removed buckthorn and other invasive species along the trail in the northern portion of Valley Park.
The trees planted will help to mitigate the on-going loss of ash trees in the community and the Mississippi River corridor due to Emerald Ash Borer. The crew is part of the Youth Outdoors program within the Conservation Corps of Minnesota, and their work was made possible through the City’s partnership with the Mississippi Park Connection and the National Park Service.
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Discounted EAB treatment program for residents
Residents will begin receiving a postcard in the mail in early June regarding a discounted Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) treatment program for ash trees on their property. This program is in partnership with Rainbow Treecare.
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Pollinators in bloom
Penstemon gracilis (Slender Beardtongue) is a native perennial with long, upright flower stalks and white tubular flower that attracts many species of native bees. This is a very versatile plant that will grow to a height of 24-36” in sun or partial shade and in most types of soil. Use in perennial gardens, in prairie plantings, on berms, or in any well-drained site in full or partial sun. See it in bloom this week at City Hall's Pollinator Garden.
Photo courtesy of Cindy Johnson and Sue Light.
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Recent highlights
Gift ideas for dads
Father’s Day is coming up! Be sneaky and ask Dad ahead of time if he’d prefer a physical gift, or time off from chores and some peace and quiet around the house. Sometimes the best gifts are free.
- If Dad likes experiences, get him a round of golf, tickets to the theater, or pack his cooler for a day of fishing or boating
- If Dad likes gifts, get him an eco-friendly gift like a coffee thermos, craft beer from a brewery in town, or some local honey and BBQ sauce for grilling
- Keep Dad looking dapper with a plastic-free razor, a good smelling bar soap and shave soap—you can find these wrapped in paper or without packaging at all!
- Have the kids help cook Dad’s favorite dinner and dessert, and do the clean up afterwards!
Clean-Up Day rescheduled for October 3
Clean-Up Day has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 3 at Mendakota Park. This year's event will be combined with a Paper Shred event. Watch for more information in the future.
Recent highlights
Wednesday, June 17 | 6-8pm
Jam in your jammies at home via Facebook Live! Grown-ups and kids alike will enjoy this mega fun and free dance party. Family-friendly Kidsdance plays the hottest new music as well as the coolest classics – with tons of activities that will get everyone moving. Tune in at facebook.com/MHParksandRec.
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Mayer Arts Decendants 3 Virtual Musical Theater Camp
Virtual Zoom Camp | June 22-25 | 2:45-4pm daily
Ages: 5-10 | $45 per child
New villains are stirring up trouble in Auradon! Help bring order back to the kingdom with a musical. We’ll learn songs and dances from Descendants 3 and put on a virtual professional show from start to finish. Learn how to properly speak your lines, block a scene, develop your character and much more. We will also play fun and creative games! Register: secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog.
Summer recreation registration
While in-person camps, classes, and programs have been cancelled through July 6, registration for programs that begin after these dates is still open. Please note that programs/events may be subject to change based on state and federal safety guidelines. Browse programs & register: secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog.
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