|
|
|
|
|
|
Stop For Me
Union Park has partnered with other District Councils, the Saint Paul Police, and Smart Trips on a year-long pedestrian safety campaign called Stop for Me.
The goal is to improve safety for people who walk in our community through education and enforcement of the state pedestrian law, which requires drivers to watch and stop for pedestrians at every intersection. On average, a walker or bicyclist is hit in St. Paul every other day. Last year, 6 people were killed while crossing our streets.
The first of 34 citywide events kicked off in Union Park on March 17. Watch for future events and learn more about the campaign on our transportation initiatives page.
|
|
Union Park is seeking residents interested in transportation and environmental issues
If you'd like to get involved in an exciting aspect of neighborhood work and planning, consider joining our newly forming Transportation Committee. From bike plan implementation to transportation issues surrounding the Snelling-Midway redevelopment, you'll work with UPDC staff to review and inform decisions for projects and create educational and advocacy projects. Whether you get around the neighborhood by foot, bike, transit or car, we welcome your participation!
If you're interested in working on a wide range of environmental issues at the community level, consider joining our Environment and Parks Committee. Our existing Parks Committee is broadening its focus, and will be addressing environment and sustainability issues, potentially including organized trash collection, community solar, community green spaces, watershed stewardship, reducing our collective waste, and whatever else committee members have an interest in pursuing.
To learn more about these great opportunities to have a tangible effect on the long-term livability and vitality of our community, contact michael@unionparkdc.org.
|
|
Spring Break activities
The Saint Paul Public Library invites kids to stay busy during spring break at Maker Break events. During the first week of April, area libraries will host free hands-on programs for school-aged children. Kaleidoscopes, Legos, bubbles—these are just a few of the ways that kids can learn by doing and gain confidence in their creative abilities. Visit www.sppl.org/maker-break for a full listing of events. Registration is required for some, and parents and guardians are welcome to play along.
The Merriam Park Recreation Center is offering Spring Blast from 1-4 p.m. during the week of April 4-8. Activities include arts & crafts, gym games, field trips, and more. Snack is provided, and participation is free! Visit the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation page for more information and to register.
|
|
Spring Road Construction
It's that time of year! Here are some closures and partial closures you can watch out for in Union Park in 2015:
- The Lexington Avenue bridge over I-94 is slated to close on April 15 for expansion joint and surface repairs. It's scheduled to reopen on May 8.
- The Prior Avenue bridge over I-94 will be demolished for redecking on April 29 and will reopen on August 26.
- The Cretin Avenue bridge over I-94 will be closed from April 29-June 5.
- Work will begin on the Pelham Boulevard bridge on April 29, and on May 2 work will begin on the Pascal Street, Hamline Avenue, and Cleveland Avenue bridges over I-94.
- Mississippi River Boulevard is scheduled for a surface mill and overlay from Dayton to Emerald sometime in September or October. The current work plan includes partial closures at this time.
- A surface mill and overlay will be done on Cleveland Avenue from Summit to St. Anthony sometime this summer.
- Nearby Union Park: the Franklin bridge over the Mississippi will be closing on or about May 9, for much of the summer.
- The Victoria Avenue and Dale Street bridges over I-94 will also receive work this spring and summer.
Visit MnDOT's project page for more information about the I-94 bridge projects and associated detours, and contact Kevin Walker at MnDOT with questions.
|
|
Trees returning to Snelling Ave
 If you miss the trees along Snelling that were removed during 2015 reconstruction, you’ll be happy to hear trees will be returning! About 80 new trees (including American Lindens, pictured) will be planted this year throughout the project area from Selby to Pierce Butler.
Before construction, there were 58 trees along the corridor, many of them Ash, which would have needed to be removed at some point due to the spread of Emerald Ash Borer. And, there are now continuous soil beds covered by permeable pavers that will allow for more ideal growing conditions and healthier trees. If you have questions, contact City Forester Zach Jorgensen.
|
|
Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County's annual sale is now underway
Purchase a tree for your own yard or give one to a local park. With the growing loss of trees due to pests such as emerald ash borer, planting trees in parks has become increasingly important! Choices also include shrubs, roses, and a grapevine.
Orders must be received by April 22 and picked up on May 7 from 9 am to 1 pm at the site of your choice. Visit friendsoftheparks.org for more information and to place an online order. All donations are fully tax-deductible.
|
|
30th Annual Spring Cleanup
 Help beautify Saint Paul’s parks and neighborhoods at the Citywide Spring Cleanup on Saturday, April 23. "Even if you can only donate twenty minutes of your time, we would love to see you out," said Parks and Recreation Director Mike Hahm.
