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We'd like to thank all of our community members for attending this year's annual social and elections. If you didn't attend, we hope to see you next year! 2023 Annual Social & Elections If you live anywhere within this map, you are eligible to vote for the non-geographic (At Large) board representatives next year. Depending on your grid location, you may be able to vote for an additional grid representative. The specific seats up for election will be announced before November 2024. ​ ​ Election Results All votes were unanimous. Best wishes to our returning board members! Grid 5 - April King April King has lived in the Snelling–Hamline area with her partner and two children since 2017. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, she works in information security for Dropbox, having previously worked for Mozilla and Twitter. As a lifelong geek, she also helps run CONvergence, one of the largest volunteer-run conventions in the country. In her limited remaining spare time, she cosplays, is a soccer goalkeeper, restores vintage cast iron cookware, and works to turn her lawn into a pollinator paradise. Grid 7 - Sarah Dvorak Sarah Dvorak has lived in Union Park with her husband and two sons since 2002. She received her J.D. from the University of St. Thomas and works for Wolters Kluwer as an Operations Manager in the Legal and Regulatory Division. Sarah has volunteered on two non-profits that foster community engagement and serve youth in the community. In addition to volunteering, Sarah is passionate about spending time with family, walking and skiing with her dogs, biking [recreational and commuter], as well as practicing yoga. Grid 9 - Dean Cummings Dean Cummings moved to Union Park in 2017 with his wife and 8 children. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in Political Science. He runs an investment firm from his home that he has been with for 30 years and recently acquired. Dean has served as co-chair of the Land Use and Economic Development committee since 2019. Dean coaches youth wrestling, plays trombone, and runs a 20 piece swing band. At Large - Kirsten Fryer Kirsten Fryer has worked in Union Park since September 2019 and loved it so much she moved into the neighborhood in July 2020. As pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the Midway, she loves listening to stories of the neighborhood throughout its history, serves on the board of Open Hands Midway, and works on the intersections of faith, justice, and community life. She and her husband, Justin, and their daughter, Joanna, enjoy checking out the neighborhood restaurants and parks, by foot (sometimes with dog, Como, in tow) or bike. Kirsten completed her first ever triathlon in 2023, largely thanks to the training done on Union Park's sidewalks and bike lanes/paths! An avid reader, she is a frequent visitor to the Merriam Park library. Originally from southeastern Minnesota, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. For six years prior to moving to St. Paul, she worked with St. Andrew’s Refugee Services (StARS) in Cairo, Egypt. At Large - Ellen Fee Ellen Fee is a writer, teaching artist, and youthworker focused on creative writing and arts education. A Union Park renter since 2016, Ellen is interested in fostering deeper neighborhood engagement and building a creative community that meets the needs of its residents. A winner of Public Art Saint Paul's 2019 Sidewalk Poetry contest, Ellen's words can be found stamped in to the city's sidewalks. In her free time, Ellen enjoys cooking, camping, gardening, crossword puzzles, and cuddling with her black cat named Nadine.

Thank you for a wonderful Ice Cream, Peanut Butter, and Jam! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate our wonderful community at the 10th annual Ice Cream, Peanut Butter & Jam community social! The weather was beautiful, and it was a true delight to see so many families, couples, elderly, youth, and others gathered to enjoy a day together. We're proud to live in our district and thankful for the positive and inclusive way that we engage with each other. Together we enjoyed a day of art, music, ice cream and play. Your attendance is the core of what made the day great. Thank you also to the volunteers, exhibitors, vendors, performers and sponsors who worked together to provide this wonderful event for the community! It wouldn't have been possible without your support. Check out the 2023 Ice Cream Peanut Butter and Jam sponsors below, and please don't hesitate to reach out if you would like to get involved in Union Park District Council or learn more about what we do. 1/7 Thank you to our sponsors! Ice Cream, Peanut Butter, and Jam wouldn't be possible without our community sponsors. We'd like to thank the University of St. Thomas, Episcopal Homes, The Cargo Bike Shop, Cooperative Plating, Concordia University St. Paul, The Hive, Nellie's Ice Cream, Naturalways Chiropractic, Celtic Junction, Affordable Inflatables, and Neighborhood Network for Seniors for their support of this event.

