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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.

Home > Our Community > Parks Parks Union Park is home to a number of beautiful parks, a variety of other green spaces, and the Merriam Park Recreation Center . ​ City of St. Paul Parks and Recreation Department Park Permits and Rentals Union Park’s Environment and Parks Committee Aldine Park 1717 Iglehart Avenue ​ Desnoyer Park 525 Pelham Boulevard ​ Dickerman Park 1753 University Avenue ​ Dunning Park 1221 Marshall Avenue ​ Hamline & Hague Park (Tot-Lot) 1328 Hague Avenue ​ Iris Park 1884 University Avenue West ​ Meeker Island Dog Park 471 Mississippi River Boulevard North ​ Meeker Island Lock and Dam Historic Site 471 Mississippi River Boulevard North ​ Merriam Park 2000 St. Anthony Avenue ​ Midway Peace Park 416 Griggs St N ​ Mississippi Gorge Regional Park 50 Mississippi River Blvd. S. ​ Pelham Triangle 355 Pelham Avenue ​ Shadow Falls Park 30 Mississippi River Boulevard North ​

Home > Our Community > Housing Housing Resources for students, renters, homeowners, unsheltered neighbors, and how to find help.​ Unsheltered Neighbors To help connect someone in need of shelter, contact 651-291-1111, 651-266-7818, or AdultShelterReferrals@co.ramsey.mn.us If you see concerning conditions that threaten the health/safety of individuals experiencing houselessness call 651-266-8989 (M-F 7:30am - 4:30pm) Ramsey county offers housing resources and support. St. Paul has a page about its response to unsheltered homelessness during Covid-19 here. Resources for Renters As of March 1, 2021, renters in St. Paul are covered by S.A.F.E. housing tenant protections . HOME Line MN is a tenant advocacy organization that provides free and low-cost legal, organizing, education, and advocacy services so that tenants throughout Minnesota can solve their own rental housing problems. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has resources for finding and paying for rental housing. Housing link has a Covid-19 resources page for renters. Energy, Food, and Housing support Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties offers a variety of services to help meet the immediate needs of people living in Ramsey and Washington counties. They can help you pay your heat and water bills, keep your home safe and warm, access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, get your home weatherized, apply for a car loan, and assist you with filing your taxes. Excel Energy offers appliance repair, refrigerator recycling services, home energy audits, rebates for efficient appliances, and other help to find ways to save money and energy. The Center for Energy and Environment offers a variety of programs and resources for improving home energy efficiency. Student Housing Did you know that there is a "Student Housing Overlay District" which covers parts of Mac Groveland and Merriam Park? Properties renting to students in the overlay district must meet certain requirements, and register with the city. A student dwelling is a one- or two-family dwelling requiring a fire certificate of occupancy (non-owner occupied) in which at least one unit is occupied by at least three students. Learn more at the city website here . Radon Radon is a naturally-occurring, radioactive gas. It is odorless, tasteless and invisible. Radon may enter a home anywhere there is an opening between the home and the soil. These openings include cracks in the foundation, floor drains and sumps. Learn about radon, and get information about low-cost radon testing kits, from Ramsey County here . Lead Lead is a toxic metal that was used for many years in products in and around our homes. It can be found in many homes and buildings that were built before 1978. Homes built in St. Paul before 1927 may have lead water supply lines. 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. Ramsey County has information about dealing with household lead here .

2024 Senior Recycling Pickup Have any difficult-to-dispose electronics or small appliances lying around? We'd like to help you out! Volunteers will be collecting bulky items around our community for no delivery cost. Please use the form below to indicate if you have anything we can pick up, and your contact details. Some items have a recycling fee; prices can be found on the form as well. Pickup Form We are looking for volunteers as well! If this is something you would be interested in contributing to, please fill out the form below. Thank you! Volunteer Form

Home > Our Work > Projects Programs & 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. Micro-Grants The Union Park District Council is proud to announce the continuation of its Micro-Grant Program! Learn More > Midway Peace Park St. Paul's Newest Park: the culmination of a decade-long dream. Learn More > Neighbors United Funding Collborative The Neighbors United Funding Collaborative is a community-fund supporting the communities of Midway and Union Park. Learn More > Block Ambassador Handbook Build community, relationships, and solutions on your block and in your neighborhood! Learn More > Solidarity Fund The Union Park and Lex-Ham Solidarity Fund is a grassroots funding effort to provide economic relief for residents. Our goal is to provide housing assistance through one-time, $500 grants to households, to be administered by Keystone Community Services. Learn More > Tent/Barricade/Compost and Recycling Rental Information for reserving a tent, barricade, or compost rental for block parties or other community events! Learn More > Park Improvement Fund Our Environment and Parks Committee (E&P) makes recommendations on the use of funds earned through a cell phone tower lease agreement. Learn More > Ten-Year Community Plan Union Park's finalized ten-year vision plan for the district, which identifies priority policies and strategies for growth, investment, and development in our neighborhoods. Learn More > Allianz Field A Major League Soccer franchise, Minnesota United FC, has come to the Twin Cities, and the owners have built a soccer-specific stadium at Snelling and University. Learn More > Saint Paul Greenway Read about Union Park's involvement in connecting the Midtown Greenway to St. Paul. Learn More > Snow Removal Find resources for Alley Plowing, Street Plowing, Sidewalk snow removal, and more. Learn More >

Home > Our Community > Community Gardens Community Gardens Merriam Station Community Garden The Merriam Station Community Gardeners have actively transformed a previously neglected tract of land into a true community treasure. They have made affordable garden plots readily available to a diverse group of gardeners, and have promoted the growth and consumption of fresh organic food throughout our neighborhoods. This valued community asset benefits not only its membership but the broader community through contributions to a local food shelf, educational opportunities, and engaging events, and increased public safety. Merriam Station Community Garden is located on a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) right-of-way along Gilbert Avenue just north of I-94 and just west of Prior Avenue. Learn More about Merriam Station Commmunity Garden . Eleanor Graham Community Garden The Eleanor Graham Community Garden was established in 1981 on land leased from St. Paul Public Works and is being enhanced year by year. Staying true to its original vision, about half of the plots are rented by neighborhood apartment dwellers. Full size plots (20x15 ft) rent for $40 annually and half-plots (10x15 ft) for $20. Gardeners are required to volunteer two hours per month to maintain Garden common areas: flower beds, native pollinator habitat, compost bins, food shelf plots, and lawn space. The Garden is also home to two ancient bur oak trees, an orchard, and honeybee hives. Eleanor Graham Community Garden is located on the triangle formed by Hamline Avenue, Ashland Avenue, and Ayd Mill Road. Most gardeners bike or walk to the garden, but street parking is close by. A broad footpath under the Hamline Bridge at Laurel Avenue permits access without having to cross Hamline. A bicycle/pedestrian path now runs along the Garden’s southern perimeter to provide access to the new off-street bicycle/pedestrian trail along Ayd Mill Road. If you are interested in renting a plot, email egcommunitygardenstp@gmail.com . Dunning Community Garden At the corner of N. Griggs St. and Concordia Ave. Contact dunninggardenstp@gmail.com