May - 
570k
Table of Contents
2006 Road Construction Projects
Park Board Considering Dog Park In
Valley Park
Spring Collection Of Residents'
Household Hazardous Waste
REMINDER: Yard Waste Bags &
Brush Pick Up
Music at the Center for the Arts
Park Bench Dedication A place for your dedications to live
The Park Bench Dedication Program provides a unique opportunity for residents and the business community to make a lasting remembrance. Eight park benches remain to be purchased for the Downtown Park. For only $700 individuals, families or businesses can dedicate one of the park benches in honor of a family name, business or in memory of a loved one. Each 6 foot stylistic bench will proudly display your dedication on a 4" X 6" cast aluminum plaque.
The Anderson family dedicated the first bench in loving memory of Bob and Pat Anderson. This bench is one of eighteen benches purchased since the program started in 2003.
Whether you visit Downtown Park to drink that first cup of coffee, listen to Music in the Park, eat lunch or to just escape from life's pressures, a dedicated park bench will help others enjoy the generous gift that you have given.
If you are interested in dedicating a bench, please contact Ray Vogtman at 952-548-6372.
2006 Road Construction Projects
Residential Street Reconstruction (18th–20th Avenues South)
This project includes the removal and replacement of the asphalt streets and selected utility repairs. Work is scheduled to begin in early June with the replacement of natural gas services. Construction of the street segments will start in late June and continue through the summer. Access to all homes will be maintained during the project.
County Road 73 & 5 (Hopkins Crossroads & Minnetonka Blvd)
This project continues this year with the construction of walking trails, and the final lift of asphalt pavement. We do not anticipate the closing the intersection for this work and the contractor should conclude by the end of July.
Seal Coating
The Public Works Division is working to set up seal coating of residential streets in the Interlachen neighborhoods this summer. Parking will be restricted for a few days during this work. Watch for parking restriction signs to be posted prior to the start of the project.
Excelsior Boulevard Landscaping
This project includes center medians with landscaping, new street lights, City monument sign and upgraded 8th Avenue intersection. Expect lane closures during the project work on the boulevard and medians. Completion is expected in September.
For more information about upcoming construction projects, go to www.hopkinsmn.com.
Park Board Considering Dog Park In Valley Park
The Hopkins Park Board is considering a project to build a dog park in Hopkins. Simply stated, a dog park is a fenced, off-leash play area for dogs to play and their owners to socialize. If approved, the park would open this year with the proposed location at the south end of Valley Park, just north of the archery range and just east of Westbrooke Way. The Park Board will hold a public informational meeting on this proposed project as a part of its May 15, 2006 Park Board meeting. The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm at Hopkins City Hall, 1010 1st Street South. The Park Board encourages all residents with interest in a dog park or with questions or concerns to attend this important meeting.
Spring Collection Of Residents' Household Hazardous Waste
Hennepin County has three community events scheduled this spring for household hazardous waste and problem materials collection from Hopkins residents:
May 4–6, 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Independence City Hall Parking Lot (1920 Co Rd 90, Independence, MN)
May 18–20, 9:00 am–4:00 pm
City of Minnetonka Public Works Department (11522 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN)
June 8–10, 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Louisiana Oaks Park, South Parking Lot( 3500 Louisiana Ave, St Louis Park, MN)
For more information and a list of items that are accepted, visit www.hopkinsmn.com.
REMINDER: Yard Waste Bags & Brush Pick Up
Free curbside yard waste and brush pick up ends Thursday, May 11. Beginning the week of May 15, yard waste bags must have a yard waste sticker on them to be picked up and the fee for brush pick up will be placed on residents' utility bills.
One person can make a difference. One property owner can remove that accumulated pile of stuff out by the alley, or paint the garage, or keep the yard looking neat. One resident can pick up that plastic bottle in the street, or that piece of paper blowing around in the park. One person can call the Razzle line 952-939-1421 to report that junk car.
The City places a high priority on maintaining a clean nuisance-free environment. The City's Code Enforcement Officer, Liz Page (952-548-6323), follows up on nuisance complaints. She will work with the property owners to resolve the nuisance. She also has the ability to issue citations when property owners do not cooperate.
One person can make a difference but one person cannot do it alone. It is important for every resident to take an ownership role in the maintaining Hopkins quality of life. All of us need to do our part to keep Hopkins a clean and attractive place to live, work, and play.
Music at the Center for the Arts
Thursday, May 18, 6:00–8:00 pm
3 Photographers On Site: Jay Anderson, Sylvia Horwitz, James H. Sullivan, Charles D. Redepenning Gallery
Design Invitational: Capstone projects by selected University of Minnesota graduate students in architecture, Lobby Gallery (both levels)
Saturday, May 20, 7:30 pm
Sax Summit (hosted by Laura Caviani): The Caviani Trio back up 7 of the area's leading jazz sax players in a one-of-a-kind performance. For tickets, call 952-979-1111 or visit www.hopkinsartscenter.com. (The public is invited to come at 6:30 pm for our 2006/07 concert season kick-off reception and the chance to purchase season tickets at a discount.)
Free Yard Waste & Brush Drop Off
The Yard Waste & Brush Drop Off location at 3100 Hopkins Crossroads (the west side of County Road 73, approximately two blocks north of County Road 5) will open Saturday, May 6. The scheduled hours of operation will be Wednesdays, 2:00–7:00 pm and Saturdays, 9:00 am–3:00 pm.
Only brush and yard waste generated by Hopkins residential properties will be accepted. Driver licenses will be checked to ensure residency requirements. Residents must unload and debag their materials at the site. Branches must be no longer than 15 feet in length or 6 inches in diameter.
With the onset of warmer weather several buildings in Hopkins have been vandalized with graffiti. None of the graffiti has been linked to gang activity; most appears to be simple vandalism called tagging. Officers have arrested two juveniles for tagging in the last month. Both of the suspects charged by officers were responsible for multiple vandalism events.
A reward of $250 has been offered by the Hopkins Crime Fund Board for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in spraying graffiti in Hopkins.
If you have information on possible suspects, please contact the Hopkins Police Department at 952-938-8885. Persons providing information may be able to have their identity protected. If you suffer graffiti on your home or business, please contact the Police Department before cleaning or painting over the damage. In many cases photographs of past cases can be linked to suspects once they are identified.
Recycling collection is May 1–4, 15–18, and 30–June 2 (due to Memorial Day).
Refuse collection is May 1–4, 8–11, 15–18, 22–25, and 30–June 2 (due to Memorial Day).