Join us for our annual neighborhood meeting on March 13

The Waite Park Community Council will hold its annual neighborhood meeting and election on Thursday, March 13, from 6:30-8:30pm at the Waite Park Recreation Center.

The event is an opportunity to meet and mingle with neighbors, local elected officials, and community leaders in a small and casual setting. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided, with a brief state-of-the-neighborhood program at 7pm.

“After a long winter, we’re happy to be able to provide this space again for people to gather with neighbors and talk through some of the important issues facing our country and community,” said Casey Wahl, WPCC’s vice president and chair of the annual meeting committee.

In addition to a brief program highlighting the community council’s 2024 accomplishments, anyone who lives, works, or owns property in the Waite Park neighborhood will be invited to participate in the community council’s board election.

Seven of the council’s 15 board seats will be up for election, along with the officer position of secretary. Board members serve two-year terms and help to set policy and priorities for the organization, as well as volunteer time for events and other programming. The average time commitment is 4-6 hours per month.

“As an all-volunteer organization, we depend on people contributing their time and skills to make anything we do happen,” WPCC President Dan Haugen said.

Candidates for board seats are nominated at the annual meeting. Anyone interested in running may nominate themselves. Candidates typically say just a few words about themselves and their interest in joining the board before voting begins.

All are welcome to attend. An arts-and-craft activity will be provided in an adjacent room for children during the program. Please contact info@waiteparkcc.org if there are any accommodations we can provide to assist your participation.

Northeast Neighborhoods Invited to Discuss HERC and What a Zero-Waste Future Looks Like

We need to talk trash.

Minneapolis produces around 85,000 tons of garbage per year. Almost all of what we throw in the gray bins in our alleys gets trucked downtown, where it is burned at the Hennepin County Energy Recovery Center, or HERC. The facility turns trash into heat and electricity that’s sold by the county and used in nearby buildings.

But it’s not the magic trick you might imagine. The waste doesn’t disappear; it’s transformed into ash and airborne particles, some of which inevitably escape the incinerator’s pollution filters, making it among the largest single sources of pollution in the county. Scientists are learning more about the public health risk these particles can pose to surrounding neighborhoods, especially when compounded with other sources of pollution like cars, trucks, and industrial facilities.

Advocates with the Zero Burn Coalition have been working for years to convince county leaders to close the incinerator. In October 2023, the county commission approved a plan to shut down HERC sometime between 2028 and 2040, which environmental justice advocates say is too long to wait. In November 2024, the Minneapolis City Council and Mayor Jacob Frey signed a resolution calling on the county to close HERC by 2027.

In Northeast Minneapolis, we have the opportunity to help shape plans to close HERC and to create a more sustainable future across all of our communities by reducing the amount of garbage that gets thrown away.

That’s why we’re holding a community conversation 6:30pm on Thursday, April 10, at Edison High School to talk about what a zero-waste future for Minneapolis looks like and how we can get there sooner. We’ve invited environmental justice advocates, city and county solid waste professionals, and elected leaders to join us for a discussion on strategies for collectively reducing waste from our community.

We’re partnering with the Zero Burn Coalition, the Audubon Neighborhood Association, Bottineau Neighborhood Association, Columbia Park Neighborhood Association, Holland Neighborhood Improvement Association, Logan Park Neighborhood Association, and Lower Northeast Neighborhoods Association to present this important discussion.

Why This Matters

Submitted by the Zero Burn Coalition

For over 35 years, HERC has been harming the environment and health of community members across Hennepin County and the metro.

HERC is one of the biggest polluters in the county. It emits mercury, lead, carbon monoxide, dioxins (cancer-causing chemicals), and many other toxins into the air daily, poisoning our air and significantly contributing to the poor air quality of some of the most overburdened communities in Minnesota.

Generations of people have fought against HERC, working toward a day when all Minnesotans can breathe clean, healthy air.

Last year the coalition successfully organized to unanimously pass a resolution through the City of Minneapolis calling on Hennepin County to set a firm closure date for HERC and also include these commitments:

• Frontline community leadership in future plans for the current HERC site

• Restitution for the harm caused by HERC for the over three decades that it has been burning trash

• Implementation of a community-driven Zero Waste Plan.

Shortly after the resolution passed, the coalition also worked with Minneapolis City Council to add $200,000 on top of the initial $300,000 to its budget for zero-waste initiatives for 2025. This is just the start.

Learn about plans for the future of Central Avenue at WPCC's December board meeting

You are invited to join the Waite Park Community Council’s board of directors on Thursday, Dec. 12, as it hears a presentation on the future of Central Avenue from representatives for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The meeting will take place at 7pm at the Waite Park Recreation Center (1810 34th Ave. NE). To attend, go to the main entrance of the school on the north side of the building and press the ‘PARK & REC’ button on the security post to be buzzed in by park staff.

