The Lake Harriet Bandshell and its concessions building were repaired, repainted blue, and reopened this summer for concerts and events. Park gardeners and volunteers also spruced up the space with new plantings throughout the Bandshell area this year.

Next, repairs are planned at the smaller Bandshell area structures, which include the boat launch building, picnic shelter next to the concessions building, and information kiosk. These structures will have their roofs replaced and be repainted just like the Bandshell.

In addition, the doors at the Bandshell buildings will be replaced and some new built-in seating will be added at the picnic shelter and on the existing planters facing the lake.

The project is currently accepting construction bids, with work expected to begin in late winter and wrap up before the start of Minneapolis Music and Movies in the Parks on Memorial Day Weekend. Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board staff and any contractors hired for this project will work to coordinate construction work around scheduled winter events and activities.

The MPRB appreciates the public's patience while work continues on this repair project. 

The City of Minneapolis has installed crosswalks on Penn Ave S at W. 57th St. This issue has been discussed for decades due to the high number of children and families crossing the street to get to the park facilities. The dream has now finally come to fruition!

There are two crosswalks: one north and one south of W. 57^th St. When crosswalks are painted, the most typical process is to paint both “legs." On the south side of the intersection, the crosswalk connects the pedestrian ramp on the east to the sidewalk in the park; the north has a street bump out on the east, which is a pedestrian safety feature that lends itself to be a connection to the park and painted as well. 

Armatage Neighborhood Association and dedicated community members were instrumental in making this happen.

Image credit: Armatage Neighborhood Association

Crews are preparing to sweep streets across Minneapolis this month and November to clean the streets before winter. Street sweeping helps keep leaves and debris out of the storm drains and from ending up in our lakes and creeks and the Mississippi River.

Minneapolis Public Works will begin the big task of curb-to-curb street sweeping throughout the city Tuesday, Oct. 22. During the four weeks of the comprehensive fall street sweep, crews will clean about 1,000 miles of city streets. To make sure crews can do the best job possible, temporary hot pink “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance so streets will be clear of cars when they’re swept. The first signs will be posted Monday, Oct. 21, and sweeping will begin the next day. Anyone who parks on the street will need to follow posted parking rules or their cars may be ticketed and towed.

Ways to stay informed of the parking rules:

• Interactive web feature – The Street Sweeping Schedule Map will be available on the City’s website before street sweeping begins. Visitors to the website will be able to find out which week their street is scheduled to be swept. Then, on the weekend before each of the four weeks, the schedule for the upcoming week will be broken down to show which day of the week streets are scheduled to be swept.
• “No Parking” signs – City crews will post “No Parking” signs at least 24 hours before sweeping any streets. Parking will be banned from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the day a street is swept. However, the “No Parking” signs will be removed as soon as possible after a street has been completely swept to allow people to resume parking after the signs are removed. Vehicles not in compliance with “No Parking” signs may be ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot. The sweeping takes several steps, so people should not resume parking until the signs are removed.
• Email and text alerts – You can sign up to get an alert automatically emailed or texted to you at the start of street sweeping.
• Social media – The City will use Facebook and X to post periodic street sweeping updates and information.
• Videos – Street sweeping is explained in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong on the City’s YouTube channel and on Minneapolis City TV.

Clean Streets Mean Healthier Water

Minneapolis streets are swept completely curb to curb with enforcement of parking rules once in the spring and again in the fall. You can do your part by not pushing leaves, grass clippings or other debris into City streets. It’s bad for our lakes and waterways, it can cause safety hazards and it’s against the law.

Leaves that wash into storm drains end up in our lakes and creeks and the Mississippi River. They may quickly begin to break down, creating pollutants that overfertilize lake water and help harmful aquatic plants and algae grow. The murky lake water that results is not good for swimming or fishing. It can also harm wildlife and pets.

Learn more about street sweeping.

City customers’ garbage day the week of Nov. 25-30 will be their last 2024 pickup of leaves, brush and other yard trimmings.

Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling customers can set properly prepared yard waste at their alleys or curb line next to their garbage carts by 6 a.m. on their pickup day. Set yard waste out in a reusable container, in compostable bags (paper or BPI-certified compostable plastic bags – look for the BPI logo) or bundled with string or twine (no wire or tape).

Other Requirements

• Reusable containers must be 32-38 gallons in size and at least 26 inches high with sturdy handles. Reusable containers are lifted and emptied by hand; they must be easily managed. Yard waste is not allowed in City-provided containers.
• Any container, bag or bundle must weigh less than 40 pounds.
• Branches must be less than 3 inches in diameter and less than 3 feet long.

Bags marked “biodegradable” or “degradable” do not meet the State law and are not accepted.

Raking leaves into the street is against the law and bad for our lakes, creeks and river.

City customers are encouraged to set out properly prepared yard waste as soon as possible. There will be no additional 2024 yard waste service after the last scheduled pickup.

For questions about leaf and brush pickup, customers can check the City website or call Solid Waste & Recycling at 612-673-2917 Monday-Friday.

With Election Day just a couple weeks away, the main Early Vote Center, 980 E. Hennepin Ave., is extending voting hours. Elections & Voter Services is also opening two more early voting sites. Anyone who can vote in Minneapolis on Election Day can vote early at these sites or any of the pop-up voting events regardless of where they live in the city.

Beginning Oct. 22, Urban League at 2100 Plymouth Ave. N. and Bethel Lutheran Church at 4120 17th Ave. S. are also open to serve Minneapolis voters.

The last day of early voting is Monday, Nov. 4, which is the day before Election Day, and hours Nov. 4 are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Find all the early voting dates, times and locations on the City website.

One-Day In-Person Early Voting Locations

Minneapolis residents can visit one of our 11 one-day pop-up early voting locations to cast their ballot. Each of these sites is open one day only between Tuesday, Oct. 22, and Friday, Nov. 1. There are many locations throughout the city, including one in the 13th Ward: 

Lynnhurst Park Pop-Up Vote Center
1345 W. Minnehaha Pkwy 
Monday, October 28 from 11 AM-6 PM

Find additional pop-up voting locations, dates and other details on the City website.

Early Voting by Mail

Voters can apply to vote by mail and check on the status of their mailed ballot on the City’s website. We recommend applying for a mail ballot no later than Oct. 29. Consider applying earlier if you plan to both receive your ballot by mail and mail your ballot back. Ballots can also be dropped off at any early voting location during voting hours. Your ballot must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. Ballots may be dropped off until 8 p.m. on Election Day at Election & Voter Services, 980 E. Hennepin Ave. Ballots may not be returned to the polls on Election Day.

Preparing for Election Day

If you’re planning to cast your ballot on Election Day, Nov. 5:

• Check your polling place location on the State website.
• Check the status of your registration at the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website. If you need to update your registration, review what you will need to bring as proof of residence when you vote.
• Look at a sample ballot ahead of time; even bring it to refer to when you go to vote. Find your sample ballot on the City website.

The Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services Division is responsible for administering elections in the City of Minneapolis. For information about registering and voting in Minneapolis, go to the City website.

Armatage

Third Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm at Armatage Rec Center.

East Harriet

First Wednesday of odd months at 7:00pm at Lyndale Farmstead Park or via Zoom.

Fulton

Second Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm at Pershing Park or via Zoom.
E-mail info@fultonneighborhood.org for the meeting link. 

Kenny

Third Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm at Kenny Park or via Zoom.

Zoom
Meeting ID: 817 5108 0936
Passcode: 121112

Linden Hills

First Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm at Linden Hills Rec Center or via Zoom. Register here for meeting link.

Lynnhurst

Second Thursday of the month at 6:30pm at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church - 5025 Knox Ave S. Meetings are held in the library, or email info@lynnhurst.org for the Zoom meeting link.