Shady Oak Beach Opens Today
with Significant Modifications

• The beach will open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• A pass is not required to enter and use Shady Oak Beach this season.
• The beach will NOT be staffed with a lifeguard. Swim at your own risk and with caution. Please be safe!
• Buoys will outline the swimming area.
• The playground is open for use.
• The dock will remain closed all season.
• The high dive will remain closed all season.
• Pets are not allowed.
• There will be no concessions, rentals, amenities or obstacle course.
• There will be no full-time beach attendant. Part-time staff will clean the area daily.
• Drinking fountains and the foot wash stations are shut off for the season. Bring plenty of water and stay hydrated.
• Indoor bathrooms are closed for the season. However, there will be additional portable toilets onsite.
• Social distancing requirements apply at all times. Please do not enter the beach if you are feeling sick. It's a great idea to bring hand sanitizer, too.
• And last but not least ... have fun! It's why we're opening it after all!

Hopkins Farmers Market Opens for the Season June 20

The Hopkins Farmers Market opens for the season on Saturday, June 20. The market is open Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to noon and is located at 16 9th Avenue S. All vendors will be required to wear a face mask or face shield, and customers are encouraged to wear a face mask, as well. Shopping will be in a one-way path and six feet of social distancing is required. Hand washing stations with soap, water and hand sanitizer will be available.  More information about the market is available here.

Vote Early by Mail: Absentee Voting for
Primary Election is Underway

In Minnesota, you do not have to wait until Election Day to vote. Request an absentee ballot application at MNVotes.org or by calling Hopkins election officials at 952-548-6302. 
City Clerk Amy Domeier reminds those who vote by absentee ballot to follow these steps:

• Complete your 2020 Minnesota Absentee Ballot Application. Check the box labeled “Both 8/11 and 11/3 Elections” to receive a ballot for each election. Return the completed application in the prepaid envelope.
• After your absentee ballot application is approved, Hennepin County election officials will mail your absentee ballot materials June 26. If you apply after this date, your ballot will be sent when the application is received.
• Review the instructions carefully. Any mistakes like forgetting your signature could cause your ballot to be rejected.
• You’ll need a witness who must be a Minnesota Registered Voter or a Notary to help you complete your materials and make sure only you filled out your ballot. Your witness must also sign and provide their address.
• If you are not registered to vote, you’ll show your witness one of many identification options to prove your name and current residence. Your witness must mark the ID you showed them on your ballot materials.
• Once you’re done, package everything up in the prepaid envelope and return it right away to Hennepin County. If your ballot is received after Election Day, your vote will not count.

Hennepin County election officials will check that you and your witness filled out the signature envelope correctly. If you did not fill out the signature envelope correctly, election officials will mail you replacement materials, including an explanation why your signature envelope was rejected. If it’s within five days of Election Day, election officials will send you a replacement ballot and try to contact you. If this happens, you can hand deliver your completed replacement ballot to Hopkins City Hall by 3 p.m. Election Day or you can vote in person at your polling place. Your rejected ballot will be recorded as rejected.

If your signature envelope is correct, election staff will mark your ballot as accepted. Your ballot will be stored securely. Starting 14 days before Election Day, Hennepin County election officials will open your signature envelope and run your ballot in the ballot counter like you would have done on Election Day.

You can track the status of your ballot online to make sure it was received and counted at mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx.

Find more information about voting early with an absentee ballot here.

Meetings & Events

• July 3 - City Offices Closed 
• July 14 - City Council Meeting

Quick Links

Ask the City |  City of Hopkins Website | Think Hopkins Website