MnDOT is collaborating with local agencies and the public to create a new design for Central Ave. between University Ave. S.E. and I-694. As a part of this project, it is working closely with Metro Transit on the integration of the METRO F Line, a planned bus rapid transit line that will provide improved transit service on Route 10.

Following the presentation and Q&A with transportation planners, the board will have a discussion with 2nd Precinct Crime Prevention Specialist Abdirashid Ali on recent vandalism and car break-ins in the neighborhood.

The board will also begin planning its 2025 annual neighborhood meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday, March 13.

The complete agenda is available here.

The Waite Park Community Council is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization representing the Waite Park neighborhood in Northeast Minneapolis. Fifteen board members are elected to staggered two-year terms. Meetings are open for all to attend. Questions? Contact info@waiteparkcc.org.

Help us map holiday light displays in our neighborhood 🎄

The holiday season is here! Let’s spread joy and cheer!

We are putting together a Google Map of holiday lights in our neighborhood. If you would like your home or business to be included on the map, please complete the form below.

We will aim to publish the map in late November and update approximately weekly or as needed throughout December.

Questions? Contact Trice at holidaylights@waiteparkcc.org.

WPCC board to hear presentations on school ballot question, zero-waste campaign

The Waite Park Community Council will hear informational presentations this Thursday, Sept. 26, from representatives of the Vote Yes for Mpls Kids campaign and the Minnesota Environmental Justice Table.

Abdul Abdi will share information and answer questions about the Minneapolis general election ballot “School District Question,” which will ask voters to repeal an existing technology levy and replace it with one that would provide an additional $20 million annually for 10 years.

Waite Park resident Christy Dolph, a volunteer with the Minnesota Environmental Justice Table, will present on the group’s work with other organizations to close the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center and move toward a zero-waste plan in the city.

In addition to the guest speakers, the neighborhood board is set to recap the recent Waite Park Fall Festival, discuss next steps for renter engagement following its recent rental household survey, among other agenda items.

The board meets monthly, typically on the last Thursday of the month, at 7pm at the Waite Park Recreation Center (1810 34th Ave. NE). A Zoom link is also available here. Anyone is welcome to attend and participate, though only elected board members may vote on action items. Questions? Contact info@waiteparkcc.org.

Explore Deming Heights Park with an MPRB parks naturalist

What nature can we find in Deming Heights Park?

Join the Waite Park Community Council and Audubon Neighborhood Association on Saturday, Oct. 5, as we explore with a Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board naturalist.

This special “Explore with a Naturalist” program will including searching for signs of animal activity, observing plant life, and noticing nature in the park during the fall season. There might be more happening than at first glance when we take the time to explore and get curious about the natural world around us.

Registration is required for participation in this free program.

This program will meet at 10 a.m. near the benches and informational signage located next to the intersection of Fillmore St. NE and St. Anthony Parkway

Register at MPRB’s ActiveNetwork site.

Explore with a Naturalist
What: Search for signs of animal activity and observe plant life with an MPRB naturalist
When: Saturday, Oct. 5, 10-11:30 am
Where: Deming Heights Park (meet at the benches near Fillmore St. NE and St. Anthony Parkway)
Cost: Free, but registration required

Meet Anthony Bates, Waite Park’s new MPRB recreation supervisor

Anthony Bates, Waite Park Recreation Supervisor

Waite Park has a new face overseeing park maintenance and programming.

Anthony Bates was named recreation supervisor for Waite Park in late May. He previously held the same position at Harrison Park, just west of downtown. The role includes managing upkeep and safety for the park grounds, indoor space, and amenities such as the wading pool, as well as supervising 15 to 20 part-time and seasonal employees who run youth sports, child-care and other activities.

The Waite Park Voice recently spoke with Bates about his new role at the park.

Q: How long have you worked for the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and what led you to this type of work?

A: It’ll be three years in December of this year, but I’ve been working in parks and rec for a very long time — this will be my 18th year. (Previously Bates work for the City of Brooklyn Park.) What brought me to this organization was the opportunity to work with more neighborhood-based programming and facilities, along with the diversity of MPRB as an organization, and the work they were doing around upgrading facilities and making sure the community gets what they need.

Q: What's been your impression of Waite Park so far?

A: What stands out the most, I would say, is the amenities. It’s the first thing you notice. I see the grass. I see the ball fields. I see the tennis courts. Inside, what I notice is the youth that have been here over the summer. I noticed the community involvement and community engagement from residents who care about what’s going on here at Waite Park. I noticed the care and the impact of the adults and parents that are here.

Q: What kind of activities and programming can people expect this fall and winter?

A: We will be offering some adult opportunities in the way of fitness classes, yoga and strength classes. Youth sports will be underway. I’m still learning what that looks like here. When going into a new organization, it takes a year just to see the seasons, to see how that community functions and learn the interests and needs. So I’m excited to see what that looks and feels like so I can have a better idea of what the needs are.

