NENA and SENA Minneapolis Comprehensive Plan Town Hall

Did you know the City of Minneapolis is drafting a comprehensive plan for the next 20 years to manage its projected growth and change?

Minneapolis 2040 will provide guidance on the city’s built, economic and natural environment into the future. Minneapolis 2040 will guide policymaking decisions on important issues such as housing, job access, healthy and safe neighborhoods, transit, land use, climate change, and racial equity.

NENA and Standish Ericsson Neighborhood Association are hosting a Town Hall Meeting with City Planning Staff, Council Member Jeremy Schroeder (Ward 11) and Council Member Andrew Johnson (Ward 12) for our communities to learn about the plan’s goals and policies, share your thoughts and listen to your neighbors’ viewpoints. This event is planned for Tues., May 15, 6:30-8pm at Northrop Elementary School (4315 31st Ave. S.).

Before it is considered by the City Council in late fall, residents will have several opportunities to review, comment and improve the draft. The City encourages public comments through its interactive www.minneapolis2040.com website and will be hosting a new round of community open houses in May in every part of the city.

Nokomis East garage sale

The long-awaited garage sale event of the season is back for another year. Garagesalers in the Nokomis East area are invited to register their sale on the NENA website, starting May 1. Last year over 100 sales took part in this all-day neighborhood event, which draws bargain hunters from all over the metro area. The garage sale itself will be June 16, from 8am-4pm.

Monarch Workshop

Register for the free 12th Annual Grow Monarch Habitat Workshop on Sat., May 19, 9:30am-12pm. Doors open at 9am at the Lake Nokomis Community Center, 2401 E. Minnehaha Pkwy. Register for this popular workshop while you still can!

These two kid-friendly sessions offer a wealth of information for both beginning and advanced gardeners. Registration is required, workshop attendance is free, and participants may purchase Garden To-Go Kits from NENA with 12 native pollinator plants for your yard. To register, fill out the form found at www.nokomiseast.org/grow-monarch-habitat-workshop.

The workshop will include two special sections:

• Grow Monarch Habitat - An Introduction to The Essentials of Gardening For Monarchs, 9:30-10:30am. This 45-minute session covers the monarch life and migratory cycle and how these two cycles determine the habitat components. The current environmental status of the monarch butterfly and other pollinators is also addressed.

• NEW! Grow Monarch Habitat - A How-To on Planting, Maintaining and Expanding Your Garden 11am-12pm. This 45-minute session is designed to expand on previous years GMH workshops and cover some new ground.

Bossen Field

The old Bossen Park facilities are getting a facelift. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will start construction on the historical park building this summer, focusing on updating the bathrooms and the building exterior. The construction will also include improvements to building lighting and adding a new accessible restroom.

In addition to the existing park building updates, MPRB also plans to add a maintenance garage at the south end of the park to store equipment used for athletic field upkeep. Those interested in following the construction progress can do so at the MPRB online project page.

Bike racks for businesses

NENA and the Nokomis East Business Association (NEBA) are offering an opportunity for Nokomis East located businesses and organizations to acquire a bike rack, or multiple bike racks, at NO COST. This is the second season this opportunity is available as part of an effort to offer more bicycle parking for local businesses. These racks will be installed on the right-of-way, near the street.

The bike rack design is a U-type with a “Nokomis East” design in the center. Businesses like Oxendale’s Market, Nokomis Shoe Shop, Nokomis Hardware, and Al Vento have participated in the program. Contact Program and Communication Manager Lauren Hazenson at 612-724-5652 or lauren.hazenson@nokomiseast.org for more information or to sign up.

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