Ward 6 Weekly Update 7/29/2022

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July 29, 2022

Water Lantern Festival

Twin Cities Water Lantern Festival 2022


Come to the Phalen Park Beach House (1400 Phalen Drive) this Saturday July 30th from 6-10 PM for the Twin Cities Water Lantern Festival! This is a family friendly event with food trucks and music. Design your own lantern and launch it in Phalen Lake. 

Find more information on the Twin Cities festival and purchase tickets at waterlanternfestival.com/twincities


Wheelock Parkway and Trail Updates

Wheelock Pkwy reconstruction


Wheelock Parkway Reconstruction Timeline

Wheelock Parkway from Greenbrier to Arcade Street is scheduled to begin August 8, 2022. Wheelock Parkway from Edgerton Street to Greenbrier Street will be constructed in 2023 due to challenges affecting the supply and delivery of materials. See the project update notice. More online at stpaul.gov/Wheelock.

Phalen Trail Reconstruction


Trail Reconstruction - Phalen Park

A trail reconstruction project is being planned for the southern edge of Phalen Lake from approximately Phalen Drive to Johnson Parkway on the east side of Wheelock Parkway. The start date for this reconstruction is yet to be determined.

This Trail Reconstruction PDF reflects the extent of the work with the goal of providing 2- way bicycle facility along this section of the Grand Round. Right now this stretch is technically one-way going clockwise around the lake. It is important to provide a 2-way facility as the Grand Round trail network is completed.  The pedestrian trail along the lake will remain open during construction and cyclists will have to either walk their bike or use the road during construction. Necessary erosion control and trail closure signage will be placed as well. 


Become a Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commissioner

civilian review board


The St Paul Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission is currently seeking commissioners from Wards 6 and 7! 

The Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission (PCIARC) reviews and makes disciplinary and policy recommendations to the Saint Paul Chief of Police on all civilian-initiated police conduct complaints. Composed of up to nine Saint Paul residents, the commission is essential to the trust between police and the communities they serve. 

The time commitment for a Commissioner can be anywhere from 10-20 hours per month depending on the number and type of cases being reviewed and any community outreach events. Meetings are evenings on the first Wednesday of each month and take place in community centers around St Paul, and each meeting carries a stipend of $50

For inquiries, please call the PCIARC line: (651)266-8970 or EmailCivilianReview@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Or reach out directly to PCIARC Commissioner Erin Hayes at Erin.Hayes@ci.stpaul.mn.us


Free Composting Workshops

Composting 101 workshops


Learn about backyard composting with Saint Paul Public Works! Join in one of four, free Composting 101 Workshops this summer:

  • Tues, August 23
  • Sun, September 18
  • Sat, September 24

Attendees will receive training and all the supplies necessary to get started with backyard composting. 

Classes are limited to 30 attendees and to Saint Paul residents. Register today at https://form.jotform.com/GarbageProgram/compost 


The Future of Parks & Rec - Take the Survey!

ParkScore #2 parks system for 2022


As a community, we’re growing. Our needs and interests continue to change. As a city, we’ve made commitments to make our parks even more inclusive for residents in regards to race, ethnicity, gender, age and neighborhood. An updated Parks System Plan will give us an important tool to continue making investments in buildings, open spaces and programming. Take the Parks System Plan Survey to share your thoughts!

Parks will be holding public meetings, in person and virtually, to gather more input toward the end of the summer and early fall. A draft Parks System Plan will be shared later this year, for expected adoption in early 2023.

Thank you for participating!


HomeHelpMN Application Period Extended

HomeHelp MN


There is still time to apply for HomeHelpMN. The application is open until August 17. If you are behind on mortgage payments or other home expenses, find out if this program can help you with up to $35,000 to get caught up. Visit HomeHelpMN.org or call 800.388.3226 to learn more about eligibility or to begin an application.

Contact Us

Email: ward6@stpaul.gov

Phone: 651-266-8660

Facebook: NelsieYangWard6

Twitter: @NelsieYangCM

Meet & Greet phone call appointments are available on Thursdays. Register online at stpaul.gov/ward6.


Serve on the St Paul Youth Commission!

St Paul Youth Commission


The Saint Paul Youth Commission is where young people learn to enhance their civic leadership, work in partnership with elected officials and stakeholders, represent their peers, and advocate for youth voice in decision making to ensure Saint Paul is a city that works for all of us.  Learn more about Youth Commissioner duties and projects. Applications due July 31st! 


Small Mammal Wildlife Survey

Natural Resources small mammal wildlife survey excursion


Join the St Paul Natural Resources team and researchers from the University of Minnesota on Saturday, July 30 from 8-10am in a small mammal wildlife survey!  The survey will help us learn about the lives or urban wildlife and better understand the status and needs of our park.

Participants will go off-trail to check pre-set live small mammal traps and learn about what's inside. This is a great opportunity to spend some time outside in a beautiful park, learn about our mammal neighbors, and contribute to scientific study.

This event is for ages 10+. Registration is required for all attendees.


River Learning Center Design Survey

River Learning Center design option 3


Be part of the design process for St Paul's River Learning Center

See the new, single design concept for the Mississippi River Learning Center based on previous community feedback. Hear from project partners and ask questions at a virtual community meeting on Thursday, Aug. 11, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Learn more and register here.


Free Summer Meals

free summer meals


Through a partnership with Youthprise and Saint Paul Public Schools, free meals and snacks for youth 18 years of age and under are available at multiple sites around Saint Paul. Check out the summer schedule!


Solidarity Street Gallery - Call for Artwork!

Solidarity Street Gallery 2022


Solidarity Street Gallery
invites all visual artists to submit work to a juried fine-art exhibit, to be held Sept 9 + 10 along Payne Ave, in St. Paul, MN. 

The exhibition theme is RESILIENT GENERATIONS, centered around Southeast Asian communities – and other displaced groups. Visual artworks are being sought, by artists of any background, that reflect on the immigrant experiences of being forced from a homeland; rebuilding lives in a new diaspora home; and establishing a new identity while revitalizing culture, language, and history across generations. 


Year Round STAR Grants

Ward 6 STAR funding


Do you own a business or run a non-profit in St Paul's 6th Ward? Are you in need of funding for a time-sensitive building repair or improvement?

You may be eligible for a Year-Round STAR Grant from Ward 6. Please email our office at Ward6@stpaul.gov with information on your project and to receive an application.

Applications are subject to approval from the St Paul STAR Board and St Paul City Council. Funding is given as reimbursement for approved expenses, up to $15,000 per project per year. 


COVID Resources

Test to Treat


Test-to-Treat locations
are open in the Twin Cities! Find test-to-treat locations where you can get and fill COVID treatment medications same-day. 

COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Children

Parents and families can now choose to extend strong protection against COVID-19 to our youngest children in Minnesota. Federal health officials now recommend COVID-19 vaccines for all children 6 months and older.

Use the state’s Find Vaccine Locations map to find vaccine providers near you. Additionally, the state’s community vaccination site at the Mall of America will be offering Pfizer vaccines to people 6 months of age and older. Appointments are required for children 6 months to 5 years. Find appointments at COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program.

Order FREE At-Home COVID Tests at www.covid.gov/tests.

Make your COVID booster shot appointment here.

COVID Community Coordinators (CCCs) are community-based organizations that connect Minnesota’s diverse communities to COVID testing, vaccination, and other resources. Coordinators help community members find and get critical resources to deal with health concerns, as well as employment, food access, housing, child care, and legal rights. Find a COVID Community Coordinator that fits your needs.