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Home > Our Work > Agendas & Minutes Agendas & Minutes Meetings of the Union Park board and committees are open to the public. Community members are encouraged to attend! ​ Meeting agendas are generally available at least one week prior to a meeting, and minutes are available once approved by the board or committee. Contact info@unionparkdc.org if you would like to be added to a committee mailing list. Union Park Board of Directors Agendas & Meeting Minutes Committee on Land Use and Economic Development (CLUED) Agendas & Meeting Minutes Neighborhood Sustainability and Vitality Committee (NSVC) Agendas & Meeting Minutes Transportation Committee Agendas & Meeting Minutes

Home > Our Work > About UPDC ABOUT UNION PARK DISTRICT COUNCIL The Union Park District Council is an independent nonprofit that engages the power of community to advance neighborhood vitality and develop neighborhood leadership. We represent the interests of the community on a broad range of public policy and city governance issues. From new building permits and university relations to transportation and environmental issues, we advise decision makers on a wide variety of topics and issues. Every official recommendation to the city and other policy-making body is the result of active citizen participation and deliberation on the part of our Committees or Board of Directors. ​ If you live within the borders of Union Park (in Saint Paul between the Mississippi River and Lexington Avenue, and University and Summit avenues) you are a member of our District. Our work is carried out largely by dedicated and engaged volunteers from our community. Join us! What We Do CONNECT The Union Park District Council serves as an important source of information of interest to our community. We share stories and content via a wide range of platforms. If you are looking to get the word out about an event, project or anything else of interest to the community please let us know and we will share it with our networks. Contact UPDC > SUPPORT Union Park District Council staff members have experience in conceptualizing, developing and implementing community-oriented projects and initiatives. We can serve as fiscal agent for neighborhood groups and organizations, and can advise individuals and groups applying for grants and funding. Whether you are looking for assistance navigating city processes or are looking to be connected to the right decision-makers and resources, let us know your plans and we'll do what we can to help you succeed. UPDC staff > INFORM Learn more about our parks, colleges, businesses, community gardens, and other neighborhood resources. Find out about transportation, trash & recycling, public safety, and more. Stay informed about neighborhood events, activities, and resources. Learn More About Our Community > BOARD Union Park District Council is governed by a volunteer board. Serving on the board is a great way to give back to your community and help ensure that Union Park continues to be a wonderful, diverse and engaging place to live. Visit the Board page > COMMITTEES Union Park’s committees are made up of dedicated and engaged volunteers from our community. They typically meet once a month and work on a broad array of issues including transportation, land development, parks improvements, community building and more. Anyone can join a committee, and all of our committee meetings are open to the public. Visit the Committees page > PROJECTS Our work spans a wide variety of areas that include land use and development, transportation, sustainability, community building, and improving the overall livability and vitality of the Union Park community. We establish Task Forces to address specific issues, completed our ten-year community plan, and always have a community engagement event in the works. Contact us to get involved. Visit the Projects Page >

Barricades Union Park's neighborhoods are known for their connectedness. Making an effort to get to know your neighbors will increase the safety of your block. Participating in -- or hosting -- a block party on National Night Out, on the first Tuesday of August, is a great way to start. BARRICADE RENTAL Union Park has street barricades that community members can use for block parties, neighborhood, or family events. The street barricades are required by the city when you block off your street or alley -- but ours are a more-affordable option than getting them from Public Works. Barricades only cost $40 and also require a $80 deposit which you will get back after returning the barricades. Reservations are first-come, first-served. To borrow our barricades, you must have an event permit from the city. To reserve this equipment, download and return this reservation form to info@unionparkdc.org .

