MPRB Storm Response Priorities & Facility Information: Updated 6/24

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board sent this bulletin at 06/24/2013 10:47 AM CDT

Tree Removal Updates & Priorities

The clearing of streets is the top priority for MPRB and City of Minneapolis crews. Hundreds of trees were removed from city streets on Saturday and Sunday.

There are some locations that remain blocked due to trees with power lines entangled in them. Once Xcel Energy removes the power lines from the following locations, the trees will be removed and the streets cleared:

42nd/TH55 (east side)   620 36-1/2 Ave NE
36th St and 4th Ave S   658 24th Ave NE
46th Ave N & Morgan   27th & Lincoln NE
3626 Van Buren NE    

After city streets are clear, the Park Board’s second priority is the removal of boulevard trees from homes, garages and other structures.

The Park Board’s third tree priority is to evaluate and remove boulevard trees that pose a potential hazard of toppling due to storm damage or soil saturation.

The Park Board’s fourth priority is removal of trees and tree debris from parks.

For information or to report a down tree blocking a sidewalk or street, or a boulevard tree down on private property, contact the Park Board Forestry Department at 612-313-7710 or forestry@minneapolisparks.org from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Regular Yard Waste Collection for Smaller Branches

Residents with small branches and pieces of brush can use the regular weekly Solid Waste & Recycling yard waste collection service to have them picked up. Crews will pick up bundles of brush and small branches that are less than three inches in diameter and less than three feet long. Here's how to get them ready for pickup:

  • Bundle brush and small branches securely with twine or rope. Do not use wire.
  • Each bundle must be less than 3 feet long.
  • Each bundle must weigh less than 40 pounds.
  • Make sure to have the bundles of yard waste at your alley or curb line, next to the garbage cart, by 6 a.m. on your garbage day.

Resident Tree Debris Drop Off: June 24-29

Minneapolis residents may bring yard tree debris to two locations, one in North Minneapolis and one in Fort Snelling, between June 24 and 29 for hauling and processing by the Park Board.

  • Metro Wood Recycling Site: 33rd Ave and 2nd Street, North Minneapolis
    8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to Noon Saturday
  • Fort Snelling Site: 6200 Bloomington Rd, Fort Snelling (adjacent to the Park Board’s Fort Snelling Golf Course)
    7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to Noon Saturday

These sites will discontinue accepting public tree debris at Noon on Saturday, June 29.

NOTE: This service is for property owners clearing their property of tree debris after storm damage only—it is not for contractors doing work for property owners or for regular tree pruning. It is only for tree debris, not construction or other materials.

MPRB Curbside Tree Debris Collection: July 1-12

Park Board crews will collect tree debris that can be brought to the boulevard beginning July 1 through July 12 for properties affected by the storm. This service is for property owners clearing their property of tree debris after storm damage only—it is not for contractors doing work for property owners or for regular tree pruning. It is only for tree debris, not construction or other materials.

How Minneapolis Residents Should Prepare Downed Trees & Branches for Collection

  • Move larger limbs, branches, and trunks to the boulevard area in front of your house. Park Board crews will pick up and dispose of these items at no charge.
  • Property owners adjacent to tree debris placed on the boulevard are asked not to park vehicles near the debris, to help crews in the removal process. “No parking” signs may be posted and enforced to facilitate the cleanup operation.

Minneapolis Park Facilities

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board employees worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to reopen parks after power outages and to provide services to the community. Downed trees remain in many parks as forestry and city crews stay focused on clearing city streets and removing trees that pose a hazard to homeowners and the community. The following is a recap of facilities that remain closed.

Recreation Centers and Other Buildings

  • Corcoran and Bryant Square Recreation Centers remain closed due to power outages; arrangements have been made for the Bryant Square Rec Plus program.
  • All other recreation centers are open regular hours.

A number of sites remain closed due to lack of power, including:

  • Wirth Picnic Pavilion
  • Columbia Pavilion
  • Various external bathroom locations
  • At Minnehaha Falls, Sea Salt is operating on a generator and portable toilets are available

Wading Pools
The following wading pools remain closed due to power outages, storm damage, or mechanical issues:

Bryant Square   Marshall Terrace
Corcoran   North Mississippi
Franklin Steele   Stewart
Lake Hiawatha    

Golf Courses

Beaches

  • The Cedar South Beach remains closed due to down trees entangled with power lines.
  • All other beaches are open.

Athletic Fields

  • Marshall Terrace field is closed due to a large sink hole.
  • Most park’s athletic fields have been cleared of storm damage; however, all fields remain saturated and are being assessed for play.

Paved Trails

  • North Mississippi lower paved trails near Mississippi River remain blocked due to down trees; however upper trails through park are open.
  • All other parks have trails with usable segments; however some trails have mud, sand and tree debris on them.

Contact:

Dawn Sommers
Communications and Marketing
612-230-6407 dsommers@minneapolisparks.org