THE LATEST
 City fireworks
Celebrate freedom with a grand display of fireworks! They will be launched from Mendakota Country Club on Sunday, July 4; the launch typically begins around 10 p.m. Good places to view them from include Mendakota Park, Rogers Lake Park, Mendota Plaza, The Village of Mendota Heights, City Hall, and Two Rivers (Henry Sibley) High School. Thanks to Mendakota Country Club for again hosting this year's event.
 Mayor Levine and eager kids officially opened the playground on July 1.
Open for play!
The new playground at Marie Park is officially open. Thank you to all who attended the ribbon cutting celebration on July 1, and a special thanks to the Parks and Recreation Commission, City Council, City staff, and community for the successful development of this project. Due to shipment delays, the playground awaits the arrival of two benches, one digger, and a set of swings which will be installed when they are received. Explore and enjoy the new playground this summer, located at 1780 Lilac Lane.
Partial closure on Dodd Road begins July 12
As part of an Xcel Energy gas project, residents should prepare for a portion of Dodd Road, between Highway 62 and Ridge Place, to be closed beginning July 12. This closure is expected to last from four to six weeks. Please use the designated detours during this time.
Seeking sponsors for Parks Celebration
The City is seeking business and organization sponsors for the 34th annual Mendota Heights Parks Celebration. The celebration returns August 13-15 and will be an extra special one, with more events for the community to reconnect after having to cancel last year's event.
Donations help provide live entertainment; festival activities such as a petting zoo, inflatables, a rock climbing wall; and new this year a pickleball tournament, a morning coffee connection, and community bike ride.
Sponsors donating $500 or more can host a booth with an activity at the traditional Parks Celebration event at Mendakota Park on Saturday. And new this year, sponsors donating $100-499 can reserve a spot at Saturday morning’s Community Coffee Connection taking place at City Hall.
A variety of sponsorship levels are available to select from. See the sponsorship kit for more information. The deadline to sponsor is July 30. Thank you for your consideration!
 July newsletter available
Read more about the Northern Dakota County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and learn how veterans and active-duty military and their families can receive support, or how you can volunteer to help, in their latest newsletter.
 Registration open for Night to Unite
Night to Unite will take place on Tuesday, August 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. This event brings together neighbors and local public safety to help prevent crime. Neighborhoods are invited to host parties such as potlucks, cookouts, and ice cream socials to help build community and meet new friends. Mendota Heights Public Safety will stop by registered parties with their emergency vehicles to check out, visit with neighbors, and answer any questions you may have. Those interested in hosting a party must register by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 30. Night to Unite 2021 Registration Form
Organics drop-off site opening soon in Mendota Heights
Dakota County is making it easier for residents to reduce waste by opening a new organics drop-off site July 16 at Mendakota Park in Mendota Heights.
Residents will be able to bring organics, such as food scraps and paper towels, to the site for free. All registered participants receive free compostable bags to use at home and helpful tips. To sign up, visit dakotacounty.us and search organics, call 952-891-7557, or email organics@co.dakota.mn.us.
Unlike backyard composting, all food scraps, including meat, bones and dairy products, are accepted. The Mulch Store, a commercial compost facility, processes the materials at higher temperatures to kill bacteria and turn them into nutrient-rich compost.
Since opening the first organic drop-off site in 2016, more than 6,000 Dakota County households have registered for the program. Across the five current locations, more than 10,000 pounds of food scraps are kept out of the landfill each week.
Learn more about organics recycling and sign up for the drop-off program at an Open House at Mendakota Park on Saturday, July 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
COVID-19 information
- Walk-ins for Minnesotans age 12 to 17 are possible at any state community vaccination sites that are administering the Pfizer vaccine.
- The Minnesota Department of Health continues to host both saliva and nasal swab testing events throughout Minnesota. Tests are free and insurance is not required.
 Upcoming events
July 3 - 10 | Drop off at City Hall's parking lot
July 11 | 9 a.m. to noon at West St. Paul Public Works
July 17 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mendakota Park
Take home FREE compost for your garden.
 Weed of the Month
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)
Poison hemlock is a non-native, invasive biennial herbaceous plant with low-growing rosettes that develop in the first year, and tall flowering stalks that develop in the second year. Its stems have red or purple spots or streaks, and are smooth and hollow. Its leaves are bright green and fern-like, similar to carrot leaves, and its flowers are small, white, and arranged in umbrella clusters on the terminal of stems that can grow eight- to ten-feet tall. Look-alikes include Japanese hedge parsley, Wild carrot, and other plants in the carrot family. Poison hemlock spreads by producing numerous seeds that can be spread by mowers and other equipment.
It is most often found in fields, pastures, along streambanks, and in ditches. Poison hemlock is highly toxic to both humans and animals if ingested, and can be absorbed through the skin. When traveling or working in areas where Poison hemlock is present, wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and sleeves, gloves, and a face mask. Symptoms of exposure include dizziness, trembling, rapid, weak pulse, paralysis of the nervous system, and respiratory paralysis. If you suspect poisoning due to exposure, call 911 immediately.
Control methods:
- Manual removal is not recommended. Wash all clothing and equipment after exposure.
- Mow before plants go to seed.
- Clean all equipment and clothing when after traveling through infected areas.
- Herbicide applications that are used in the first year when the plants are in the rosette stage is the most effective.
For more information: MN Department of Agriculture or contact Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Technician at 651-255-1123 or kristas@mendota-heights.com.
Recent highlights
Just the Facts
Incident reports 6/25/21 - 7/1/21
Previous Just the Facts publications are available in the Laserfiche archive system on the City's website.
Sign up for emergency alerts
The Emergency Alert Program is available through the Dakota Communications Center (DCC) at mn-dcc.org/community-notification/.
Stay in touch through Nextdoor
The MHPD has expanded their social media channels to include Nextdoor. Learn more and sign up at nextdoor.com.
For immediate public safety response and non-emergency police assistance call 9-1-1
The Police Department will also continue to process requests for police reports, gun permits, etc. Link to the forms under Public Resources at mendota-heights.com/police. Completed forms and general questions can be submitted via email to pdrecords@mendota-heights.com.
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Upcoming events
Teddy Bear Band (Free)
Wed, July 14 | 6pm
Enjoy a family-friendly band whose mission is to help children gain and maintain a positive sense of self, and develop an appreciation of their own abilities. Participants are encouraged to bring their own teddy bear or stuffed friend.
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Drop-in Program (Free)
Join us on Tuesdays for the City's traveling program that brings recreation to local neighborhood spots. Staff will set up activities and equipment for youth ages six to twelve to enjoy. There will be games, sports, arts, crafts, and more. No registration required.
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July 6 | 12:30-1:30pm at Harmon Park
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July 13 | 1:30-2:30pm at Mendakota Park
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July 20 | 12:30-1:30pm at Covington Court Apartments Greenspace
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July 27 | 1:30-2:30 at Mendakota Park
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Pickleball Tournament (Free)
Sun, August 15 | 8-11am at Marie Park
This year during the Parks Celebration the City is hosting its first ever Pickleball Tournament. The tournament will be open to pairs of any age. One team member must be a resident of Mendota Heights. There is a limit of thirty-two teams, so register soon as spaces are filling fast!
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