Q: What kinds of things do you enjoy doing outside of work?

A: So I like spending time with family. I love watching sports. I’m a big Green Bay Packers fan. I like going to movies, spending time outdoors. Winter is my favorite season. I know that’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but I like the snow. I just like walking in the snow, being in the snow, sledding with my kids; anything they want to do I’m going to do when it comes to being outdoors.

Contact the Waite Park Recreation Center at 612-370-4959 or waite@minneapolisparks.org.

Rescheduled: WPCC revises calendar to avoid holiday conflicts

The Waite Park Community Council has amended its meeting calendar for the remainder of 2024 in order to avoid holiday conflicts.

The neighborhood group’s board of directors typically meets at 7pm on the last Thursday of each month. Meetings are held at the Waite Park Recreation Center with a Zoom option for those who cannot attend in person.

The revised schedule is as follows:

Thursday, Sept. 19: Operations & Finance Committee
Thursday, Sept. 26: Regular Board Meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 30: Operation & Finance Committee
Thursday, Nov. 7: Regular Board Meeting
Thursday, Dec. 5: Operations & Finance Committee
Thursday, Dec. 12: Regular Board Meeting
Thursday, Jan. 23: Operations & Finance Committee
Thursday, Jan. 30: Regular Board Meeting

All meetings are open to the public. Please email operations@waiteparkcc.org if you require any special accommodations to attend or participate.

It’s time for the 2024 Waite Park Fall Festival! Saturday, Sept. 14

The Waite Park Community Council invites you to attend our annual neighborhood fall festival on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 3-7 p.m. at Waite Park.

The Waite Park Fall Festival will feature local arts and craft vendors, civic group and nonprofit tables, live music, kids games, face painting, food trucks, and free hot dogs and veggie burgers.

“We are excited to be able to put on this fun, neighborhood event once again,” said Nick Stroozas, chair of the community council’s fall festival committee, which partners with Minneapolis Parks and Recreation on the event.

Grilled hot dogs and veggie burgers will be available for free until they run out. Paid food options will include food trucks Chimborazo and Ben & Jerry’s. TapMPLS will provide a drinking water station. (Bring a water bottle to help us reduce waste!)

We are excited to welcome back both musical acts from last year’s festival: the family-friendly folk of Skunk Hollow and ‘90s cover band 120 Minutes, both of which feature musicians who live in the Waite Park neighborhood.

The fall festival is one of the Waite Park Community Council’s two signature events along with the annual neighborhood meeting in March.

“Creating opportunities for people to come together and develop a sense of community is one of our core priorities as an organization,” Waite Park Community Council President Dan Haugen said. “The festival is a great way to meet and reconnect with people who live and work in your neighborhood.”

The festival is planned and run entirely by volunteers, with funding for food and entertainment from our generous sponsors, including: Eastside Food Co-op, Larsen Dental, Turbo Tim’s Anything Automotive, and Cosmic Coffee.

Volunteers are still needed to help set up, serve food, oversee kids games, and clean up at the end of the event. If you are interested in getting involved, please fill out this form or contact festival@waiteparkcc.org.

For more information on the festival, see page 7-10 for a pull-out program guide, including a complete listing of confirmed vendors.

Volunteer with the Vital Living program East Side Neighborhood Services

The following article was submitted by Eastside Neighborhood Services. If you would like to submit an article on behalf of a community-based organization that serves the Waite Park neighborhood, send it to website@waiteparkcc.org.

Make a difference in the lives of older adults in our community, while engaging in a volunteer opportunity that highlights your talents and utilizes your experience. You’re just the person we’ve been looking for! 

Northeast Day Spot Friend Volunteer: Provide respite care support for people experiencing dementia and other chronic conditions while their caregivers receive a break. On Fridays from 9:30AM-1:30PM, you will socialize with participants, provide support during activities like art projects and games, and help with set up and clean up. No hands-on care required. You do not have to come every week.  

Music Maker Volunteer: Share your musical talents with people experiencing dementia. On Fridays from 12:15-1PM, you will play music for our group to enjoy. Bring your own instrument or use our keyboard. We also love sing alongs! Most music makers volunteer once every few months.  

Garden Volunteer: Help us plant, water and weed our community garden. Flexible days/times.  

Phone Call Friend Volunteer: Provide a listening ear and companionship to an older adult with weekly phone calls. Days/times are flexible.  

Contact: Syneva Barrett 612-787-4035 or sbarrett@esns.org 
Eastside Neighborhood Services 1700 2nd St. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413 

East Side Neighborhood Services is a nonprofit human services agency providing resources and social services to individuals of all ages and families in Hennepin County since 1915. The Vital Living Program serves older adults through resources, classes, events, and caregiver support.