375kShady Oak Beach opens June 6 for the summer season and will remain open through August 24. Hours at the beach are 10 am–9 pm through August 3, and 10 am–8 pm after August 3. Swimming in the lake ends 1/2 hour before sunset. Amenities at Shady Oak Beach include two sand play areas, water play area, sand volleyball court, concession stand, and restroom/changing areas. All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
2008 Beach Fees
Season Passes—Shady Oak Beach season passes are sold through the City of Minnetonka Recreation Services office, Monday-Friday, 8 am–4:30 pm. Call 952-939-8203 or visit Minnetonka City Hall. (Season passes are not available at Hopkins City Hall.) Visa or Master Card is accepted. Season passes are also available at the beach.
| purchased by June 5 | Residents* | Non-residents |
| 1-3 passes | $12/person | $24/person |
| Additional passes | $6/person | $12/person |
| purchased after June 5 | Residents* | Non-residents |
| 1-3 passes | $17/person | $29/person |
| Additional passes | $8/person | $15/person |
*Residents of Hopkins & Minnetonka
Beginning this year, membership ID cards will be required. ID cards may be picked up at Minnetonka City Hall through June 5 and at the beach after June 5.
Daily Fees—Daily fees for entry to Shady Oak Beach can be purchased at the gate. Daily Admission is $5/person (Twilight rates of $3/person apply after 6 pm). Ages 2 and under are free.
The City of Hopkins provides funds for low and moderate-income homeowners to assist in improving their homes. Improvements must be permanent and address safety, habitability, or energy efficiency issues. Loans are offered at 3% interest with a twelve-year term; grants do not require repayment provided the homeowner lives in the home for six years after the work is completed. The maximum loan or grant is $20,000.
To be eligible for a grant or loan, the homeowners must meet income and other eligibility requirements. For more information, contact the Community Development Coordinator at 952-548-6343.
Another financing option is the Fix-up and Community Fix-up Fund loan programs of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. Both loan programs provide eligible households with funds to carry out deferred maintenance, energy, health and safety activities and value-added improvements to their homes. The Fix-Up Loan has a maximum household income of $93,100 and a maximum loan amount of $35,000 at an interest rate that is currently 6.25%. The Community Fix-Up Fund is targeted for pre-1970 homes in a specific neighborhood of Hopkins. It has a maximum household income of $93,100—interest rates vary depending on the particulars of the loan.
For more information on the Fix-Up Fund programs, visit www.mnhousing.gov.
The Hopkins Business & Civic Association will again sponsor Music In The Park concerts in Downtown Park at 16 9th Ave S (just south of the clock tower). Music in the Park concerts are free. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket—refreshments are always available. The regular concert series begins June 26 at 7 pm with the 1st John Philip Sousa Memorial Band. For a complete concert schedule, visit www.thinkhopkins.com.
Summer Crafting Opportunities at the Hopkins Activity Center
Scrapbooking Basics Class
Thursday, June 12, 10 am–noon
Pat Arent, Creative Memories Consultant, will show you how to use the basic tools and methods to display your photos. Bring a current pack of photos. Ongoing scrapbooking group meets every Thursday, 10 am. Call to register. Frequent Card holders $8; Non Card holders $10.
Helping Hands Volunteer Group
Community service group that knits or crochets finger puppets, hats, mittens and scarves for infants, children, and adults for area service groups. Finger puppets are especially needed. Patterns & Yarn available. Yarn donations accepted. To become a Helping Hands volunteer call the Hopkins Activity Center at 952-939-1333.
The Hopkins Activity Center is located at 33 14th Ave N in Hopkins. Call 952-939-1333 with questions or to register.
Watch Where You Post Garage Sale Signs
If you are planning a garage sale this summer, please remember that posting signs on utility poles, light poles, traffic light poles, or stop sign poles on the public right-of-way, including boulevards and intersections, is strictly prohibited in the City of Hopkins.
City Code 800.03 states unauthorized signs placed on public property will be removed and destroyed. Signs cannot be posted on private property without obtaining prior permission from the property owner.
Free Yard Waste/Brush Drop Off Site Is Open
Drop off your yard waste and brush for free on Wednesdays from 2–7 pm and Saturdays from 9 am–3 pm. The drop off site is located at 3100 Hopkins Crossroads (on the west side of County Road 73, approximately two blocks north of County Road 5).
Please note:
- Only brush and yard waste from Hopkins residential properties can be accepted.
- Driver licenses will be checked to ensure residency requirement.
- Residents must unload and unbag their materials at the site.
- Brush/yard waste from yard maintenance companies will not be accepted.
- Logs or lumber will not be accepted.
Yard Waste & Brush Curbside Pick Up
If you prefer to have your yard waste & brush picked up curbside by the City for a fee, follow these guidelines.
Yard waste bags must have a yard waste sticker affixed to be collected. Yard Waste stickers are $2 each and available at Hopkins City Hall or Hopkins Public Works. A minimum of 10 stickers may also be ordered by phone at 952-939-1382. Phone order charges will be placed on your utility bill. Yard waste bags will be picked up the same day as refuse. Bags must be placed at your refuse pick up location.
Brush pick ups take place on Tuesdays. To schedule a brush pick up call 952-939-1382 before 2 pm on Monday. Brush should be placed on the boulevard, parallel to the street. The pick up charge ($8 for up to 5 cubic yards, $20 for 5–17 cubic yards, and $30 for each 18 cubic yards/truckloads) will be placed on the resident’s utility bill.
Hennepin County is hosting free tours of the Eco-Yard Midtown demonstration site where residents can learn about environmentally friendly, sustainable landscaping from a landscape restoration specialist. Demonstrations teach how to incorporate lower maintenance lawn, trees and shrubs, prairie, bird and butterfly gardens, a grass swale and rainwater garden into an urban landscape.
The tours are scheduled from 10 am–noon on May 24, June 14 (10 am–2 pm), and July 12. The Eco-Yard Midtown is located at 2801 21st Ave S (intersection of the Midtown Greenway and the Hiawatha Light Rail Line in Minneapolis). The tours are free, but registration is required. You can register online at www.hennepin.us, keyword: midtown tours, or call 612-348-9266
Remember to groom the grass and weeds on your property. Grass and weeds higher than 10 inches are considered a nuisance and a citation will be issued. If City crews have to maintain your grass and weeds, you will be charged for the service.
Beer and wine in non-glass containers are allowed with a permit in Downtown, Central, Valley, and Burnes parks. Alcohol use in all other City Parks is strictly prohibited.
Residents interested in obtaining an alcohol permit for a picnic shelter reservation should contact Recreation Services at 952-939-8203. For an alcohol permit not affiliated with a picnic shelter, residents should call Hopkins City Hall, 952-935-8474. Permits are $25 per requested date.
Due to Memorial Day, Monday through Thursday refuse and recycling collection for the week of May 26 will be delayed one day.
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