Seven meet-up sites hosted by various local organizations will be stationed throughout the city. The closest site to our community is at Hamline Park at 1564 Lafond. Volunteers can drop by anytime between 9 – 11:30 am to register and pick up their equipment and refreshments. Consider picking up your equipment and heading on down to your neighborhood to clean up with your neighbors!
|
|
Paint the Pavement
Interested to work with your neighbors to create art in your intersection? We are currently looking to support residents who want to get involved in Saint Paul's Paint the Pavement program. For more information, contact michael@unionparkdc.org or visit the Neighborhood Involvement Committee page on our website to learn more about this and other fun community-building opportunities.
|
|
Tool Library project underway
Have you found yourself in need of a tool that you’d rather not have to buy? A group of local volunteers is looking to make tools more accessible to residents in Hamline-Midway and Union Park through a Tool Lending Library. Help turn this exciting vision into a great community asset by joining the effort to get the Tool Library off the ground. Contact michael@unionparkdc.org to get involved.
|
|
Get into composting!
Ramsey County residents are eligible for a $20 discount on compost bins purchased through the Recycling Association of Minnesota. Bins are only $39! To place your order, visit RecycleMinnesota.org and enter promo code “ramsey”, or call 651-641-4589 and mention that you are a Ramsey County resident. Pre-ordered bins will be available for pick up in Saint Paul on June 11.
 And, did you know that Eureka Recycling offers compostable plates, bowls, utensils, hot cups, cold cups, bags and party kits, along with recycled office paper—all at reduced prices? Place your order by Thursday, April 7, 2016 through Eureka's Zero Waste Buying Co-op! Products will be available for pickup or delivery in late May (paper only eligible for delivery).
Visit our website for more information on recycling and composting in our neighborhood.
|
|
Cuban American author returns to St. Paul
 Marisella Veiga is a Cuban-born writer who attended St. Mark's Catholic School in Merriam Park in the 1960s. Her recent memoir recounts how she, with her mother and two brothers, emigrated from Havana to the United States, and explores issues of identity, biculturalism, and life exiled from a beloved homeland.
She will host her Twin Cities Book Launch Celebration on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 7 pm at Common Good Books in St. Paul. Share the Facebook invite and visit the Minnesota Historical Society's page for more information on the memoir.
|
|
Home Improvement Fair
The 24th Annual Macalester-Groveland & Highland Park Home Improvement Fair will take place on Saturday, April 23 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Cretin-Derham Hall. This year, the fair will feature over 70 exhibitors and 15 workshops to help you take on your next project (and save money, energy, and time in the process)! For more information, visit macgrove.org/hif.
|
|
City seeks volunteers
Mayor Coleman is seeking applicants to serve on the City's committees, boards, and commissions. The City's dozens of resident committees cover a wide range of topics. The Mayor and City Council rely on their input for program development and policy creation.
Current and upcoming opportunities include the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Planning Commission, the Neighborhood STAR Program, and others. Review the full list of openings and apply soon—Applications must be submitted by April 17, 2016, but will be evaluated as they are received, so those who are interested are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
For additional information on the work of boards and commissions, contact Fedha Abera at 651-266-8510 or visit www.stpaul.gov/committees-boards-and-commissions.
|
|
Let's play baseball!
Youth ages 7 to 15 are welcome to join Midway Baseball, a program of the Dunning Boosters. Online registration is going on now through April 13th. On April 16th, they'll hold evaluation to determine which leagues are the best fit. Please view the website for more information. Midway Baseball is located in Dunning Park off of Marshall Avenue at Syndicate street.
|
|
Solar Speed Dating
Are you interested in solar power but unable to install panels on your roof? Perhaps you are a renter, live in a house with a shady roof, or otherwise don’t have the space or capacity to install solar yourself. If so, community solar may be a good option for you.
 Attend a free evening event from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on April 27th at the Wilder Foundation (451 Lexington Pkwy. N.) to learn more about community solar, learn basic skills for comparing different solar offers, and meet face-to-face with different developers to see if you can find the right one. Registration for this event is encouraged, but not required. Sponsored by Fresh Energy, CERTS, and the City of St. Paul.
|
|
Meals on Wheels
Fresh, hot, cold, or frozen home-delivered meals are available to all in the community who need nutritious food in their homes through the Keystone Community Services Meals on Wheels program at the Merriam Park Community Center, 2000 St. Anthony Avenue, St. Paul. Meals are delivered five days a week to your home, on a sliding fee scale. Call 651-645-7424 for details and to sign up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