Home > Our Community > Health & Safety Health and Safety Health Resources Search for free or low-cost health options at Bridge to Benefits . Find out if you qualify for Minnesota Medical Assistance . Look for health care coverage through MNSure . Learn about lead content in drinking water, including how to get your household tap water tested for free, at the city of St. Paul website here. Learn about radon, and get information about low-cost radon testing kits, from Ramsey County here . Crime & Safety Information There are many ways to stay in informed and be proactive about crime and safety in Union Park. Our community is part of Saint Paul’s Western District . You can follow the Western District on Facebook , and join them for monthly community meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at both 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at 389 North Hamline Avenue. Vacation Watch Vacation Watch is a free service provided by the Saint Paul Police Department. If you are going to be away from home for 2-30 days, you can register to have Reserve Officers check on your home. If there is any evidence that your home has been tampered with, it will be treated as a possible burglary in progress. Call the Community Services Unit at (651) 266-5485 to sign up. Premises check Another free program provides residents with a security premise evaluation. A Reserve Officer will evaluate your home and discuss lighting, locks, security systems, windows, and other security measures you could take to improve your home’s safety. Some insurance companies provide premium discounts to residents participating in the security audit. Call the Community Services Unit at (651) 266-5485 for more information. Online police reporting You should always call 911 in an emergency or if you are observing suspicious activity in process. However, the Saint Paul Police Department also offers an online police reporting system that allows you to file online police reports for certain incidents that: are non-emergencies occurred within the city of St. Paul have no known suspects did not occur on an interstate freeway are not motivated by bias Burglary of a detached garage, damage to property, fraud and forgery, harassing phone calls, illegal dumping, lost property and theft from automobiles are examples of crimes that can be reported. Once you submit the information, it is reviewed by a police officer, entered into the records management system and assigned a case number. You’ll be emailed a copy of the police report, which can be used for insurance purposes.

Home > Our Work > Committees > Environment & Parks Environment & Parks Committee Our Environment and Parks Committee usually meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the Merriam Park Recreation Center. Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 17th 2020. If you are interested in joining the Committee, you’ll need to attend three consecutive meetings to become a voting member. Learn more about joining a committee here . ​ The Committee identifies community needs within our current parks and explores ideas for future ones, works to secure improvements to our parks, and supports activities within them. The Committee also makes recommendations on the use of funds earned through a cell phone tower lease agreement , for park activities and improvements. If you have an issue you’d like to bring to the Committee, please contact wako@unionparkdc.org .

Home > Our Work > I-94 Rethinking I-94 Join the UPDC I-94 Mailing List Take the UPDC I-94 survey MnDOT has begun planning for the reconstruction of I-94 in the Twin Cities. This will be the first major rebuild since the highway first opened in the 1960s. When it was built, homes and businesses all along the corridor were removed. The heart of the Rondo neighborhood lost 700 homes, 300 businesses and $35 million in intergenerational wealth. In St. Paul, 1 in 8 African Americans lost a home to the highway. Union Park also lost business districts and many homes. Today, harmful emissions from traffic increase risks for asthma, heart disease, and cancer. ​ Community Conversation on October 26th On October 26th 2023, Union Park District Council's Transportation Committee and Bethlehem Lutheran in the Midway co-hosted a Community Conversation about I-94. About 70 people attended to join the discussion about our neighborhood and learn more about MnDOT's Rethinking I-94 project. ​ If you'd like to learn about the current proposed highway alternatives as discussed at the Community Conversation, you can click here to view the meeting slides, here to view MnDOT's alternatives, and here to view an I-94 FAQ. ​ ​ ​ To share your thoughts, get involved, or sign up to stay informed of further developments, please join our I-94 mailing list, and fill out our brief survey about I-94. To learn more about the current process, the history of I-94 in St. Paul, and urban highways, see the resources below. About the current process: MnDOT's Rethinking I-94 Project Page Let’s rebuild I-94 in accord with our vision for a better future Barb Thoman (UPDC Transportation Committee Co-chair) and Debbie Meister (member of Neighborhoods First!), Villager, Feb. 17 2021 ​ Will MnDOT be responsive to communities’ I-94 non-expansion demands? Bill Lindeke, MinnPost, Feb 2, 2021 ​ Reconnect Rondo Position Paper on Rethinking I-94 ​ History of I-94 in St Paul: Read about the history of the Rondo Neighborhood and how it was affected by the highway. MNopedia entry about the Rondo Neighborhood Reconnect Rondo: History ​ Watch TPT documentaries: Interstate 94: A History and its Impact Interstate 94: Today and Tomorrow Almanac: Remembering Rondo with Marvin Anderson History of I-94 in Merriam Park: Preserving a "Fine Residential District" : The Merriam Park Freeway Fight Tom O'Connell and Tom Beer, Ramsey County History, Winter 2013. Prior Ave and the Merriam Park Freeway Fight Andy Singer, Streets.mn, March 14, 2016. "Were it not for a priest and a large group of dedicated community activists, Prior Avenue might look a lot like Snelling and Cretin. From 1959 until 1962, these folks fought a huge battle...to block freeway ramps at Prior.... The community campaign was one of the first neighborhood efforts to resist a freeway in Saint Paul and one of the only ones to succeed.... Community organizers needed...tactics like lining up 1,500 children along Prior Avenue from Saint Marks School, five blocks to the proposed freeway ramps in a protest that helped galvanize the neighborhood." More information about urban highways: "Revisiting the Urban Interstate: Freeway to the Future, or Road to Ruin?" Video recording of MoveMinneapolis 2021 Transportation Summit, May 18, 2021. ​ Near Roadway Air Pollution and Health: Frequently Asked Questions. US Environmental Protection Agency, 2013. ​ Proximity to Major Roadways. US Department of Transportation, 2015. ​ Traffic, Air Pollution, Minority and Socio-Economic Status: Addressing Inequities in Exposure and Risk. Gregory C. Pratt, et al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, May 2015. "Populations on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum and minorities were disproportionately exposed to traffic and air pollution and at a disproportionately higher risk for adverse health outcomes. Despite driving less, the air pollution impacts were higher from all sources—especially transportation sources—at non-white and low SES households that tended to be closer to the urban core. In contrast, block groups with more white and higher SES populations, often located outside the urban core, tended to have higher rates of car ownership and to drive more while the air pollution impacts at their homes tended to be lower from all sources. Recognizing these inequities can inform decision-making to reduce them." Quantifying Traffic Exposure. Gregory C. Pratt, et al., Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, September 2013. ​ Deconstruction Ahead: How Urban Highway Removal Is Changing Our Cities. Kathleen McCormick, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, April 2020. ​ Freeway Revolts! Jeffrey Brinkman and Jeffrey Lin, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Working Paper, July 2019. Mapping the Effects of the Great 1960s ‘Freeway Revolts’ Linda Poon, Bloomberg CityLab, July 23, 2019. "Inside cities, commuting benefits were eclipsed by the negative effects on the quality of life for those who lived near freeways. In city after city, urban highways split neighborhoods, walling residents off behind impenetrable “border vacuums ” and creating barriers that blocked communities from accessing opportunities across town. That, in turn, hindered employment and income growth, and made travel within cities more difficult.... Over time, the construction of urban freeways sped population loss and lowered land values in city neighborhoods." Join the UPDC I-94 Mailing List Take the UPDC I-94 survey

Home > Covid-19 Resources COVID-19 Information, Resources, and Ways to Help or Get Help Union Park District Council is following the guidance of the Minnesota Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control to slow the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and help protect the health and safety of its staff, partners and the community. General Information The State of Minnesota's peacetime emergency preventing property owners from evicting residents for not paying rent has ended. Financial assistance is available to renters who owe rent and have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Ramsey County and the City of Saint Paul have teamed up to create the Saint Paul -Ramsey County Rent Assistance Program , a new tenant assistance program for Ramsey County renters struggling to pay rent due to the financial burdens of COVID-19.RentHelpMN is available for COVID-19 emergency rent and utility bill assistance is currently prioritizing renters who owe back rent. Eligible renters can receive help with rent and utility bills dated on or after March 13, 2020. Apply for RentHelpMN online or call 211. The 211 helpline has dedicated multilingual staff available to answer questions about RentHelpMN 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Housing and Utilities UTILITIES: Questions about your recycling collection during Covid-19? Visit staul.gov/recycle or use Eureka Recycling’s app to get the most up-to-date information about your recycling service. Search “Eureka Recycling” in your app store or use the app online at www.eurekarecycling.org . Xcel Energy COVID-19 Response HOUSING: COVID-19: Court Changes for Housing, Family, and OFP Cases National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) Coronovirus and Homelessness Webinars- NLIHC FHFA Suspends Foreclosures and Evictions for Enterprise-Backed Mortgages Hennepin and Ramsey's counties authorize $4.8 million for quarantine spaces for homeless Senate passes coronavirus emergency aid, sending the plan to the president ADVOCATE! Join Homes for All in advocating for a housing relief package Enterprise calls for housing investments A People-Centered Response to COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Income, Food Support, Basic Needs On March 16, 2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order to ensure workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic have full access to unemployment benefits. The executive order makes applicants eligible for unemployment benefits if : A healthcare professional or health authority recommended or ordered them to avoid contact with others. They have been ordered not to come to their workplace due to an outbreak of a communicable disease. They have received notification from a school district, daycare, or other childcare providers that either classes are canceled or the applicant’s ordinary childcare is unavailable, provided that the applicant made reasonable effort to obtain other childcare and requested time off or other accommodation from the employer and no reasonable accommodation was available. MORE INFORMATION FOR WORKERS: Unemployment insurance What workers need to know about unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 emergency Programs and restaurants offering food to families in Minnesota SPPS Bus Routes are now food drop-off locations . An adult needs to accompany kids to pick up food. Don’t need the food? Still, pick it up to share with neighbors who might. Ramsey County Employment Assistance Greater Twin Cities United Way’s 2-1-1 Resource Hotline : If you or someone you know is in need, dial 2-1-1 or text the letters MNCOVID to 898-211 . Their Certified Community Resource Specialists are trained to make appropriate referrals for people who believe they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. They also are available to provide local resources related to accessing food, paying housing bills and other essential services. Another helpful resource is our 2-1-1 website. Small Business Support Got a small business in Minnesota that closed due to COVID-19? Do this next. Enterprise calls for community development investments Grand Avenue Business Association List of Store Updates Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers (CDC) Minnesota Department of Health: COVID-19 Information for Businesses and Employers National Retail Federation Coronavirus Resources for Retailers

Home > Our Community > Environment Environment There are many resources available to help care for our environment here in Union Park. Find out about about trash and recycling, compost, protecting our water system, gardening and planting trees, and more. For more information, see the Environment and Parks committee page . Recycling The City of Saint Paul has a contract with Eureka Recycling to pick up residential recycling, including apartment buildling recycling. Please put your recyclables out on the street curb by 7:00 a.m. each Monday (for most residences in Union Park). No need to sort the items; all recyclable items can be mixed. For details on what can (and cannot) be recycled, download Saint Paul's Guide to Recycling . If you have any questions about your recycling schedule or missed pickups, please call Eureka Recycling's Zero Waste Hotline at 651-222-7678. Recycling Changes The City of Saint Paul has rolled out wheeled carts for recycling! Weekly collection at all single family and smaller multi-unit buildlings (through 11 units) is now done in 64 gallon wheeled, lidded carts placed where trash is collected. More acceptable materials will be included in this new service, including paper tubes (from paper towels), paper food tubes (Pringles™), refrigerator boxes (like butter boxes). All multi-unit dwellings have an opportunity to recycle, so talk with your landlord about recycling if your building isn't set up to recycle. Check out more information about the City's recycling program here at stpaul.gov/recycle . You can also call (651)-266-6199. Trash On October 1, 2018, the City launched citywide garbage service, a new coordinated garbage collection system where each street/alley has one designated residential garbage hauler and prices and services are consistent across Saint Paul. For more information, visit their website . Still have questions? Call (651) 266-6101 or email garbage@ci.stpaul.mn.us . Disposing of Other Items The City of Saint Paul coordinates Citywide Drop-Off Events where residents can dispose of a wide variety of items including appliances, mattresses, construction waste, and more. If you can't wait for a cleanup, you can call the Ramsey County Solid Waste & Recycling Hotline 24/7 at 651-633-EASY (3279) or visit Ramsey County's helpful website to learn how to dispose of bulky or hard-to-recycle items. Rethink Recycling, a guide for waste and recycling in the Twin Cities, has information on reducing waste and recycling a wide range of items at www.rethinkrecycling.com . Many electronics and small appliance items can be recycled at Tech Dump . You are also encouraged to sell or give away reusable items on sites such as Facebook , Craigslist , or at our local Goodwill . Composting The nearest composting site run by Ramsey County is at 1943 Pierce Butler Route, St. Paul, MN 55114. The site takes both compostable yard waste and kitchen organics. Union Park residents are encouraged to dispose of household organics at the Macalester-Groveland Organics Recycling Drop-off Site . If you'd like to collect compost at home, the Recycling Association of Minnesota sells compost bins at low cost each year. For more information, visit RecycleMinnesota.org . Adopt a Storm Drain Storm drains in Saint Paul drain to local lakes and the Mississippi River. The Adopt a Drain program asks residents to adopt a drain in their neighborhood and commit to keeping it clear of leaves and other debris to reduce water pollution. Visit adopt-a-drain.org to learn more! Capitol Region Watershed District Union Park is part of the Capitol Region Watershed District, a local unit of government dedicated to protecting, managing and improving water resources. CRWD works across geographic and political boundaries to protect the health of the District’s wetlands, lakes, streams and river. Through research, planning and action, CRWD helps solve and prevent water-related problems within the 40 square-mile District. Learn more at www.capitolregionwd.org . Minnesota Water Stewards Developed by Freshwater Society in 2013, the Minnesota Water Stewards program is a volunteer program designed to equip community members with the knowledge and skills needed to improve water health at the grassroots level. Stewards are certified by participating in a broad training curriculum designed by experts in the fields of hydrology, stormwater management and groundwater health, water policy, community-based social marketing, landscape assessment, and installation of clean water practices. At the end of the certification process, all Stewards complete a capstone project that improves the health of local water while involving and educating their community. Stewards then become a point of knowledge and influence in their communities. Learn more at minnesotawaterstewards.org Boulevard Gardens and Rain Gardens Residents may plant gardens in the boulevard areas. There is no permit fee required for these gardens. Residents may also create boulevard rain gardens . Rain gardens require a completed form and may also require permits. Planting Trees in Your Yard or Boulevard In your yard: A permit is not required for planting trees on private property. However property owners should consider the following when planting a new tree: planting location, tree type, size at maturity, cold hardiness, maintenance requirements, etc. Remember to have utilities located by Gopher State One Call before you dig. In your boulevard: Property owners are encouraged to plant trees to help beautify Saint Paul. If you apply for a permit to plant a tree, forestry staff will provide tree species and planting location recommendations. A list of suggested tree species is available . Please follow these steps if you would like to plant a tree in the boulevard: Apply for a free permit and submit the permit to Forestry via email, fax, or mail. Consult Forestry: Forestry staff will review the permit, assess the boulevard, and contact you with the planting location and tree species selection information. Requests will be denied if the boulevard does not meet the minimum planting criteria. Locate Utilities before Planting: Contact Gopher State One Call before you dig so that underground utilities can be located. There is no cost for this service. The city of St. Paul has more information here . Pollinators Bees Learn about bees from the University of Minnesota's Bee Lab . Pollinator Gardens Learn more about how your garden can attract bees and other pollinators here . Ramsey County Master Gardeners Have any kind of gardening question? Get it answered by a Master Gardener ! Emerald Ash Borers ​ Emerald ash borers (EAB) are a destructive insect pest that attacks and kills all species of ash trees native to North America. Learn more at the city website . Recycling Learn what can and cannot go in your recycling bin here.